Gestational Hypertension: Understanding Risks and Management During Pregnancy
When the blood pressure of a pregnant lady rises in the term it is called as gestational hypertension. This condition is quite commonly observed nowadays as almost 70% of pregnant ladies likely undergo this phase during the term. Even if it is widely common it is important to manage the hypertension on time as it causes risk to the blood vessels and organ development in fetus. This is reason that your healthcare provider would make it a point to record your BP every time during visit. Here is a brief guide to answer your blood pressure related queries.
The risky period
The period during the entire term of pregnancy that poses the maximum risk of developing high blood pressure is known as the risky period. Most of the ladies develop the condition when they are 19 weeks pregnant. If the rise in blood pressure occurs after 19 or 20 weeks of conception it is termed as the gestational hypertension. But if the lady observes the condition before 20 weeks then it is not related to pregnancy. If high blood pressure develops before the risky period it is termed as essential hypertension that is a type which most likely exists in the mother before conception. The blood pressure is termed high if the readings measure above 140/90 before or after the risky period.
Risk factors
If the mother has not developed any high blood pressure before 18 weeks pregnant then the likely risk factors that contribute towards its development are weight and high body m[censored] index. It is quite evident that ladies that are overweight are most likely to develop BP during pregnancy. Similarly if a mother is carrying BMI of around 30 or more have four times greater risk of developing high blood pressure. Therefore monitoring the BMI and keeping the weight under control is essential during pregnancy.
Possible risks of hypertension
In most of the cases the hypertension is usually mild and don't cause any dangerous effects on the body of baby or mother. In the cases of essential hypertension when the blood pressure raises earlier in 18 weeks pregnant mothers certain risks are present. A condition termed as pre-eclampsia is caused if the body experiences raised blood pressure for longer time. This condition is related to the normal functioning of placenta and thereby it also affects the growth of baby. In this condition the placenta works abnormally to deprive the growing fetus from essential nutrients and oxygen. This condition could be diagnosed with a simple urine test. If the results mention presence of protein then this could be the indicator of pre-eclampsia. If the malfunction is discovered early it could be treated and monitored by medical professionals.
In most of the conditions where the hypertension develops in 20 or 19 weeks pregnant mothers it returns to normal after several months of baby delivery. If the blood pressure fails to reach normal levels then this is the indicator of essential type and requires treatment.
