The Health Site
Tuesday, 11 Jun 2024
Source/Reporter : Prerna Mittra
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy: How It Can Be Life-Threatening For Mother And Baby
If preeclampsia develops despite preventive measures, it becomes an extremely high-risk situation requiring urgent hospitalisation and delivery. (Photo: Freepik)
According to a doctor, preeclampsia is a severe form of pregnancy-induced hypertension that can lead to complications like the development of convulsions, which is a life-threatening condition called eclampsia.
There are many health issues that crop up during pregnancy, and among them is high blood pressure. A mother-to-be has to be extra cautious about dealing with this problem, which can be quite dangerous for her and her child, unless it is addressed efficiently and in a timely manner. Dr Madhuri Burande Laha, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi says that if high blood pressure occurs before 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is classified as 'chronic hypertension'. Additionally, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and preeclampsia can 'superimpose this existing chronic hypertension' in some patients. "If high blood pressure arises after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is considered to be pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).
What Is Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension?
Dr Madhuri explains that this condition is characterised by a 'sudden increase' in the mother's blood pressure during the second half of the pregnancy, typically after the 20th week. PIH can be a 'precursor' to the more serious condition of preeclampsia, she warns.
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension And Preeclampsia: The Difference
According to the doctor, if a patient with PIH experiences symptoms like 'persistent headaches'; 'blurred vision'; 'dizziness', etc., it means their condition has progressed to preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia, she states, is a 'severe form of PIH' that can lead to complications like the development of convulsions or seizures due to the dangerously high blood pressure. "This life-threatening condition is known as eclampsia, and it requires immediate medical intervention."
What Happens When Preeclampsia, Eclampsia Are Not Recognised?
If PIH, preeclampsia, and eclampsia are not recognised and treated, the condition can rapidly worsen with the progress of pregnancy. For patients with pre-existing chronic hypertension, their doctor is likely to immediately start 'antihypertensive medication' and closely monitor their symptoms, as they are at a 'significantly higher risk' of developing preeclampsia in pregnancy.
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The doctor explains that in the case of PIH, the doctor will also advise the patient to follow a low-sodium diet. They must get adequate sleep. Antihypertensive medications may also be prescribed.
"If preeclampsia develops despite these preventive measures, it becomes an extremely high-risk situation requiring urgent hospitalisation and delivery to save the mother's life," says the doctor, adding that 'rapid delivery of the baby' is often the only way to 'halt the progression of preeclampsia' and also prevent the onset of 'life-threatening eclampsia'.
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Post-Delivery Health Tips
Dr Madhuri says even after delivery, patients must be closely monitored for 6 weeks, as preeclampsia or eclampsia can still occur during this time. On their part, patients must prevent these complications by choosing a well-equipped hospital and an experienced team of doctors, following a low-salt diet, getting enough sleep, and regularly going for check-ups.
If preeclampsia develops despite preventive measures, it becomes an extremely high-risk situation requiring urgent hospitalisation and delivery. (Photo: Freepik)
According to a doctor, preeclampsia is a severe form of pregnancy-induced hypertension that can lead to complications like the development of convulsions, which is a life-threatening condition called eclampsia.
There are many health issues that crop up during pregnancy, and among them is high blood pressure. A mother-to-be has to be extra cautious about dealing with this problem, which can be quite dangerous for her and her child, unless it is addressed efficiently and in a timely manner. Dr Madhuri Burande Laha, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi says that if high blood pressure occurs before 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is classified as 'chronic hypertension'. Additionally, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and preeclampsia can 'superimpose this existing chronic hypertension' in some patients. "If high blood pressure arises after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is considered to be pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).
What Is Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension?
Dr Madhuri explains that this condition is characterised by a 'sudden increase' in the mother's blood pressure during the second half of the pregnancy, typically after the 20th week. PIH can be a 'precursor' to the more serious condition of preeclampsia, she warns.
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension And Preeclampsia: The Difference
According to the doctor, if a patient with PIH experiences symptoms like 'persistent headaches'; 'blurred vision'; 'dizziness', etc., it means their condition has progressed to preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia, she states, is a 'severe form of PIH' that can lead to complications like the development of convulsions or seizures due to the dangerously high blood pressure. "This life-threatening condition is known as eclampsia, and it requires immediate medical intervention."
What Happens When Preeclampsia, Eclampsia Are Not Recognised?
If PIH, preeclampsia, and eclampsia are not recognised and treated, the condition can rapidly worsen with the progress of pregnancy. For patients with pre-existing chronic hypertension, their doctor is likely to immediately start 'antihypertensive medication' and closely monitor their symptoms, as they are at a 'significantly higher risk' of developing preeclampsia in pregnancy.
You may like to read
Emergency Delivery
The doctor explains that in the case of PIH, the doctor will also advise the patient to follow a low-sodium diet. They must get adequate sleep. Antihypertensive medications may also be prescribed.
"If preeclampsia develops despite these preventive measures, it becomes an extremely high-risk situation requiring urgent hospitalisation and delivery to save the mother's life," says the doctor, adding that 'rapid delivery of the baby' is often the only way to 'halt the progression of preeclampsia' and also prevent the onset of 'life-threatening eclampsia'.
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Post-Delivery Health Tips
Dr Madhuri says even after delivery, patients must be closely monitored for 6 weeks, as preeclampsia or eclampsia can still occur during this time. On their part, patients must prevent these complications by choosing a well-equipped hospital and an experienced team of doctors, following a low-salt diet, getting enough sleep, and regularly going for check-ups.