Blood pressure in pregnancy
Before you’re 20 weeks pregnant, if you have high blood pressure, it’s called chronic hypertension or pre-existing high blood pressure. This means you probably had high blood pressure before you became pregnant. You’ll only know for sure if this is the case if your blood pressure stays high after your baby is born.
After 20 weeks, high blood pressure is called gestational hypertension. This is the name for high blood pressure that develops only during pregnancy.
Gestational hypertension may involve more visits to the hospital for additional testing and monitoring.
Pre-eclampsia isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought it to happen when the placenta isn’t working as well as it should. This can lead to high blood pressure and other problems. Your doctor will test your urine as well as take your blood pressure. Protein in your urine and high blood pressure are both signs of pre-eclampsia.
You could also ask your doctor to explain the symptoms to watch out for. And if you feel unwell or odd for no obvious reason between your scheduled check-ups, contact your doctor. Occasionally, pre-eclampsia can develop quickly and it’s important to get medical help straight away.
What can I do to keep my blood pressure normal during pregnancy?
Never skip any prenatal appointment, however well you feel.
Make sure your blood pressure and urine are both checked at every appointment.
Call your doctor right away if you feel unwell or experience any of these worrying pregnancy symptoms.
Exercise regularly, go for walks and do yoga or pranayama, after consulting your doctor.
Eat a well-balanced diet and keep your salt intake low.
Don't miss taking any medicine prescribed by your doctor to manage your BP.
Blood pressure in pregnancy
Before you’re 20 weeks pregnant, if you have high blood pressure, it’s called chronic hypertension or pre-existing high blood pressure. This means you probably had high blood pressure before you became pregnant. You’ll only know for sure if this is the case if your blood pressure stays high after your baby is born.
After 20 weeks, high blood pressure is called gestational hypertension. This is the name for high blood pressure that develops only during pregnancy.
Gestational hypertension may involve more visits to the hospital for additional testing and monitoring.
Pre-eclampsia isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought it to happen when the placenta isn’t working as well as it should. This can lead to high blood pressure and other problems. Your doctor will test your urine as well as take your blood pressure. Protein in your urine and high blood pressure are both signs of pre-eclampsia.
You could also ask your doctor to explain the symptoms to watch out for. And if you feel unwell or odd for no obvious reason between your scheduled check-ups, contact your doctor. Occasionally, pre-eclampsia can develop quickly and it’s important to get medical help straight away.
What can I do to keep my blood pressure normal during pregnancy?
Never skip any prenatal appointment, however well you feel.
Make sure your blood pressure and urine are both checked at every appointment.
Call your doctor right away if you feel unwell or experience any of these worrying pregnancy symptoms.
Exercise regularly, go for walks and do yoga or pranayama, after consulting your doctor.
Eat a well-balanced diet and keep your salt intake low.
Don't miss taking any medicine prescribed by your doctor to manage your BP.
