High blood pressure during pregnancy

How does high blood pressure develop during pregnancy?

From about the sixth month of pregnancy, 1.5 liters of additional blood are pumped through your body. This blood is important to give the baby enough nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord. In addition, the hormone progesterone causes the walls of your blood vessels to expand, which can often lead to lower blood pressure in the middle part of your pregnancy. In the last few weeks of pregnancy, however, your blood pressure should have returned to normal. The only concern is when it rises above normal and stays high across multiple readings. If you already suffered from high blood pressure before you became pregnant, you can have your doctor prescribe you special tablets that will ensure that your child does not suffer from it.

High blood pressure in pregnant women is usually not dangerous

Every tenth pregnancy leads to increased high blood pressure. This is not necessarily dangerous and can be treated well in most cases. This high blood pressure, which usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and often returns to normal around six weeks after birth, is called “pregnancy-related hypertension”.

Risk of gestosis or preeclampsia

However, if the high blood pressure rises above 140/90 mm Hg, protein is also found in your urine and you suffer from water retention in your arms and legs, you should not wait and see a doctor. Because it is possible that you are in the early stages of preeclampsia (often also called pregnancy poisoning or EPH gestosis). Other symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, rapid weight gain and ringing in the ears.

If symptoms worsen and seizures occur, it may be something called eclampsia, which needs immediate hospital treatment. Because then there can be danger for mother and child. Find out more about gestosis, eclampsia, preeclampsia and HEllp syndrome in our article What is gestosis? “.

Who is most at risk for preeclampsia?

• Women who already suffered from high blood pressure or kidney disease before pregnancy
• Women younger than 18 or older than 40
• primiparous
• Pregnant women who are expecting multiples
• women with diabetes mellitus
• Women with a personal or family history of hypertension
• Obese women

Prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy

• Get every check-up during pregnancy. Insist that blood pressure and urine tests are done at every exam so that any changes are spotted as soon as possible.
• Avoid stress and get plenty of rest. Elevate your legs often.
• Pay attention to a healthy and balanced diet (high in protein, lots of fruit and vegetables)
• Under no circumstances should you take measures to dehydrate the body, such as avoiding salt and rice or potato days. These tips are absolutely outdated. This can further thicken the blood, making high blood pressure even worse.