Gestational hypertension is a pregnancy condition characterised by high blood pressure in pregnancy. This condition should not be confused with other blood pressure conditions such as chronic hypertension or preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension generally develops in the second trimester and goes away after you give birth. Don’t be alarmed if your doctor observes high blood pressure during your pregnancy, many women with high blood pressure deliver healthy babies. Your doctor would closely monitor your condition as well as your baby’s health and growth.
To effectively manage gestational hypertension, let us first understand this condition better.
Medical experts are still to identify the exact causes of gestational hypertension. A few factors that can increase the risk of developing high bp in pregnancy include:
During your prenatal visits, your doctor would evaluate the risks to your pregnancy based on your medical and family history. Apart from high blood pressure, you might also experience the following symptoms of high BP in pregnancy:
It is important to carefully monitor and manage signs of high blood pressure during pregnancy as it can result in severe blood pressure conditions such as preeclampsia. If you notice any new symptoms bring it to the notice of your obstetrician right away.
If you are detected with high blood pressure, your doctor might run additional tests to rule out any other conditions. These include:
The main goal of treatment for gestational hypertension is to prevent the condition from worsening. Your treatment would include the following:
Gestational hypertension on its own doesn’t necessarily be a cause of worry. However, if not managed correctly it can lead to complications such as preterm labour and preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that affects various organ systems in the body including the nervous system. The only course of treatment in this event is performing an emergency delivery.
Watch the video as Dr Deepika Aggarwal, consultant obstetrics and gynaecology at the CK Birla Hospital discusses “Hypertension and Preeclampsia – Silent dangers to pregnancy” in full detail.
If you do have high blood pressure during your pregnancy, the following tips can help you have a healthier pregnancy
Remember, it is always better to err on the side of caution and check with your doctor in case you aren’t sure whether something is out of the ordinary or not.
Ques: Is gestational hypertension and chronic hypertension the same?
Ans: Gestational hypertension is a blood pressure condition characterised by high bp after the 20th week of pregnancy. Chronic hypertension is high bp that existed before the pregnancy. If you have high blood pressure and are planning to or have become pregnant, consult your doctor for ways to manage the condition. In case you are overweight, your doctor might ask you to lose some pounds with diet and exercise to help manage your blood pressure. Also, consult your OBGYN for any medications that you might be taking for any pre-existing conditions.
Ques: What is preeclampsia?
Ans: Preeclampsia is a type of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and a significant amount of protein in the urine. It can cause multiple organ systems to fail and can also be fatal to the mother and child. Preeclampsia also hinders foetal growth by restricting blood flow to the placenta. The exact causes of this condition are not known however, it is more commonly seen in first time pregnancies, pregnant teens and pregnant women over the age of 40. Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include:
If you notice any of the above symptoms seek immediate medical attention.
Ques: Can gestational hypertension be prevented?
Ans: There are no ways to completely eliminate the risk of developing gestational hypertension. Early diagnosis and treatment are the most effective ways to manage this condition. So, make sure to go on regular prenatal visits to monitor the progress of your pregnancy.
