Although many pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems, high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Women with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. However, some women develop high blood pressure while they are pregnant (often called gestational hypertension).
The effects of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother’s kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia-or “toxemia of pregnancy”-which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.
What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is sometimes also referred to as “pregnancy induced hypertension.” Developing around 20 weeks gestation, the major indicator of preeclampsia is a rise in blood pressure. Hypertension is defined as two blood pressure readings of 140/90 or above in a 6 hour period. Any reading that increases by 30 to a person’s normal reading should also be monitored. A woman suffering from preeclampsia will also have protein in their urine. PIH or just pregnancy induced hypertension is also a potentially serious condition, but protein will not be present in the urine. Protein in the urine indicates kidney damage.
When blood pressure rises, blood vessels constrict. This causes less blood flow to the placenta. With less blood flow, less oxygen and nutrients are reaching the fetus. Other vital organs in the mother’s body are also receiving a reduced blood flow. Elevated blood pressure also starts damaging vessel walls.
Women who suffer with chronic hypertension before becoming pregnant are at risk for preeclampsia and will need to be monitored closely for complications.
Preeclampsia Risk Factors
There is no definite cause for preeclampsia or explanation as to why it affects certain women. There are believed to be several risk factors associated with the condition.
- Having chronic hypertension
- Obesity
- Multiple fetuses
- Kidney or liver disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Age
- Genetics-Female family members who have had preeclampsia
- Diabetes
Preeclampsia is also noted to be common with first time pregnancies. Future pregnancies can go without complication or possibly milder forms.
Preeclampsia Treatment
The earlier the condition arises and the severity, the higher risk for complications.
The only way to relieve preeclampsia is to deliver the placenta.
Mild preeclampsia that arises close to a woman’s due date could call for a labor induction. A doctor would probably order a sonogram to check fetal health along with non-stress testing. Blood pressure and urine tests will continue to be monitored.
Mild preeclampsia that develops further away from a woman’s due date won’t necessarily mean induction, but a doctor would require daily blood pressure monitoring and modified activity. Blood pressure is generally lower at rest.
Severe preeclampsia almost always requires hospitalization. Severe preeclampsia could have a woman in the hospital on bed rest for weeks.
Preeclampsia can rapidly develop during labor and has also appeared up to six weeks post partum.
Many women feel fine, even when preeclampsia is severe, often becoming frustrated when told to limit activity. It is important to understand the severity of the condition.
Preeclampsia Symptoms
Many times, preeclampsia has no symptoms. Other symptoms of preeclampsia mimic those of “normal pregnancy effects” and can go unnoticed.
- Swelling or edema in feet, ankles, hands and/or face
- Headaches
- Stomach pain
- Low back pain
- Nausea
- Elevated blood pressure
- Vision changes
It is important to keep all scheduled prenatal and postpartum appointments.
Preeclampsia and Eclampsia are sometimes grouped together as preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia.
Eclampsia
Eclampsia is defined as seizures occurring with pregnant women generally after the 20th week of gestation.
A woman who develops eclampsia is recommended delivery regardless of gestational age. Prolonging pregnancy in these instances severely increases the chances of death to mom and baby dramatically.
There is no known way to prevent eclampsia, but treating preeclampsia can help eclampsia from occurring.
Doctor or emergency care should be obtained at any point during a pregnancy when there is any change in condition. What may seem like a normal pregnancy change could end up being a life threatening condition.