Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: The Facts

by Heather Luby

Pregnancy is a truly beautiful thing, but sometimes it can also feel a minefield of complications waiting for you to take a misstep. Are those headaches your having tension headaches or something more? How about those swollen ankles? As pregnant mothers we read books, search the internet and talk to friends to get the scoop on the things that concern us. This website is just another tool to help you stay informed. Think you may have Pregnancy-induced hypertension or PIH? Arm yourself with information from reliable sources, but mostly importantly, talk to your doctor about your concerns.

What is Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)?

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), or as it is sometimes more commonly referred toxemia or preeclampsia, is high blood pressure affecting women during pregnancy. Some form of Pregnancy-induced hypertension occurs in roughly 5 to 8 percent of pregnancies.

Warning signs of Pregnancy-induced hypertension?

Often a doctor is concerned about Pregnancy Induced Hypertension when he identifies these three key characteristics:

• High Blood Pressure (usually a reading higher than 140/90 mm Hg)

• Protein in urine

• Edema (swelling), often of the hands and face. *Swelling also occurs in normal pregnancies

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension Warning signs may also include:

• Severe headaches

• Changes in vision, including blurred vision or light sensitivity

• Upper abdominal pain (often under the ribs on the right side)

• Nausea or vomiting

• Decreased urine output

• Sudden weight gain, typically more than 2 pounds a week

On a basic level, high blood pressure means an increase in the resistance of blood vessels. Such resistance could lead to possible obstruction of blood flow to many different organ systems in the expectant mom including the liver, kidneys, brain, uterus, and placenta.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension can lead to fetal intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. Severe Pregnancy induced hypertension, if not treated properly, poses the risk of dangerous seizures and even death to the mother and fetus.

How can Pregnancy-induced hypertension be prevented?

Prevention always begins with a healthy lifestyle! Expectant moms should make taking care of themselves a top priority - it is the best way to take care of both mom and baby.

• Visit your doctor regularly before and during your pregnancy.

• Sleep well, takes naps and exercise following your doctor’s guidelines.

• Eat healthy and take your prenatal vitamins.

• Maintain a healthy weight gain throughout pregnancy.

• Avoid smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs.

How is Pregnancy-induced hypertension treated?

Unfortunately for some, Pregnancy-induced hypertension becomes a reality. When this happens it is your doctors goal to prevent your condition from becoming worse or contributing to other complications. Treatment for pregnancy induced hypertension may include:

• Bedrest (in-home or in the hospital)

• Medication (ex. Magnesium sulfate)

• Fetal monitoring

• Continued laboratory testing of urine and blood

• Delivery of the baby *if treatments do not control PIH and/or the fetus or mother is in danger.

Statistically you will be at a higher risk for pregnancy induced hypertension if you have been diagnosed with chronic hypertension (high pressure before becoming pregnant), or if you developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during any previous pregnancy. Additionally, women who are obese prior to pregnancy, pregnant women under the age of 20 or over the age of 40, and those who are pregnant with more than one baby may also have a higher risk of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. Lastly, women with chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma also run a higher risk for developing PIH.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

University of Virginia Health System

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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