High blood pressure in pregnant women

Dr. Chito Nwana a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Tabitha Women’s Health Center, Maitama, Abuja says high blood pressure during pregnancy is called preeclampsia.  “There are some criteria we look at to indicate that someone has pre-eclampsia. For example we say if a woman’s blood pressure is 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mm HG) or […]

Dr. Chito Nwana a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Tabitha Women’s Health Center, Maitama, Abuja says high blood pressure during pregnancy is called preeclampsia.  “There are some criteria we look at to indicate that someone has pre-eclampsia. For example we say if a woman’s blood pressure is 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mm HG) or greater, then we are concerned. When the level of protein in the urine passes a certain amount, then we are concerned.”

Health experts say high blood pressure during pregnancy poses various risks, including:

Decreased blood flow to the placenta. This reduces the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients, potentially slowing the baby’s growth and increasing the risk of a low birth weight.

Placental abruption. With this condition, the placenta prematurely separates from the uterus. Placental abruption can deprive the baby of oxygen and cause heavy bleeding in the mother.

Premature delivery. Sometimes an early delivery is needed to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

Future cardiovascular disease. Women who develop preeclampsia — a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy might be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, despite the fact that their blood pressure returns to normal after delivery.

Even a slight increase in blood pressure may be a sign of preeclampsia. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious, even fatal complications for both the woman and her baby.

But experts say you should seek medical attention immediately if you have severe headaches, blurred vision or severe pain in your abdomen. (Just like Catherine). Because headaches, nausea, and aches and pains are common pregnancy complaints, it’s difficult to know when new symptoms are simply part of being pregnant and when they may indicate a serious problem — especially if it’s your first pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is classified as one of four high blood pressure disorders that can occur during pregnancy.  To treat a woman with pre-eclampsia, Nwana says “we give magnesium sulphate. We give this to the mother, when we are trying to deliver the baby. This will prevent the seizures that come from it. If you don’t manage it very well the woman may end up having complications and mortality rate is very high.”

She added that in pregnancy there are certain anti-hypertensive drugs they cannot take. “We normally will change them to drugs they can take. These are normally not as effective like the ones they take when they are not pregnant,” Nwana says.

Nwana says if you have preeclampsia, the only cure is delivery of your baby. “The cure of preeclampsia is the delivery of the baby.”

If you aren’t near the end of your pregnancy and you have a mild case of pre-eclampsia, some doctors may recommend bed rest to lower your blood pressure and increase blood flow to your placenta, giving your baby time to mature. You may need to lie in bed, only sitting and standing when necessary. Or you may be able to sit on the couch or in bed and strictly limit your activities. The doctor may want to see you a few times a week to check your blood pressure, urine protein levels and your baby’s well-being.

If you have more severe preeclampsia, you may need bed rest in the hospital. In the hospital, you may have regular non stress tests or biophysical profiles to monitor your baby’s well-being and measure the volume of amniotic fluid. A lack of amniotic fluid is a sign of poor blood supply to the baby, experts say