What Is High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?

Chronic hypertension is elevated blood pressure that is present before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation.

Gestational hypertension is elevated blood pressure that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and this condition can progress to preeclampsia.

Elevated blood pressure is associated with maternal and fetal risks, but close monitoring and additional interventions can help reduce these risks.

What Are the Dangers of High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?

High blood pressure in pregnancy can be dangerous for both the mom and the baby. Complications may include:

• For the mom: Preeclampsia, eclampsia, and stroke. Depending on the severity, moms may also be at risk for placental abruption, which can cause heavy bleeding, a life-threatening condition for mom and baby. High blood pressure can also increase the risk for
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Kidney failure
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Pulmonary edema
• For the baby: A mother’s high blood pressure makes it more difficult for the baby to get adequate oxygen and nutrients because it can affect blood flow to the placenta. This can lead to several dangerous complications, including:
  • Preterm birth
  • Low birth weight
  • Intrauterine growth restriction
  • Future cardiovascular disease
  • Fetal or neonatal death

What Types of Blood Pressure Can Affect Pregnancy?

Some moms may have high blood pressure before pregnancy, while others may develop the condition during pregnancy. Here are four types of high blood pressure in pregnancy:

• Chronic hypertension. This is high blood pressure that develops before pregnancy or in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Moms with chronic hypertension are considered at risk but can have a healthy baby with proper prenatal care and guidance.

• Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. This condition occurs when moms with chronic hypertension experience worsening high blood pressure during It can lead to protein in the urine (a sign of preeclampsia) and other complications.
• Gestational hypertension. This is when a mom develops high blood pressure after 20 weeks of gestation, and it can progress to preeclampsia.
• This condition occurs when hypertension develops after 20 weeks of gestation and can be associated with kidney, liver, blood, and brain damage.

How Can You Manage Hypertension in Pregnancy?

The best way to manage hypertension during pregnancy is to talk with your healthcare team about any blood pressure issues before you get pregnant.

Preconception counseling
High Risk Pregnancy Center specialists encourage you to schedule preconception counseling so we can better understand your care needs and work closely with your primary care physician, OBGYN, or medical specialist. When your entire healthcare team understands your medical history, they can help you manage ongoing issues and better anticipate your care needs during pregnancy.

Preconception counseling is essential for moms-to-be with chronic hypertension since pregnancy risks are lower if the blood pressure is well controlled. In addition, labs can be obtained to assess underlying kidney or liver dysfunction. Lastly, low-dose aspirin (81mg daily) will likely be recommended to decrease the risk of developing superimposed preeclampsia.

Ongoing prenatal care
Ongoing prenatal care is equally important once you do become pregnant. Regular monitoring and treatment early in pregnancy will improve the health outcome of you and your baby. The maternal fetal medicine physicians at High Risk Pregnancy provide evidence-based medicine to ensure your and your baby’s health throughout your pregnancy and recommend regular growth ultrasounds to monitor the growth and development of the baby.

Gestational hypertension treatment
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure during pregnancy, you have a heightened risk of preeclampsia, which can lead to life-threatening complications for you and your baby.

How to Lower the Risk of Complications of High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?

If you’re struggling with hypertension before or during pregnancy, taking care of your health is the best way to take care of your baby. Your doctor may recommend the following:

• Attend all prenatal appointments
• Take your blood pressure medicine and low-dose aspirin as prescribed
• Stay active to support lower blood pressure
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs, and talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications

If you’re concerned about how pregnancy hypertension could affect your growing baby’s health and well-being, call the High Risk Pregnancy Center at 702-382-3200.

Our maternal fetal physicians offer advanced prenatal care services to help keep your blood pressure levels within a safe range for you and your baby.

We are also highly skilled in diagnosing and successfully treating several hypertension-related pregnancy complications and dedicated to keeping you and your baby as healthy as possible every step of the way.