high blood pressure in pregnancy

[Fuchsia!]

What can happen if you have high blood pressure while pregnant? Is it really bad?

[Noah_and_Elijah]

Many pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems. High blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and baby. Women with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. However, some women develop high blood pressure only while they are pregnant (gestational hypertension).

The effects of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother's organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia--or "toxemia of pregnancy"--which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.

Preeclampsia is a condition that typically starts after the 20th week of pregnancy and is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine (as a result of kidney problems). Preeclampsia affects the placenta, and it can affect the mother's kidney, liver, and brain. When preeclampsia causes seizures, the condition is known as eclampsia. Preeclampsia is also a leading cause of fetal complications, which include low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirth.

There is no proven way to prevent preeclampsia. Most women who develop signs of preeclampsia, however, are closely monitored to lessen or avoid related problems. The only way to "cure" preeclampsia is to deliver the baby.

HTH

[samken]

noahsmama said it all BUT didn't really answer the question: is it bad? alone no but with everything else it is bad. It is the one thing your OB, midwife, hospital etc will be looking for and will monitor you for during your whole pregnancy.

[Noah_and_Elijah]

High blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and baby.

^^