Hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs when the force of blood flowing through your body is too high. At every appointment during your pregnancy, Your gynecologist will measure your blood pressure. It’s a quick test that can mean a lot to you and your baby’s health. If your blood pressure is too high, it can put you both at risk of severe health complications.
In this blog post, Dr. Asmita Dongare explains hypertension during pregnancy in detail, its potential risks, common symptoms, and how it can be managed to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. Dr. Asmita Dongare is the Best Gynecologist in Wakad and also delivers proper diagnosis and treatment in Normal Delivery, Caesarean Delivery, Painless Labor, high-risk pregnancy, Postnatal Care, Birth Control Measures, or Abortion Care Services areas.
What is considered high blood pressure in pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your blood pressure should only boost slightly above what’s normal for you. The range of your blood pressure readings indicates your heart health and the potential health of your baby. Fertility Specialists might give advice to help manage your blood pressure based on your blood pressure readings.
Normal blood pressure is below 120 / 80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). You won’t need any modifications to your care with normal blood pressure.
Elevated high blood pressure is between 120 – 129 / 80 mmHg. Your gynecologist might recommend you avoid salt and caffeine and get comfortable exercise every day.
- Stage 1 hypertension is between 130 – 139 / 80 – 89 mmHg. A fertility specialist might want to observe your blood pressure more closely if it is this high. They might recommend you take medicine like baby aspirin, get more exercise and eat healthier to help control your blood pressure.
- Stage 2 hypertension is over 140 / 90 mmHg. Asmita Dongare may give you medicine to control your blood pressure and might take other steps to observe your health during pregnancy.
Types of Hypertension During Pregnancy:
- Gestational Hypertension: This type of hypertension arises during pregnancy and typically resolves after childbirth.
- Pre-eclampsia: Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, such as the liver and kidneys. It usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and can lead to difficulties if not managed promptly.
- Chronic Hypertension: Some women enter pregnancy with pre-existing high blood pressure, which requires careful management throughout pregnancy to prevent difficulties.
What causes hypertension during pregnancy?
When you are expectant, you have extra blood circulating in your body that you share with the placenta and with your baby. Mothers carrying multiple babies (twins or triplets) have even more blood circulating. This extra blood can sometimes increase your blood pressure. You can decrease your risk for high blood pressure by:
- Keeping a healthy weight.
- Ensuring you have healthy blood pressure before becoming pregnant.
- Staying physically active.
- Getting plenty of sleep.
- Trying not to smoke and drinking liquor.
Sometimes, there is no way to avoid high blood pressure during pregnancy, even if you are healthy and fit. However, Dr. Asmita Dongare can work with you to keep your blood pressure as low as possible.
What are the risks of hypertension (high blood pressure) in pregnancy?
Dr. Asmita Dongare is a Female Gynecologist in Akurdi and advised High blood pressure can cause health problems for you and your baby. These complications can include:
- Decreased blood flow to your placenta
- Placental abruption (when the placenta fails from the wall of the uterus, causing severe bleeding)
- Slow growth in your baby
- Preeclampsia is a condition that can damage your kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain
- Expanded chance of coronary illness later in your life
- Premature birth
- Higher risk for heart attack and stroke
However, it is important to remember that high blood pressure often causes no issues during pregnancy. By monitoring your health through blood pressure tests and urinalysis, Dr. Asmita Dongare can help you prevent complications.
At Cloverleaf Specialty Clinic, we have board-certified OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine physicians who work with you to monitor and manage your blood pressure throughout your pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Asmita Dongare– a High-Risk Pregnancy Specialist in Wakad, Pune, and the nearby area provides high-risk pregnancy management services. We are dedicated to protecting you and your baby and will do everything we can to keep you both safe and healthy.
Learn more about our comprehensive high-risk pregnancy services.
If you’re concerned about high blood pressure in pregnancy, request an appointment with Dr. Asmita Dongare.