High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

The force your blood creates against your arteries is called blood pressure. Hypertension is a medical condition that occurs when blood pressure is high. High blood pressure during pregnancy can cause complications for the mother and the baby, making you at higher risk. During your pregnancy visits, we will monitor your blood pressure and take any needed action to help ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Gestational Hypertension

Gestational hypertension develops after twenty weeks of pregnancy. There are no symptoms, so pregnant women must be checked regularly by a doctor. Gestational hypertension is not associated with damage to the mother or unborn child. However, women with this condition are at a higher risk for pre-eclampsia and must be carefully monitored.

Chronic Hypertension

Women who have high blood pressure prior to pregnancy are at an increased risk for complications, including preeclampsia during the last trimester. Because high blood pressure often has no symptoms, a woman may not realize that she has chronic hypertension until she is checked at her first prenatal visit. This is one of the many reasons it is vital to visit an obstetrician before you decide to get pregnant.

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a sudden spike in blood pressure during the last trimester of pregnancy, accompanied by kidney or liver damage. Pre-eclampsia symptoms include severe headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, and swelling. Pre-eclampsia can cause organ damage, seizures, and placental separation. If untreated, it can lead to death for both the mother and child.

It is essential to begin prenatal care early and attend all your visits so that our doctors can monitor your blood pressure. If neglected, serious complications can occur. Proper medical care is essential for the mother and baby before, during, and after birth. Contact Women’s Health in West Bloomfield, Michigan for an appointment today.