High Blood Pressure: Impact of Hypertension on pregnancy

Hypertension in Pregnancy: High blood pressure can be a cause for concern in a pregnant woman. It can have a major impact on the mother as well as the baby.

By Janvi Manchanda

Updated on Sep 06, 2019 | 01:58 PM IST | 2.3M

High Blood Pressure: Impact of Hypertension on pregnancy

High blood pressure or hypertension is a very common chronic illness. This health condition is not very easy to spot. Most people don’t even know about it until it’s too late. High blood pressure does not have too many signs or symptoms. This is why it is important to keep a tab on your blood pressure and go for regular check-ups. High blood pressure often leads to other chronic diseases like heart diseases, kidney diseases, stroke, diabetes and much more. This is why you need to stay aware and manage your blood pressure especially if you are pregnant.

A pregnant woman can have blood pressure fluctuations post 20 weeks of her pregnancy. This is called gestational hypertension. But if you’re a patient of chronic hypertension it is essential to take proper care in order to avoid any complications. Any chronic disease during pregnancy can impact the other as well as the baby. It is essential to consult a doctor if you are pregnant and are on high blood pressure medication. Chronic hypertension as well as gestational hypertension, both are equally dangerous for a pregnant woman.

High blood pressure can cause serious complications in pregnancy. It can turn your pregnancy into a high-risk pregnancy. High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia. This raises a woman's blood pressure to dangerous levels and can damage internal organs and put the life of the mother and child at high risk of death. High blood pressure can hamper the growth of the baby in the uterus and lead to low birth weight. Premature birth can also be a side effect of hypertension during pregnancy. Placental abruption may also push a woman to have a preterm delivery. Placental abruption is when the placenta separates from the walls of the uterus at an early stage causing lack of nourishment and oxygen to the baby. It can also lead to a miscarriage or infant death. This is why it is essential to keep a tab on your blood pressure and the medications that a pregnant woman consumes to ensure the safety of the mother and the child.