A stable blood pressure is essential for the body's heart, arteries and veins. A blood pressure reading has two numbers. The top number represents the pressure in the arteries during the heart's contraction, this is called the systolic number. The second number represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed and is known as the diastolic pressure. In pregnancy, the fetus receives all nutrients and oxygen from the mother. A healthy blood pressure is vital to the health of the mother and the fetus.
Types
There are many types of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure present before pregnancy occurred, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Chronic hypertension can affect the growth of the fetus as well as leading to heart failure and stroke. Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs during the second half of pregnancy and often disappears after the mother gives birth. Gestational hypertension can lead to a condition known as preeclampsia.
Identification
In pregnant women, normal blood pressure is defined as having a systolic number of 120 or lower and a diastolic number of 80 or lower. Pregnant women who show a systolic reading of 140 and a diastolic reading of 90 on several readings have blood pressure that is too high, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Effects
High blood pressure can cause problems for both the mother and the baby. Decreased blood flow to the placenta can cause slow fetal growth and increase the risk of low birth weight babies, according to the MayoClinic.com. In high blood pressure, the risk for a condition known as placental abruption increases. Placental abruption causes the placenta to separate from the uterus, cutting off the baby's supply of oxygen and nutrients. Gestational hypertension often does not cause any problems for the baby but may cause a woman to have hypertension later in life as well as increasing the risk of a woman developing pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia, according to the FamilyDoctor.org.
Warnings
High blood pressure can lead to life-threatening conditions. Preeclampsia is a serious medical condition that can cause stress on a woman's kidneys and affects all of the organs in the body. Preeclampsia may necessitate early delivery. Symptoms of preeclampsia include headaches, visual problems, swelling of the hands and face and rapid weight gain. Severe preeclampsia may cause damage to the kidneys, brain, heart, liver and eyes. Women may experience seizures. Women who develop preeclampsia may need to stay in the hospital in order for medical staff to monitor her continuously.
Treatment
Women who have chronic hypertension are commonly already on medication. The physician will often keep a woman on her present medication if it is safe for the baby or change her to a medication that is. Often a physician must admit a woman to the hospital to be monitored if she is suffering from pregnancy-induced hypertension. Gestational hypertension often does not require any treatment.
