High BP During Pregnancy Puts Fetus at Risk: Expert Shares Tips To Manage and Control

High blood pressure during pregnancy is more common than most people think, and it impacts far beyond just the mother's health. According to experts, unmanaged hypertension can affect the developing baby's growth, oxygen supply, and overall safety in the womb. This is mainly because lifestyles have changed, stress levels are on the rise, and many women go into pregnancy either with pre-existing hypertension or develop it midway through.

So the editorial team of Onlymyhealth reached out to expert, Dr Rajni Mittal, Chief Medical Officer at Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, and she explained to us how high BP during pregnancy puts the tetus at risk, and also shared with us some tips to manage and control it. Read ahead to know everything she shared with us.

Why High BP During Pregnancy Puts Fetus at Risk

High blood pressure is medically termed as gestational hypertension or chronic hypertension can disturb the delicate blood flow between the mother and the placenta. "When BP rises, the blood vessels supplying the placenta constrict, reducing the baby's access to oxygen and nutrients," explained Dr Mittal. This can lead to conditions like fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, premature delivery and in severe cases, placental abruption, which is a major medical emergency.

Additionally, one of the most serious complications is preeclampsia, which is a pregnancy-related hypertensive illness usually occurring after 20 weeks of gestation. It is a multisystem disease with a potential for rapid progression. “If not treated, preeclampsia may lead to seizures (eclampsia), serious organ injury, and critical risk for both mother and child,” Dr Mittal warned.

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Pregnancy Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore

Dr Mittal shared that high BP may not always appear with symptoms, which is why routine antenatal check-ups are so crucial. However, the following warning signs should raise an alarm for immediate medical evaluation:

• Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet
• Persistent headaches
• Blurred vision or seeing spots
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Sudden weight gain
• Decreased fetal movements

What Puts a Pregnant Woman At Higher Risk of Hypertension?

A pregnant woman may be predisposed to hypertension due to several factors, including:

• First-time pregnancies
• Family history of high BP
• Carrying twins or multiples
• Pre-pregnancy obesity
• Autoimmune conditions
• Over 35 years
• Pre-existing hypertension or diabetes

Understanding these risk factors allows women and their doctors to plan monitoring and preventive strategies early on.

Expert Tips To Manage and Control BP During Pregnancy

Maintaining blood pressure during pregnancy is not only possible but also often manageable with regular habits of lifestyle and timely medical guidance. Following are some recommendations by Dr Mittal:

1. Regularly Monitor BP

Daily or frequent BP checks help follow the trend and also catch early spikes. Home BP machines could be very useful.

2. Focus on a Balanced, Low-Sodium Diet

Excess salt leads to water retention and can increase blood pressure. Instead, Dr Mittal recommended a plate abundant with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

3. Hydrate

Dehydration can exacerbate blood pressure. Aim for two to three litres of water a day unless otherwise advised by your physician.

4. Practice Light Exercise

Walking, prenatal yoga and stretching promote blood flow and decrease stress-related elevation of BP. Always get your doctor's approval before initiating any exercise.

5. Keep Healthy Weight Gain

Gaining more than recommended can raise blood pressure and pregnancy complications. Regular consultations with your doctor or nutritionist will help keep this at bay.

6. Reduce Stress with Mindfulness

Meditation, breathing exercises, light music therapy, and adequate sleep all support stable blood pressure.

7. Never Skip Prenatal Appointments

Regular ultrasound, urine tests, and BP tracking ensure that complications are timely detected for proper treatment.

8. Take Medication as Prescribed Without Delays

If medication is needed, it is carefully selected to safeguard the baby. Never self-medicate or stop medicines abruptly.

Bottomline

High blood pressure in pregnancy is nothing to be afraid of, just something to keep a close watch on. With timely diagnosis, healthy lifestyle habits and expert supervision, most women can have a safe pregnancy and safeguard their baby's health.