Hypertension during pregnancy, also known as pregnancy induced hypertension, or PIH, occurs in about five percent of pregnancies, according to Baby Center.com. Hypertension indicates blood pressure is too high. A woman is classified as having hypertension if she has a blood pressure of 140/100 one or more times during her pregnancy. Hypertension may be managed with bed rest, medications and increased physician's visits to monitor maternal and fetal health. In some cases, however, complications can occur from hypertension that is not well controlled.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Hypertension changes the circulatory system and may reduce the amount of blood flow that reaches the placenta and growing fetus. Reduced blood supply means the baby receives less nutrition and oxygen than normal. Lack of nutrients may result in intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR, which causes the fetus' growth to slow. The National Institutes of Health state that chronic hypertension during pregnancy increases the risk of IUGR.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia results from uncontrolled hypertension. A woman develops preeclampsia when her blood pressure remains high and she develops protein in her urine. This is a sign that her kidneys are not filtering body wastes properly, which allows toxins to build in the blood stream. A woman with preeclampsia is at increased risk for serious complications and even death. Swelling of the hands, feet and face, headaches and blurred vision may accompany preeclampsia.
A woman with hypertension is screened at each physician's visit for signs that preeclampsia is developing. Bed rest and hospitalization are generally required in attempt to keep the condition under control. While medical treatments can help slow preeclampsia, delivery of the baby is the only cure.
Preterm Birth
A woman with hypertension during pregnancy may be at risk for preterm birth, or delivering her baby early. Developing preeclampsia increases this risk. Delivering a baby before 37 weeks gestation is considered premature, and may place the baby at increased risk for health complications and death. A woman with hypertension is closely monitored by her healthcare provider to watch for signs of preterm labor.
Future Hypertension
Hypertension during pregnancy places a woman at risk for developing it with subsequent pregnancies. Having preeclampsia with one or more pregnancies increases this risk. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that women with high blood pressure during pregnancy are at increased risk of developing hypertension later in life, separate from pregnancy.
