Contents
Overview
Expecting a baby or being pregnant is always a happy occasion! But with it, comes a long list of health complications as well. No pregnancy is ever easy. Your body changes drastically and not just your physical body, your mental health is also compromised! One such health issue causes during pregnancy is high blood pressure. Now, not every expecting mother develops blood pressure because of pregnancy. In fact, many of the women already had high blood pressure prior to their pregnancy.
Being pregnant with high blood pressure comes is a serious issue because it can lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke or kidney failure and in some cases death! Not just the expecting mother but even the unborn baby is affected. Getting pregnant is a miracle and a joy, but you need to keep yourself healhy so that things can turn out well for you and your baby. Going for regular check ups and prenatal care will help you to keep track of any changes in your body and prevent further complications and damage to your body and your unborn baby!
Types of high blood pressure during pregnancy
Not everyone’s high blood pressure develops during pregnancy. Some occurs even before you know you are pregnant.
Gestational hypertension.
This is a common high blood pressure that develops in the early stages of pregnancy at around 20 weeks. However, some women with gestational hypertension eventually goes on to develop pre-eclampsia. To keep track of your blood pressure, your doctor may most likely suggest checking your blood pressure and urine test at every prenatal care checkup and also check your baby’s heart rate, growth and the overall health of the unborn child. [s]
Chronic hypertension.
Chronic hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that was already in existence even before you got pregnant. To keep your blood pressure in check, you will need to regularly check yourself for any complications at every prenatal visits! And should be careful to not missed out on any of the hospital visits!.
Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia.
This type of high blood pressure develops in women diagnosed with chronic hypertension before pregnancy and furthermore develops serious complications of high blood pressure throughout the pregnancy.
Preeclampsia
This is a serious type of high blood pressure and this type of hypertension develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and if not treated in time, may cause serious damage to vital organs that includes your kidneys, liver, blood, brain, and can even lead to fatalities and serious health complications of both the mother and the baby! [s]
Causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy
Although, researchers are still studying about the real cause or causes of high blood pressure, over the years, we have found some possible causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Unhealthy lifestyle
These are possible causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy. When you don’t get sufficient physical activities, you may become overweight or obese which will only increase your chances of getting high blood pressure. One should also avoid or quit smoking and drinking when pregnant with a child or leave the substances once and for all because it is unhealthy for your body even if you are not pregnant.
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Your age!
Yes! Your age can also be a cause of high blood pressure during pregnancies. Studies have found that, when women get pregnant after the age of 35 years, they develop higher risks of getting pregnancy-related complications like high blood pressure, as compared to women giving birth below the age of 35 years.
Family history with blood pressure and sugar problem
It is true that, genetics also plays a vital role in determining the extent of your pregnancy. For instance if you have a family history with high blood pressure or diabetes, it is most likely that, you may also get the same fate as that of your family members!
Pregnant for the first time
Studies have shown that, women who are expecting for the first time are more likely to get high blood pressure and are more at risk if they are carrying more than one child.
Assistive Reproductive Technology, such as In Vitro Fertilization or IVF
According to the American Society for Reproductive MedicineTrusted Source, using assistive technologies (such as IVF) during the conception process can increase the chances of high blood pressure in a pregnant woman.
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Another important causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy is Postpartum Hemorrhage. This occurs when a woman bleeds heavily after giving birth. Although this condition is rare, it is serious and can even lead to fatalities.
Reasons why high blood pressure becomes a problem during pregnancy!
High blood pressure has been associated with pregnancies for a long time now. It poses various health risks for both the baby and the mother. For example, if you suffer from high blood pressure and the placenta does not receive enough blood, the baby in your womb will receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients, resulting to slow growth and premature birth and furthermore, leading to problems in breathing as well as increase the risks of getting infection and other complications.
Not just the baby, but the expecting mother is at risk as well. When you exceed high blood pressure, it can affect parts of your body like your brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and other major organs and in some cases death! And most importantly, because of your high blood pressure, you may have to give birth prematurely as well causing further complications and risks for yourself and your baby!
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Some important tips to prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy!
There has been no sufficient information found till now to treat high blood pressure during pregnancies however, researchers are hopeful. Hence, still continues to study to find the solutions and causes to avoid high blood pressure during pregnancy. Needless to say, you can still take precautions and preventive measures to minimise your risks of getting high blood pressure.
For instance, if you were diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder prior to getting pregnant, your doctor may most probably recommend a low dose aspirin of around 81 milligrams to be taken on a daily basis; and the prescription of which may begin from the last first trimester of your pregnancy.
And as we all know, during pregnancies, you will experience a shift in your hormones which can cause psychological and physical changes. This further elevates your stress level and for which your blood pressure will increase. To get lower blood pressure, you can turn to meditation or any other stress relief techniques.
Your dietary plans also matter a lot when we talk about preventing blood pressure during pregnancies. However, the dietary guidelines for pregnant women will differ from person to person. And as such, you can consult with your doctor or nutritionist on this matter. They can help you to create a meal plan that is most suitable for you!
Another preventive measure is to avoid taking any intoxicants such as cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol. Consuming such products will not only increase your blood pressure but also complicate your pregnancies as well.
Above all, do not miss out on any of your doctor appointments and prenatal care checkups, and stay active!
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