Pregnancy induced hypertension only occurs during pregnancy. There is no real understanding as to why some women develop this during the course of their pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of Pregnancy induced Hypertension?
- Rising blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
- Swelling of the hands, feet and face
- Rapid weight gain (4 to 5 pounds in one week)
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred, double vision or seeing spots in front of the eyes
- Excessive drowsiness
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Decrease in urination
How is Induced Hypertension treated?
Treatment for pregnancy induced hypertension depends on a number of different factors, including how far along your pregnancy may be, the severity of the hypertension and how well the baby is tolerating the increased pressure. Generally the standard method of treating this is bed rest, with increased frequency of blood pressure monitoring.Who is at risk of developing Pregnancy induced Hypertension?
- Women who are pregnant for the first time.
- Women who have had pregnancy induced hypertension in previous pregnancies.
- Women whose mothers or sisters have developed pregnancy induced hypertension.
- Women younger than age 20 or older than 40.
- Women who are pregnant with more than one baby such as twins and triplets.
- Women who already have medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure (before becoming pregnant), kidney disease and lupus.
- Women who are malnourished at the start of pregnancy.
- Women who are carrying a baby with certain chromosomal abnormalities and sometimes women with an abnormal maternal serum alpha feto protein.
Read our article on Hypotension – which is low blood pressure – during your pregnancy.Hypertension & Pregnancy
