Pregnant women are required to be more careful about their health. There are many possible problems that may occur during pregnancy. As one of the disorders that often occurs is high blood pressure during pregnancy. Hypertension or high blood pressure during pregnancy does not always cause something dangerous, but does not rule out the possibility that it could happen.
If high blood pressure occurs during pregnancy and is not treated quickly, it can increase the risk of complications. One of the risks that can occur is preeclampsia. Therefore, it is important to pregnant mother know how to deal with high blood pressure during pregnancy. There are several types of hypertension in pregnancy that may occur.
What are the types of hypertension in pregnancy?
High blood pressure can affect women before pregnancy and during pregnancy. Pregnant women who have had high blood pressure since pregnancy or before, need special treatment from a doctor. Here are some types of hypertension in pregnancy.
- Gestational Hypertension. Gestational hypertension occurs after 20 weeks of gestation. There is no protein in the urine or signs of organ damage. Some pregnant women experience this type of hypertension, causing preeclampsia later in life.
- Chronic Hypertension. Chronic hypertension occurs before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation. This type of hypertension has no specific symptoms. This may be difficult to detect early.
- Chronic hypertension with preeclampsia. This type of hypertension can occur in women who have high blood pressure before becoming pregnant. This high blood pressure then worsens even in the presence of urine protein. Or other health complications that occur during pregnancy.
- In some cases, gestational hypertension or chronic hypertension can turn into preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a complication in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure. As well as damage to other organs. This type of hypertension usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation. If you don’t get treatment quickly, it can cause serious problems. Of course, for the mother and the fetus she is carrying.
Impact of High Blood Pressure during pregnancy
High blood pressure that occurs in pregnancy will be bad for the health of both the mother and the fetus. So what are the effects of high blood pressure on pregnant women? Here’s the summary.
- Blood flow to the placenta is reduced. If the placenta does not get enough blood, the baby will lack oxygen and nutrients. As a result of this condition, the baby’s growth will be slow, the risk of premature birth and even low birth weight.
- Placental Solution. Preeclampsia will increase the risk of placental abruption. Placental abruption is the detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall at the time before delivery. This severe event can cause heavy bleeding, as well as damage to the placenta. This can threaten the safety of both mother and baby.
- Premature birth. Due to medical reasons, preterm birth is necessary to prevent complications that can be life threatening.
- Cardiovascular Disease. Preeclampsia can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. The risk is greater for pregnant women who have had preeclampsia before. Also had previous preterm labor. To minimize the risk of this incident, try to maintain an ideal body weight.
What causes high blood pressure during pregnancy?
The possible causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy are as follows.
- Overweight pregnant women
- Lack of movement / exercise
- Smoking habit
- First pregnancy
- Family history of hypertension during pregnancy
- Pregnant amused / twins
- Pregnant over the age of 40
Symptoms of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women
Preeclampsia sometimes presents with no symptoms. High blood pressure as a symptom of this may come on slowly, but more often suddenly. You should make sure to always monitor your blood pressure during pregnancy. The abnormal range of blood pressure during pregnancy is 140/90 mmHg or even more. Other possible preeclampsia symptoms are as follows.
- The presence of urine protein or signs of kidney problems
- Severe headache
- Temporary visual disturbances, sensitive to light
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decrease in the amount of urine
- Impaired liver function
- Shortness of breath is caused by fluid in the lungs
How to deal with high blood pressure while pregnant
If this happens to you, don’t panic. This disorder is quite easy to prevent and overcome. The first thing to do is to make sure that your blood pressure is really too high. That way, the next method can be determined so that we can treat it. Here are some ways to deal with high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Routine health checks during pregnancy
You must have regular health checks. Make sure to always make an appointment with an obstetrician every month. Consult the drugs consumed and the dosage. Do not take any medicine other than the one given by the obstetrician.
Monitor body condition
You also have to always ensure the condition of your body. Perform blood pressure monitoring at home with tools. If you detect a blood pressure that is higher than usual, consult a doctor immediately.
Eat a healthy diet
Nutritional intake from food is one of the factors that affect a person’s blood pressure. Some things to watch out for when pregnant are not consuming foods that contain lots of salt. Increase consumption of vegetables and fruit. That way, blood pressure will be maintained.
Exercise regularly
Pregnant women who don’t exercise have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to do regular physical activity. Blood circulation during pregnancy will increase, and blood pressure will decrease if you exercise regularly. It can also reduce stress which can have a negative impact on the body.
Stay away from cigarettes and alcohol
Pregnan
t women should stay away from cigarettes and alcohol. These bad habits can have negative effects and are very dangerous. Especially if pregnant women suffer from high blood pressure. Cigarette smoke that enters the body can increase the risk of plaque buildup in blood vessels. Which ultimately can trigger an increase in blood pressure again. In addition, alcohol can also trigger the same thing.
High blood pressure foods during pregnancy
Here are some types of food that are very good for pregnant women to eat. Of course, will help reduce high blood pressure.
- Folic acid rich foods. Foods that contain folic acid will prevent birth defects and premature birth. This content is obtained from green leafy vegetables, nuts, citrus fruits and cereals.
- Calcium rich foods. The content that is obtained is from milk, yogurt, cheese, salmon and spinach.
- Foods rich in vitamin D. This content can be found in fatty fish such as salmon. Make sure to eat fish that is cooked.
- Iron rich foods. Iron content can be found in red meat, green vegetables, papaya fruit, and nuts.
Also Read: Mother Stress While Pregnant, The Fetus Will Be Affected
By knowing the conditions described above, you can prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy. It is hoped that bad and dangerous things cannot happen to us. In addition, you must continue to carry out regular check-ups with your obstetrician. Of course, to prevent possible fatal things, which may cause harm to the mother and the fetus.
Hope it is useful!!
