Signs of High Blood Pressure in Early Pregnancy
High blood pressure is a concern at any point in a pregnancy. At each office visit, the nurse will check blood pressure and note the result in the chart. It is important to check blood pressure as well as establish a pattern of what is normal for each patient.
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Basics
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According to the American Pregnancy Association, high blood pressure is most likely to strike first time pregnancies, women with a history of high blood pressure or kidney disorders, women with a family history of high blood pressure, teenage moms and moms over the age of 40. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. According to the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, a systolic reading of higher than 140 or a diastolic reading of higher than 90 is considered high blood pressure.
Signs
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Signs of high blood pressure in early pregnancy are the same as symptoms of high blood pressure in those who are not pregnant. Symptoms can include blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, visual disturbances such as seeing spots and a decrease in urinary frequency. It is important to note that high blood pressure can be present without any symptoms. The only way to know for sure if blood pressure is high is to have it taken by a medical professional.
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Treatment
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Treatment for high blood pressure can differ drastically depending on the stage of pregnancy. In late pregnancy, the baby may be delivered to protect the health of both the mom and the baby. In early pregnancy, high blood pressure is treated with dietary changes such as consuming a low sodium diet and increasing fluid intake. Doctors may also instruct patients to lie on the left side to relieve pressure on the vena cava, a major artery on the right side of the body. Blood pressure medications can also be administered if needed but require the supervision of a doctor during pregnancy.
Risks
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When high blood pressure is present along with swelling and protein in the urine, the woman can be diagnosed with preeclampsia. The only cure for preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. A diagnosis of preeclampsia requires close monitoring and will likely result in bedrest, possibly in the hospital. If high blood pressure becomes severe, there is no choice but to deliver the baby as it can be life threatening to both the mom and the baby.
Considerations
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According to the March of Dimes, high blood pressure that is diagnosed before week 20 of pregnancy is considered to be chronic hypertension. While those who develop preeclampsia generally will have normal blood pressures again after delivery, women diagnosed with chronic hypertension will continue to have high blood pressure even after delivery.
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References
- Photo Credit MorgueFile (Dean Jenkins)
