High blood pressure during pregnancy

What is high blood pressure during pregnancy?

Blood pressure should be checked regularly during pregnancy, which is why measurements are usually taken at every visit to the gynaecologist. This is because one of the complications of pregnancy is high blood pressure during pregnancy, which can have further consequences and must be treated accordingly.

Blood pressure during pregnancy should not exceed 140/90 mmHg. Measurements that exceed these values are considered high blood pressure during pregnancy. If it occurs before the 20th week, it is chronic high blood pressure, which is diagnosed during pregnancy. If it is detected after the 20th week, the doctor diagnoses pregnancy-induced hypertension. The former usually lasts until six weeks after the birth, while the latter subsides in the postnatal period. However, any type of high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to complications and therefore requires treatment and constant monitoring.

High blood pressure during pregnancy – worrying symptoms

In addition to the numerical values on the blood pressure monitor, high blood pressure also manifests itself in the form of headaches, visual disturbances, vomiting or nausea. These are worrying symptoms that require an urgent visit to the doctor. Abdominal pain or swelling may also occur – not only in the lower limbs, which is characteristic of a physiological pregnancy, but also in the face or hands. Any of these symptoms require a visit to the emergency room.

How do you treat high blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure during pregnancy requires appropriate treatment. It is necessary to monitor parameters such as liver tests, creatinine or LDH, as well as the platelet count or the presence of protein in the urine. For this reason, expectant mothers should seek treatment from a gynaecologist, especially in the second half of pregnancy, who will order the appropriate tests or, if necessary, issue a referral to hospital.

The main drug used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy is methyldopa, which acts as the drug Dopegyt. This is a prescription medication, the dosage of which is determined by a specialist doctor. Pregnant women who struggle with high blood pressure during pregnancy are also advised to change their diet and lifestyle. High blood pressure, especially chronic high blood pressure, often occurs together with diabetes and obesity. Other medications used to treat high blood pressure in expectant mothers are labetalol or nitrendipine.

If high blood pressure cannot be reduced pharmacologically and is accompanied by symptoms of pre-eclampsia, premature termination of pregnancy may be necessary. For this reason, you should consult your doctor or go to the emergency room in all cases of high blood pressure during pregnancy.

What are the risks of high blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to a number of complications. These include:

• Pre-eclampsia
• HELLP syndrome
• Premature placenta abruption
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Intrauterine necrosis

Due to the risk of complications, every expectant mother with high blood pressure should be treated by a specialist. According to the recommendations, in the case of pregnancy-related high blood pressure, delivery should take place in the 38th week of pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of complications.