Gestational hypertension - high blood pressure without proteinuria caused by pregnancy. The disease is one of the most common complications during gestation and develops after 20 weeks. For most women, the pressure returns to normal after delivery.
What causes
The exact causes of disease are not established yet. Physicians assume that this increase in pressure can be an early step of pre-eclampsia.
Factors that increase the risk of developing gestational hypertension:
- first pregnancy;
- the woman's age more than 40 years;
- kidney disease;
- overweight;
- diabetes;
- the presence of hypertension in the past;
- disease.
At risk are also women, hatched twins or triplets.
How does pregnancy
Gestational hypertension during pregnancy is not dangerous if the pressure is raised too much. In severe cases, the pathology can lead to dangerous consequences for both mother and child.
Possible complications:
- Reduced blood flow to the placenta. In this case, the baby gets less oxygen and nutrients.
- Slow fetal growth. The cause of the complications is the lack of oxygen and nutrients due to problems with blood circulation. Children with slow intrauterine growth have a low birth weight.
- Placental abruption. The risk of complications increases with pre-eclampsia. Separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before delivery causing in some cases, severe bleeding. This complication can be dangerous for the life of the mother and child.
- Premature birth. The cause may also be problems with blood circulation, resulting from the increased pressure.
- Violation of the bodies. Due to the high pressure increases the resistance of the blood vessels. As a result, a woman can disrupt blood flow in many organs, including the uterus, liver, kidneys and brain.
- Possible cardiovascular disease in the future. The risk of their developing is increased if the woman had preterm delivery due to high blood pressure.
If untreated, severe stage of the disease can cause preeclampsia, dangerous convulsions (eclampsia) or even death of the mother and the fetus.
Stages and Symptoms
The disease is diagnosed during a routine examination, if the pressure was above 140/90 mmHg Measurements are carried out in a state of rest, one hour prior to diagnosis women should avoid exercise. To determine the pathology pressure is measured twice at intervals of 4-6 hours. In each case, it should be increased.
When hypertension is conducted further examination. During it, is palpation of the abdomen and liver. Additionally appointed laboratory, ophthalmologic and neurological research. Experts studying the condition of the lungs, heart, women reflexes. Inspection is necessary to prevent preeclampsia.
Stage of the disease:
- Easy. Diagnosed when the pressure is in the range of 140/90 to 149/99 mm Hg.
- Moderate. It is characterized by pressure from 150/100 to 159/109 mm Hg.
- Heavy. Is diagnosed if the pressure is higher than 160/110 mm Hg.
Light step may be asymptomatic. The most common signs of moderate and severe disease:
- swelling;
- sudden weight gain;
- blurred vision (blurred or double vision);
- nausea and vomiting;
- tinnitus;
- reducing the amount of urine output;
- pain in the right upper abdomen;
- shortness of breath.
Treatment
The main goal of treatment of hypertension in pregnancy - to prevent the development of more dangerous complications, including fetal growth or placental abruption. There are several treatment options:
- Bed rest. Limitation of physical activity helps reduce the risk of complications. A woman may stay at home or under the supervision of the hospital. Bed rest is particularly effective in case of violation of utero-placental blood flow.
- Short-term and long-term drug therapy. The first regimen is used in cases of emergency, and the second - to maintain the normal condition of the woman. The use of drugs during pregnancy can harm the mother and child. Therefore, drug therapy resorting to high pressure. Medications prescribed for performance over 150/100 mm Hg.
Treatment is based on:
- general condition of the woman;
- especially pregnant;
- stage of the disease;
- portability woman medications.
To rapidly reduce the pressure in the case of an emergency use:
- nifedipine;
- Nitroglycerine;
- clonidine;
- sodium nitroprusside.
Last preparation is used in severe cases, if there is no effect from the use of other drugs. It is rarely used because of the risk of fetal poisoning.
First-line drugs with long-term therapy with antihypertensive agents are methyldopa substance. These medicines are safe, but are slow. To enhance the effect of administered together with a diuretic, β-blocker or calcium antagonist.
In addition to drug therapy women are advised to correct lifestyles. Reduce the likelihood of complications with increasing pressure can be subject to the following recommendations:
- timely and regular visits to the doctor during pregnancy;
- Comply with specialists;
- timely administration of drugs;
- maintenance of physical activity;
- balanced healthy diet;
- rejection of bad habits.
For hypertension during pregnancy is necessary to enter into the diet products having a high content of protein, vitamins and trace elements. It is not recommended to limit the intake of salt, since because this may disrupt placental perfusion and reduced blood volume.
To reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia at a high pressure is used aspirin. He was appointed to the 12th week of pregnancy. Drink preparation is required before delivery. The means used at low risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal organs.
