High Blood Pressure during Pregnancy

High blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by blood, against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps the blood out. A person is said to have high blood pressure when his/her blood pressure count, reads more than 140 mm Hg systolic (top number) or 90 mm Hg diastolic. Body weight, sensitivity to salt, excessive consumption of alcohol, frequent intake of birth control pills, sedentary lifestyle and hereditary factors are some of the reasons for the occurrence of blood pressure problems.

There are cases wherein pregnant women with high blood pressures have had successful deliveries. With regular prenatal help, the complications during pregnancy can be avoided. However, high blood pressure among pregnant women is a cause of concern. Women who suffer from pre-pregnancy high blood pressure are likely to develop complications, arising out of high blood pressure during the pregnancy. Some expecting mothers may also develop high blood pressure during pregnancy.

High blood pressure can have major and minor consequences. There is a high risk of kidney damage, if the woman is suffering from high blood pressure while carrying a baby. In a serious case, the mother may suffer from preeclampsia or toxemia of pregnancy, which can be dreadful for both the mother and the fetus.

Preeclampsia begins in the 20th week, as a result of high blood pressure. It affects the kidneys and results in the discharge of protein content in mother's urine. The condition can also affect the brain, placenta and liver. According to the study, seizures caused by preeclampsia, is the second leading disorder causing maternal death. Regular headaches, hazy and photosensitive vision are some of the symptoms that indicate preeclampsia. Proteins in the urine, known as proteinuria is also the symptom of aforementioned condition.

So far, no concrete cure has been determined to treat preeclampsia. Delivering the baby is the only way out.. Preeclampsia also affects the fetus. It may cause fetal complications such as low birth weight, stillbirth and premature delivery. The chances of undergoing gestational preeclampsia is another flip side of having high blood pressure. High blood pressure contributes to hypertension, coronary diseases, strokes and heart failures in the later life too.

Before having a baby, plan your pregnancy. Take medical opinions about your health to be sure that your blood pressure is normal and under control. Monitoring the blood pressure on regular basis can be a great help to control it. Avoid any kind of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. This is a positive step towards experiencing a healthy pregnancy.

Having a baby is a defining moment of a woman's life. Every change in her body affects her baby in every way. To avoid the dangers of high blood pressure, timely care is required. That is why they say prevention is better than cure. After all its her chance to create a life and bring that bundle of joy waiting to see the wonder called life. Have a healthy and a successful motherhood!