Pregnancy
<p><b>Pregnancy-induced hypertension</b></p>
<p>With pregnancy, you can expect the unexpected. So, it's important to know what you may come across during your journey.</p>
<p><br />Let's get a better understanding of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and how it can affect you and your baby.</p>
<p><br />Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels) that carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure simply means that the pressure in the arteries is above the normal range.</p>
<p><br /><b>How does this affect my pregnancy?</b><br />Hypertension is common during pregnancy, which can also cause problems after delivery. Your doctor or nurse should look out for this condition before, during, and after pregnancy.</p>
<p><br /><b>Complications can include:</b><br /><b>For the mother:</b> preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, the need for labour induction and placental abruption (the placenta separating from the wall of the uterus).</p>
<p><br /><b>For the baby:</b> preterm delivery (birth that happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and low birth weight. The mother's high blood pressure makes it more difficult for the baby to get enough oxygen and nutrients to grow, which can result in early delivery.</p>
<p><br /><b>Symptoms to look out for include:</b><br />• A headache that doesn't go away.<br />• Sudden weight gain.<br />• Blurred or double vision.<br />• Nausea or vomiting.<br />• Pain in the upper right side of your belly, or pain around your stomach.<br />• Making small amounts of urine.</p>
<p><br /><b>Some conditions may increase the risk of developing hypertension:</b><br />• High blood pressure before pregnancy or with a past pregnancy.<br />• Kidney disease.<br />• Being diabetic.<br />• Being younger than 20 years of age or older than 40 years of age.<br />• Being pregnant with multiples, like twins or triplets.</p>
<p><br />If your blood pressure increases, your doctor may diagnose you with this condition.</p>
<p><br />The good news is that high blood pressure is treatable. During pregnancy, it can be managed and controlled. Keep up with your prenatal visits, ultrasounds, and other tests to ensure the baby is well.</p>
<p><br /><b>Tips</b>:<br />• Take your prescribed blood pressure medication.<br />• Go to all your prenatal visits.<br />• Have an early delivery if necessary.<br />• Maintain a healthy diet with low-sodium foods.<br />• Do exercises approved by your doctor.</p>
<p><br />Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of high blood pressure. Early identification may help prevent some complications of the disease.</p>
