Hypertension Before Pregnancy
If a woman suffered from hypertension, or high blood pressure, before she got pregnant, the condition won't magically disappear with all of the other change in her body during pregnancy. One common cause of hypertension during pregnancy is hypertension before pregnancy, says the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Hypertension happens when blood pressure exerts force on the walls of the arteries by circulating blood, says the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. When the blood exerts more force and pressure on the walls of the arteries, blood pressure is increased. If diet, lack of exercise, heredity or obesity have caused high blood pressure prior to pregnancy, it is likely to worsen as a woman's body puts on extra pounds and has far more blood circulating through it.
Developing Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia, also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) or toxemia, is a very serious medical condition, says the AAFP. The main symptoms are high blood pressure during pregnancy (that wasn't present before) and proteins in the urine. This is a condition that must be carefully monitored by a doctor, because if it's not properly treated, both mother and baby may experience serious complications.
The Mayo Clinic says that the real cause of preeclampsia isn't understood, but there are a few theories behind why it occurs. Preeclampsia could be caused by the uterus not getting enough blood circulating to it, or by any damage sustained to the blood vessels. An unhealthy diet or immune system abnormality could also be to blame for preeclampsia, says Mayo.
Gestational Hypertension
Sometimes, with all the weight gain and pressures placed on the body during pregnancy, women just develop high blood pressure for no real reason toward the end of their pregnancies. This is called gestational hypertension, says the AAFP. Excess weight and blood in the body makes it tougher for the circulatory system to work, increasing the strain and pressure of blood flow in the arteries. Gestational hypertension needs to be controlled and monitored, but it's a manageable condition without other symptoms that generally isn't considered risky or with serious complications.
Get it Treated
Without treatment, hypertension during pregnancy can cause developmental delays in an unborn baby, due to an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients, says the AAFP. Preeclampsia can lead to early delivery of the baby, and seizures (then called eclampsia) that could be fatal to mother and baby. It's also important to get high blood pressure under control before pregnancy to help reduce the risk of elevating blood pressure and complications while a woman is pregnant.
