Blood Pressure (BP) during Pregnancy

Women with high blood pressure are more likely to have complications during the childbirth. It could risk the life of both the mother and the to-be-born child. A keen eye for subtle differences in the body and a few changes in lifestyle may go a long way in keeping you healthy.

What Is Normal Blood Pressure Level/Range/

Normal blood pressure range is when the systolic pressure shows between 90 to 120 and diastolic pressure between 60 to 80. Blood pressure readings are expressed in millimetres of mercury. If blood pressure is in the normal range, then no medical intervention is required.

The blood pressure changes during pregnancy. For a woman, the normal blood pressure when pregnant should be between 110/70 and 120/80. If the pressure readings go up to 121/80, then you are likely to have a high blood pressure, and if it is below 90/50, then you may have low blood pressure.

It is essential that you get your blood pressure examined during pregnancy. Blood pressure levels may indicate potential problems which can occur during pregnancy. Most women may not develop high pressure during this time. However, some women might develop high pressure or hypertension. A mild increase is most often observed. Sometimes the high blood pressure may become severe, causing harm to both the mother and baby. 8% women experience high blood pressure during pregnancy instead of low blood pressure, which is quite natural.

How Is Your Blood Pressure Measured?

 Blood pressure is measured by capturing the systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) number.

The systolic number (top number) is the amount of pressure in your arteries when the heart muscles contract. This is called systolic pressure. The diastolic number (bottom number) refers to your blood pressure when your heart muscle is between beats. A normal reading will show a top number between 90 to 120 and a bottom number between 60 to 80.

Your doctor will use a small monitor to measure your blood pressure during your regular checkup. You will be required to remove any tight clothing from the arm and to wrap a cuff above the elbow; he will start pumping air into it. This makes the cuff tighten. Then the air in the cuff is released. This cuff is attached to the monitor which calculates the blood pressure and shows the reading. The reading will look like a fraction, for example, 110 (systolic number)/70 (diastolic number).

Why Is Blood Pressure Measured During Pregnancy?

Monitoring of the blood pressure during pregnancy is important to eliminate any risks and complications that may the affect the mother and the baby. Women with mildly high blood pressure may have a normal pregnancy. The blood pressure falls slightly during early pregnancy and then returns to pre-pregnancy in the 3^rd trimester.

However, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the problems during pregnancy. There is a risk of other medical conditions like diabetes or kidney related diseases if the pregnant woman has severe high blood pressure.

How Does BP Change During Pregnancy?

It is normal for the blood pressure to change during pregnancy. This is part of the cardiovascular changes during pregnancy. Pregnancy causes the volume of blood to increase slowly by about 40-50% which in turn increases the heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output.

Monitoring BP

During pregnancy, the BP is monitored every time you visit your doctor for a checkup. However, it is also important that BP is checked at home, which will help monitor any changes in blood pressure that may go unnoticed otherwise. Risk preeclampsia may develop during pregnancy. Therefore, doctors advise to track BP is tracked at home as well.

High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Blood pressure may be present during or before pregnancy and comes at different stages. The following are the types of high blood pressure during pregnancy:

• Chronic hypertension is also known as pre-existing high BP, it is the pressure of the blood 20 weeks before pregnancy. This occurs in women who have developed high BP before pregnancy. In this condition, the BP remains high even after conception.
• Gestational hypertension or pregnancy hypertension refers to high BP developed in the 20 weeks post-pregnancy. Though this is not a major problem, you may consult your doctor for special care.
• Preeclampsia is a condition where there is a high amount of protein in the urine and high BP even after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This should be treated else it leads to major complications for the mother and the baby.

Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?

Hypotension, also known as low blood pressure, is when you have a reading of 90/60 or lower. This is a dangerous condition because it stops the supply of oxygenated blood to your body and heart.

Few causes of hypotension are:

• Heart ailments: Several heart ailments such as malfunctioning of the valves of the heart, a very low heart-rate, heart failure and heart attack can cause low blood pressure.
• Dehydration: Inadequate quantity of water in the body can cause a drop in the volume of vlod, causing low blood pressure.
• Pregnancy: The increased need for blood in the body leads to rapid expansion of the circulatory system. This usually causes a drop in blood pressure.
• Loss of blood: An injury which causes excessive bleeding or an internal haemorrhage can lead to low blood pressure.
• Severe infection (septicemia): Cause by the seeping of infected blood into the blood stream, septicemia casues dialation in the arteries. This leads to septic shock which is characterised by persistent hypotension.
• Anaphylaxis: An allergic reaction to insect venoms, medcations, foods and latex, anaphylaxis can be a reason for low blood pressure.
• Malnutrition: A lack of Folate and itamin B-12 lead to anaemia can cause a drop in blood pressure.
• Endocrinal problems: Low blood sugar, thyroid conditions, diabetes and adrenal insufficiency can lead to low blood pressure.
• Medications of certain kinds: Alpha blockers, Water pills, anti-depressents, beta blockers, and drugs for Parkinson’s disease are among the medications which may cause low blood pressure.

Complications Occurring Due To High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Some women may have high blood pressure or preeclampsia during pregnancy. It comes with some risks such as:

• High BP reduces the blood flow to the placenta, which reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby, affecting the growth of the baby and increases the risk of low weight of the baby at the time of delivery.
• A condition known as placental abruption may occur. This means premature separation of the placenta from the uterus depriving the baby of oxygen and causing heavy bleeding in the woman.
• Increases risk of premature delivery which could lead to life-threatening complications.
• Women who develop preeclampsia are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases later in life.

Signs of preeclampsia include:

• Affects vision (blurred vision, sensitivity to light, flashing lights and vision loss).
• Persistent headaches.
• Pain in the upper abdomen.
• Increase in weight abruptly, more than 2.3 kg within a week.

How To Control High Pressure During Pregnancy?

High blood pressure can be controlled by following a few simple steps. Following are a few treatments, home remedies and ways to prevent it.

Treatments

• A doctor prescribed medication can bring down the blood pressure if diagnosed with moderate or severe hypertension.
• In cases of severe BP problem/fluctuation, you may be hospitalised to bring down the pressure with constant monitoring. Once the BP falls, you will be discharged. However, there will be BP checking, urine examination and blood test twice a week.

Home Remedies For Controlling High BP During Pregnancy

• Consumption of herbs like Arjuna bark, Hawthorne and olive leaf extract also help in lowering high blood pressure.
• Five cups of hot cocoa per day help in controlling high BP. Cocoa has anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities.
• Garlic helps in lowering blood pressure if taken regularly.

Prevention Of High Blood Pressure

• Know your blood pressure level from the primary stages of pregnancy.
• Control the intake of salt in your diet or use a salt substitute.
• Physical activities like walking, swimming, relaxation techniques in yoga.
• Changes in diet like increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables and low dairy products and low consumption of fat, red meat, sweets and beverages containing sugar helps keep the BP under check.
• Regular prenatal checkups.
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.

Conclusion

Keeping the blood pressure within the normal range is crucial for preventing complications. This can be easily accomplished by the combination of a healthy lifestyle and medications. A single blood pressure reading does not indicate health issues. However, readings taken over time are most accurate.