High blood pressure during pregnancy: types, risks and treatment

High blood pressure during pregnancy is not always dangerous. This condition often occurs in some pregnant women. So, to anticipate unwanted things, you must know some facts about high blood pressure during pregnancy. Here are the things you need to know to maintain the health of your womb and the baby.

Types of high blood pressure during pregnancy

Sometimes, high blood pressure occurs before pregnancy but is not detected. In other cases, high blood pressure only occurs during pregnancy. Get to know the types below.

1. Gestational hypertension

Women with gestational hypertension have high blood pressure that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation (2nd trimester). There is no excess protein in the urine or other signs of organ damage. Some women with gestational hypertension are at risk of developing preeclampsia later.

2. Hypertension chronic

Chronic hypertension is a condition of high blood pressure that pre-pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation. However, because high blood pressure usually shows no symptoms, it can be a little difficult to determine when it occurs.

3. Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia

This condition occurs in women with chronic hypertension before pregnancy who show high blood pressure accompanied by high levels of protein in the urine. If you show these signs at less than 20 weeks of gestation, you may have chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia.

4. Preeclampsia and eclampsia

Sometimes chronic hypertension or gestational hypertension leads to preeclampsia. Preeclampsia itself is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems. In contrast to chronic hypertension with superimposedpreeclampsia, preeclampsia usually occurs after 20 weeks of gestation (in the 3rd trimester).

If left untreated, preeclampsia can have serious, even fatal consequences for both mother and baby. Therefore, you need to regularly check the health of the womb and fetus with your doctor.

Meanwhile, eclampsia is the most dangerous health problem characterized by seizures in pregnancy or after childbirth. Although quite rare, if left untreated or not treated properly, this seizure in eclampsia can be fatal.

Seizures due to eclampsia can cause coma, brain damage, and will have an impact on the death of the mother or baby.

In fact, eclampsia is a continuation of preeclampsia, in which pregnant women experience high blood pressure which usually occurs when they enter gestational age above 20 weeks.

Why is high blood pressure during pregnancy dangerous?

High blood pressure during pregnancy can increase various risks, including:

1. Lack of blood flow to the placenta

If the placenta is not getting enough blood, your baby may be deprived of oxygen and nutrients. This can result in slow growth, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Premature birth can result in breathing problems in the baby.

2. Placental abruption

Preeclampsia increases the risk of placental abruption, which is a condition in which the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. A severe abruption can cause heavy bleeding and damage to the placenta which can be fatal to both you and your baby.

3. Premature birth

Sometimes premature (preterm) delivery is needed to prevent potential fatal complications.

4. The risk of heart disease

Having preeclampsia increases your risk of heart disease. The risk is greater if you have preeclampsia more than once or you have preterm labor. To minimize this risk, after giving birth try to maintain your ideal body weight, eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, and don't smoke.

Is it okay to use blood pressure medications during pregnancy?

Any medicine you take while pregnant can affect you and your baby. Although some drugs used to lower blood pressure are generally safe to use during pregnancy, others such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and renin inhibitors are generally avoided during pregnancy.

However, treatment is important. Your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other problems related to high blood pressure doesn't go away when you're pregnant. High blood pressure can also harm your baby.

If you need drugs to control blood pressure during pregnancy, the doctor will prescribe the safest drugs and in the right dose. Take medication as prescribed. Do not stop use or adjust the dose yourself.