Pregnancy and Hypertension

If you have hypertension and become pregnant, it requires special care. There are things you need to know for yourself and your baby.
You may be lowering your blood pressure with diet and exercise or with medication. Either way, would it be safe for you to become pregnant? For most women, the answer is “yes”.
What can hypertension in pregnancy cause?
High blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the placenta. This means less oxygen and nutrients reaching the baby. This slows down the baby’s growth and increases the risk of premature birth. Hypertension can also lead to premature detachment of the placenta from the uterus and life-threatening complications.
Types of hypertension in pregnancy
It is believed that 5% of women already have hypertension before pregnancy. This hypertension is called essential (primary) hypertension. They are not even recognized as having hypertension until before pregnancy. Hypertension that occurs during pregnancy is called gestational hypertension. This condition usually resolves after delivery, but there is a high risk that these women will develop chronic hypertension in the future.
What are pre-eclampsia and eclampsia?
Sometimes the presence of protein in the urine with hypertension can cause a serious condition called pre-eclampsia. It develops in 25% of women with hypertension. They also have swelling of the hands and face, sudden weight gain, persistent headache, blurred vision, dizziness and abdominal pain.
Pre-eclampsia can progress rapidly to eclampsia, a life-threatening condition. This rare condition can lead to seizures and can sometimes be as serious as coma. If you have symptoms of pre-eclampsia, you and your baby should be closely monitored. In this case, bed rest or hospitalization is recommended. Premature delivery may also be necessary for the health of you and your baby.
Blood pressure medication during pregnancy
Every medicine you take during pregnancy can affect your baby. While some blood pressure medications can be used safely during pregnancy, the use of some blood pressure medications (such as angiotensin converting enzyme blockers) will be risky. However, it should not be forgotten that treatment is important. Because the risk of hypertension causing heart attack, stroke and other problems will not change when you are pregnant, and these can also be dangerous for your baby.
If you need medication to control your blood pressure, your doctor will prescribe the safest medication for you. Take your medicine as prescribed and do not stop taking it on your own and do not increase the dose.
What to do before becoming pregnant
You should make an appointment with your doctor and have your health condition evaluated before pregnancy. If your blood pressure is not at normal levels or if you are taking medications that are risky during pregnancy, treatment can be changed. If you are overweight, you should also get rid of these extra pounds.
Check-ups during pregnancy
You will need to see your doctor more often during pregnancy. As with other pregnant women, you will have blood and urine tests, your weight and blood pressure will be measured. Your baby will be closely monitored and ultrasound will be used more frequently, especially in the last trimester, to monitor its development. Non-stress tests will also be used to evaluate the baby’s heartbeat. You may also be asked to keep a daily record of your baby’s movements during your pregnancy.
What to do to prevent complications
– First of all, remember that the best way to take care of your baby is to take care of yourself.
– Do not neglect to go to your check-ups during pregnancy.
– Take your blood pressure medication as prescribed by your doctor.
– Eat a healthy diet.
– Limit the amount of sodium or salt in your food.
– Take your vitamins.
– Do the exercises recommended by your doctor.
– Rest often.
– Avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs.
Childbirth
To prevent complications, your doctor may recommend that you give birth a few weeks before your due date. If you have severe pre-eclampsia, you may be given medication to prevent seizures during the pain of labor. In some cases, a caesarean section may be planned. Depending on the time of pregnancy, steroids may also be given so that your baby’s lungs mature before birth.
Breastfeeding
Most mothers with hypertension are advised to breastfeed their baby, even if they are taking medication. Talk to your doctor if you need any adjustments – you may need to change your medication.
Problems that hypertension in pregnancy can cause in the future
Even if your blood pressure returns to normal after the birth of your baby, high blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Women with normal blood pressure during pregnancy are twice as likely to develop a stroke as women with normal blood pressure. The same woman has a higher risk of developing hypertension and having a heart attack after the age of 40. But the reason for the increased risk in these women is not clear. Obesity may play a role, or there may be physical changes caused by hypertension that develops during pregnancy.
Pregnancy and Asthma
The effect of pregnancy on your asthma is unpredictable. Sometimes asthma can get worse in the third trimester or during labor and delivery. Women with moderate to severe asthma have an increased risk of asthma attacks during pregnancy and labor. Good control of your asthma during pregnancy is very important to reduce problems. Poorly controlled asthma threatens the health of both mother and baby. In a severe asthma attack, the amount of oxygen in the mother’s blood decreases. This reduces the amount of oxygen available to the fetus, which reduces fetal weight gain, so the pregnant woman should receive oxygen therapy during an acute asthma attack. Your doctor may also order lung function tests and arterial blood gases. Most women are not comfortable taking medication during pregnancy. However, if you have asthma, it is very important to control your condition, so do not stop taking your asthma medication if you are pregnant.
Some information about asthma in pregnancy;
– Consult with your doctor about the most appropriate medicines during pregnancy to control your disease.
– Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
– Tell your doctor if your asthma worsens despite treatment.
– Avoid allergens that trigger asthma attacks such as cigarette smoke, dust and animal hair.
If you will be pregnant for more than three months during the flu season (between October and March), get a flu vaccine.
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