Pregnancy And Baby Care Pregnancy Hypertension Chronic Hypertension Pregnancy

... are at a much higher risk of suffering from chronic hypertension during pregnancy.

Conditions during Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy

Chronic hypertension is also often related to kidney ailments, hyperthyroidism and a history of regular use of contraceptive pills. Blood pressure levels of 140/90 and above within 20 weeks of gestation are a sign of this condition, and may shoot up further during pregnancy. The situation can get complicated further if the would-be mother also suffers from pre-eclampsia, which is a disorder of the placental and fetal tissue that leads to further increase in blood pressure. This condition, called superimposed pre-eclampsia, greatly increases the risk of placental abruption, that is, separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus, premature delivery and stillbirth.

Risks for Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy

Another major risk involved with chronic hypertension in pregnancy is that the supply of vital nutrients and oxygen to the fetus may be disrupted, which may hamper the normal growth and development of the baby and cause him/her to be born with defects. Chronic hypertension may also produce excessive pressure on the vital organs of the mother's body, such as kidneys, liver, heart and the brain. This may lead to symptoms like acute headaches, excessive nausea and vomiting, severe pain in the upper abdomen, edema of the hands and the feet, occasional trouble in breathing and insufficient urination. In extreme cases, the woman may suffer from seizures and cardiac arrest too.

Symptoms during Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy

Thus, the first symptoms of this condition should immediately be reported to the doctor and after that the health of the pregnant woman and the growing baby should be constantly monitored. Dietary recommendations relating to controlling weight gain should be strictly adhered to, and the prescribed medication for lowering blood pressure should be consumed regularly. Extra precautions should be taken in the advanced stages of the pregnancy through weekly check-ups in order to ensure that the blood pressure does not rise beyond safe limits and thereby cause a danger to the life of both the mother and the unborn child.