What causes high blood pressure during pregnancy?
High blood pressure, and sometimes low blood pressure, during pregnancy is actually more common because of hormonal fluctuations. Many times, a woman will have a slightly elevated reading throughout pregnancy before it returns to normal (which on average is around 120/70). This is nothing to be alarmed over, and treatment is not necessary.
But when a pregnant woman has infections, chronic pain, stress, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or even during labor, blood pressure can shoot up to unsafe levels. When the reading reaches over 130/80, that is reason for observation to ensure any underlying problems are resolved, and medication may be administered. A sudden spike in blood pressure can be dangerous for both mom and baby, needing immediate attention. Symptoms of high blood pressure include persistent headaches, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, my blood pressure stayed at 120/70 until about eight weeks before I was to deliver. I woke up in the middle of the night with an excruciating headache. Not having suffered many headaches in the past, I was immediately concerned. The pain I had was right above my eyes, wrapping around my head like a vice. It was so bad that I could barely open my eyes, and it hurt to move in any direction or even lie down. Upon standing, I was dizzy and disoriented. Unfortunately, my doctor did not catch the start of preeclampsia right away, because my blood pressure was not at an unsafe level at that time. Instead, I was sent home to rest after spending almost a whole day at the hospital, and given darvocet for the pain and sleeping medication to relax me. The sleeping medication did just the opposite, and when I stood up I fell down and promptly vomited. My husband rushed me to the hospital again, and I stayed there for 24 hours, where I was finally diagnosed with preeclampsia. As my headache eased, so did my blood pressure. It took over a week for the headache to subside, and in its wake my blood pressure remained at around 138/80 for the next several week. I was put on bedrest for the next eight weeks.
Post-partum, my blood pressure skyrocketed the day I was about to leave the hospital after my c-section, but I had NO SYMPTOMS despite having a reading of 140/110. The nurse who rushed to my room was shocked I was conscious and not experiencing any discomfort. The doctor refused to discharge me until she was able to lower my blood pressure with medication, and I had to continue taking it for two weeks before my blood pressure was back to 120/70. Since that time, I have not had a problem again.
Blood pressure can be a serious matter, and left untreated can cause organ damage, fetal distress, and even death to mom and baby. Because of the uncertainty of one’s health while pregnant, it is extremely important to receive routine care and to bring any symptoms to the doctor’s attention as soon as possible.
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What causes high blood pressure during pregnancy?
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by Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak
High blood pressure, and sometimes low blood pressure, during pregnancy is actually more common because of hormonal fluctuations.
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