High blood pressure in pregnancy occurs when blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg, especially in women who have never had an increase in blood pressure, which can cause neck pain, belly pain, blurred vision, or swelling of the body.
Causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy may be related to unbalanced feeding or malformation of the placenta. In addition, a woman is at increased risk of having high blood pressure in pregnancy when she is pregnant for the first time, is over 35 years old, is obese or has a diabetic condition.
Normally, the blood pressure is lower in the first half of pregnancy, returning to normal or even rising slightly in the second half of pregnancy and closer to delivery. Therefore, if the pregnant woman has high blood pressure, especially after the 20th week of gestation, she should consult the obstetrician immediately.
High blood pressure in pregnancy can be dangerous as it can lead to the development of pre-eclampsia, a serious complication that can lead to miscarriage if it is not treated properly with a balanced diet or medication. Understand what pre-eclampsia is and how to identify it.
Symptoms that may indicate
Although not always causing any symptoms, signs that indicate high blood pressure in pregnancy include:
- Blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg;
- Constant headaches, especially at the nape of the neck;
- Severe pain in the belly;
- Blurred vision and sensitivity to light;
- Swelling of body parts such as legs or arms.
In the presence of symptoms of high blood pressure in pregnancy it is recommended to consult the obstetrician as soon as possible to initiate appropriate treatment and avoid serious complications.
What to do to treat
To treat high blood pressure during pregnancy you should rest a lot during the day, drink 2-3 liters of water per day and eat a balanced diet with little salt or industrialized foods such as sausages, party chips or chips.
In addition, other tips that help lower high blood pressure in pregnancy include drinking 1 orange juice per day, light exercise, such as walking, yoga or water aerobics, 2 to 3 times a week, and avoid drinking more than one coffee per day.
However, in cases where pressure does not decrease with these care, the obstetrician may recommend treatment with high blood pressure medicines. In the more severe cases, the pregnant woman may have to stop working or stay in the hospital, avoiding the development of eclampsia. Find out which medicines to control high blood pressure and which ones are indicated for the pregnant woman.
High Blood Pressure Risks in Pregnancy
High blood pressure in pregnancy increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, a condition that usually appears after the 20th week of gestation and which, when left untreated, can progress to eclampsia, causing seizures, coma and even death of the mother and baby .
In cases where the blood pressure can not be lowered, even with the medicines prescribed by the obstetrician, labor should be induced to avoid the risk of death.
Diet to control the pressure
The diet for high blood pressure in pregnancy should be low in salt, rich in folic acid because it has vasodilatory action, helping lower blood pressure, and high in water, to prevent the accumulation of fluids and relieve pressure inside the vessels. Here's a home-based strategy on: Home remedy for high blood pressure in pregnancy.
One of the causes of high blood pressure in pregnancy can be being overweight. See if you are gaining weight right in pregnancy:
Attention: This calculator is not suitable for multiple pregnancies.
