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Much Ado About Hypertension During Pregnancy by Uranus1: 1:30am On Jul 18, 2018 |
When a pregnant woman develops elevated blood pressure during pregnancy , it is known as pregnancy -induced hypertension or gestational hypertension . Hypertension is a very common medical disorder seen in pregnant women . According to the World Health Organisation and the Federal Ministry of Health , Nigeria , gestational hypertension affects up to 10 % of all pregnancies and is directly responsible for up to 29 % of all maternal deaths in Nigeria today . A blood pressure reading of 140 / 90 millimetres of mercury measured at least on two occasions 6 hours apart is considered as hypertension in pregnancy . Hypertension can manifest during pregnancy in these ways : • Chronic hypertension : This is hypertension previously established prior to pregnancy . • Gestational hypertension : This develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy . Hypertension in pregnancy can worsen and affect the kidneys , brain and liver which leads to the passage of proteins in the urine, amongst other symptoms. This is known as preeclampsia . It can be life -threatening for both the mother and the unborn baby. Further deterioration may lead to the occurrence of seizures in a woman with preeclampsia known as eclampsia. What causes hypertension in pregnancy ? A singular cause for hypertension in pregnancy hasn ’t been identified but a number of risk factors have been identified. However , the presence of these factors does not mean that one will develop hypertension in pregnancy . The risk factors are as follows: • Having had hypertension or any of its complications in previous pregnancies. • Being pregnant with twins, triplets , quadruplets etc. • Being obese . • Women whose sisters and mothers had hypertension in pregnancy . • Being pregnant at a young age ( 20 or less) or at an old age ( 40 or older ) . • Diabetic women or women with diabetes in pregnancy . • Women who drink alcohol . • Women who smoke. • Being pregnant after a long interval ( greater than 10 years ) . • Women who had high blood pressure or kidney disease prior to pregnancy . • Black women . • Poverty. What symptoms may be seen ? Hypertension is a “ silent” disease and symptoms may not be apparent. It also depends on how far along you are in pregnancy and how high your blood pressure gets . The more severe your hypertension and the earlier in pregnancy it appears, the greater your risk for problems. However , all pregnant women should receive an antenatal education so that they are aware of the symptoms associated with preeclampsia . Such symptoms include: • Severe headaches . • Visual problems : blurred vision or flashing before the eyes . • Severe pain in the upper abdomen . • Shortness of breath. • Nausea and vomiting. • Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet. What complications can arise? A myriad of complications may occur depending on the severity of hypertension and level of control. Here are a few common complications seen : • Heart failure in mother . • Small -sized baby. • Death of the foetus . • Kidney failure in mother . • Preterm delivery of the foetus . • Bleeding disorders in mother . • Liver failure in mother . • Stroke in mother . • Blindness in mother . How is gestational hypertension managed ? Treatment is specified to monitor ( by frequent blood pressure measurements) and control blood pressure ( by taking antihypertensives ) minimise complications and ensure a healthy mother and child until and after delivery. Your doctor may prescribe a few tests to monitor your health and that of your baby. https://www.nigerialog.com/health/much-ado-about-hypertension-during-pregnancy/new/#new |
Re: Much Ado About Hypertension During Pregnancy by johnjerome(m): 2:11am On Jul 18, 2018 |
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