Managing High Blood Pressure during Pregnancy: How to Keep Mother and Baby Safe

Did you know that hypertension is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy? High blood pressure can lead to serious complications for both mother and the baby, so it’s important to understand what causes it, how to prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy, and whom you should consult to keep the mother and the baby safe. 

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or above, or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or above. Usually, this is confirmed over 4 hours with repeated measures, or after overnight rest, to determine if there is really hypertension. High Blood Pressure or Hypertension during pregnancy requires special care before and after conception. If not timely provided care, hypertension disorders of pregnancy can cause maternal & fetal morbidity and sometimes can even cause mortality. 

In order to manage the high blood pressure during the pregnancy, you should be aware of dietary modifications that can lower your high blood pressure for which you can consult a Gynecologist at Kailash Hospital, Dehradun. Here are some key ways to keep both mother and baby safe during pregnancy with high blood pressure and manage it.

Here are some key ways to keep both mother and baby safe during pregnancy with high blood pressure and manage it.

Regular Prenatal Check-Ups

Going with regular prenatal check-ups and monitoring of blood pressure levels during the pregnancy are quite important. Having regular prenatal checkups can help a person keep track of their blood pressure and other vital signs, and access treatment if necessary. If this occurs, the healthcare team can take steps to ensure the safety of the pregnant person and their baby.

Proper Medication as Prescribed by the Doctor

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are common. Women may have chronic hypertension, or develop hypertension during pregnancy. Its management involves close maternal and fetal surveillance by an expert gynecologist. If an antihypertensive drug is needed should be taken only after the doctor’s prescription and termed safe in pregnancy.

Healthy Diet and Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Pregnancy-induced Hypertension (PIH) patients should take a balanced diet with optimal calories including good quality protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, iron, and folic acid-rich foods. Diet should contain an optimum amount of sodium. In case of edema or high blood pressure sodium is restricted. Salt restriction is no longer routinely advised during Pregnancy-induced Hypertension.

Avoiding Stress and Getting Adequate Rest

Women with high blood pressure are often advised to rest either at home or in the hospital. It is suggested that this might help to reduce the mother’s blood pressure and also beneficial for the baby. However, benefits should be demonstrated before such interventions and can be recommended since this activity may be disruptive to women’s lives and increase the risk of Thromboembolism.

Avoiding Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs

If you are pregnant or planning to be, drinking alcohol, smoking or consuming drugs can affect your child’s health. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs. Apart from this, you are advised to speak with your doctor or midwife before taking any medication.

Monitoring for Signs of Pre-Eclampsia

It is recommended to monitor the signs of Pre-eclampsia and inform the doctor immediately if any symptoms arise during the period of pregnancy with hypertension. If preeclampsia isn’t severe, you may have frequent visits to your Gynecologist to monitor your blood pressure, any changes in signs or symptoms, and the health of your baby. Severe preeclampsia requires that you be in the hospital to monitor your blood pressure and possible complications. Your healthcare provider will frequently monitor the growth and well-being of your baby.

Following the Doctor’s Instructions

As your body changes, it’s important to be aware of the potential for complications, including Hypertension or high blood pressure. Hypertension during pregnancy can be dangerous for both mother and baby, so it’s important to consult your doctor as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms. 

Hypertension is a major risk factor for preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to premature labor, low birth weight, and even stillbirth. By consulting the gynecologist, you can be screened for hypertension and receive appropriate treatment. 

The mainstay of management of hypertension in pregnancy is regular maternal review and strict blood pressure control. Often fall in blood pressure in the first trimester allows for a reduction or cessation of antihypertensive drug therapy.