Is High Blood Pressure Dangerous During Pregnancy?

High blood pressure during pregnancy can affect the body in different ways than it normally does. In this case, the mother and baby may be at risk of complications.

High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pushes blood through the arteries that carry it throughout the body. Hypertension, on the other hand, means that the pressure in the arteries is above the normal range. High blood pressure during pregnancy can affect the body in different ways than it normally does. Expectant mothers with high blood pressure during pregnancy are at higher risk of complications before, during, and after childbirth. Not only is the mother's health in danger, the baby can be adversely affected by high blood pressure during pregnancy.

High Blood Pressure Risk Groups During Pregnancy

A woman is considered more likely to develop high blood pressure during pregnancy if:

• Being under the age of 20 or over the age of 40.
• Having a history of chronic hypertension.
• Having had hypertension in previous pregnancies.
• Having a family history of hypertension.
• Being diabetic.
• Being overweight.
• Having an immune system disorder such as lupus.
• Presence of kidney disease.
• Expecting more than one baby.
• Getting pregnant through IVF.

Is High Blood Pressure Dangerous During Pregnancy?

High blood pressure during pregnancy can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood. The amount of blood falling into the placenta can lead to low birth weight. Complications other than high blood pressure can occur during pregnancy. These conditions do not happen to all women with high blood pressure.

Possible dangers of this situation:

• Seizures in the mother.
• The state of being paralyzed.
• Transient renal failure.
• Facing liver problems.
• Occurrence of blood coagulation problems.
• Premature birth of a baby.

Is There a Treatment for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?

Hypertension during pregnancy can be treated in different ways, depending on its severity, cause, and time of onset. Close monitoring of mothers with all kinds of hypertension is a very important detail. This may include more prenatal visits, ultrasounds, and other tests to make sure the baby is doing well.

Can High Blood Pressure Be Prevented During Pregnancy?

Because the cause of high blood pressure during pregnancy is unknown, it is usually not preventable. For some women at high risk of developing high blood pressure, health officials often recommend daily baby aspirin for prevention. High blood pressure during pregnancy can sometimes be managed and kept under control with the help of a healthcare professional. However, this can often require the birth of the baby. Your blood pressure will be checked regularly during prenatal appointments. If you have any concerns about your blood pressure, you should talk to your doctor.