Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy

Many pregnant women are frequently diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure. Since this situation was present in them even earlier than pregnancy, it is called chronic hypertension. Chronic hypertension could lead to complications in a pregnancy in some cases. But it can be supervised, and a woman with chronic hypertension in pregnancy can deliver a healthy baby. For this to happen, it is though imperative that the woman with chronic hypertension tell her medical doctors know when she is planning a pregnancy. The medical doctors can then give her pregnancy counseling and readjust antihypertensive medications if necessary.

Chronic hypertension can be of three types: essential hypertension, secondary hypertension and pregnancy-induced hypertension. It is believed that genes play an important role in essential hypertension, while secondary hypertension is frequently caused by another condition such as kidney disease, narrowing of the artery to the kidney, and adrenal tumors. For secondary hypertension, it is most excellent to be treated for the underlying condition earlier than becoming pregnant. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is one that develops during pregnancy, found usually in the third trimester.

Most women having chronic hypertension do not face problems in pregnancy. In normal pregnancy, blood pressure falls at the end of the first trimester and then rises to increases to pre-pregnancy levels in the third trimester. The same occurs for most women with chronic hypertension. If the blood pressure of a woman rises considerably throughout pregnancy, there is a risk for stroke and she might need more aggressive antihypertensive treatment.

There is a cause for worry if a situation called superimposed preeclampsia develops because of chronic hypertension. Preeclampsia can affect several organ systems and lead to liver dysfunction, kidney failure, and a raise in bleeding tendency, and irregularly can cause eclampsia seizures as well. As no treatment for preeclampsia exists as of now, the only remedy is premature delivery of the baby. Chronic hypertension can cause another complication called placental abruption that may cause premature birth. In the case of an early delivery, if it is not possible to have the baby delivered vaginally, a cesarean section may be needed.

There are some medications that are most excellent avoided throughout pregnancy; so your medical doctor may change your medications before you become pregnant. This is because some medicines could cross the placenta and affect your fetus as well. Those medication classes that are generally avoided in pregnancy include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and aldosterone receptor blockers.

Hypertension during pregnancy, the goal for your blood pressure may be tranquil a bit because your fetus needs sufficient blood flow. In addition, since pregnancy is only 9 months, the worry at that time is on short-term complications of hypertension. You need to have your blood pressure checked by your medical doctor regularly throughout the third trimester. The medical doctor will lookout for signs of problems, including placental abruption. Your urine will be test at each visit to look for signs of protein loss, which can recommend impending complications. You should consult your doctor if you notice swelling of your hands and face or there is a decrease in the baby’s movements.

Women with chronic hypertension have nothing to worry as they can and do have healthy babies. Earlier than pregnancy, you should discuss with your doctor about whether you should change your blood pressure medications. Your medical doctor may ask you to undergo some baseline tests of your kidney function. Heavy women may be asked to lose heaviness. Importantly, you should check your blood pressure at the frequency your doctor suggests during pregnancy.