Gestational Hypertension

Gestational Hypertension

What is high blood pressure? 

High blood pressure (also called hypertension) happens when your blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal. Having high blood pressure while you are pregnant can cause serious problems. There are different names for it depending on when it starts and how it affects the body. 

Who is at risk? 

You are more likely to have these problems 

if you have had high blood pressure before pregnancy or during a previous pregnancy. Other risk factors include: 

•  Being pregnant for the first time 

•  Being pregnant with twins 

•  Being older than 40 years or younger than 20  years 

•  Obesity 

•  Diabetes 

•  Lupus or kidney disease 

•  A close relative who had preeclampsia 

What is Preeclampsia? 

Sometimes chronic hypertension or gestational hypertension leads to preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system – usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious – even fatal – complications for mother and baby. Previously, preeclampsia was only diagnosed if a pregnant woman had high blood pressure and protein in her urine. However, experts now know that it’s possible to have preeclampsia, yet never have protein in the urine. 

Can it be prevented? 

If you had preeclampsia earlier than 34 weeks in a previous pregnancy or at any time during two previous pregnancies, your doctor might want you to take aspirin, starting early in your pregnancy. Some doctors also recommend aspirin if you are having twins or have chronic hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, or lupus. Calcium pills may help prevent preeclampsia if you don’t get enough calcium in your diet. 

How do I know if I have it? 

You might have symptoms, but most of the time you can’t tell. One of the reasons you need to see your doctor so often while you’re pregnant is to get your blood pressure checked. Your blood pressure is high if it is 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Some women with high blood pressure have headaches, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, or swelling in their hands or face. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially in the second half of your pregnancy or after delivery. 

How is it treated? 

You may need to take medication or stay in the hospital. Depending on how far along your pregnancy is, your doctor may decide to induce labor. If delivery is planned before 34 weeks of pregnancy, you might need steroid shots to help your baby’s lungs get ready to breathe. 

Will it go away after I have my baby? 

Most of the time, the problems start to go away right after delivery. But it’s important to know that preeclampsia and eclampsia can show up for the first time after your baby is born, and it may get worse before it gets better. Call your doctor right away if you have headaches, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, or very bad swelling in your hands after you leave the hospital. 

It can take up to 12 weeks after your baby is born for your blood pressure to return to normal. If it doesn’t, you may have chronic hypertension and will need to manage your blood pressure in the future. 

If you have preeclampsia there is a greater chance that you will develop high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease later in life. Talk to your doctor to find out how often you should be checked for these conditions.