Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension - What Should You Know?

Pregnancy is a thrilling time period for every woman, but at times things can go wrong and turn out to be scary due to certain complications. Pregnancy-Induced Induced Hypertension or Pre-eclampsia is a high blood pressure disorder of pregnancy. It is a major problem that occurs in women during their pregnancy, and it has an effect on nearly 7% of first-time mothers. The Pregnancy Induced Hypertension causes serious complications and in severe cases, it is dangerous for the baby as well as the mother. Pregnant women suffering from this condition are induced with early labour, if they suffer from PIH or pregnancy-induced hypertension.

The Three levels of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension include:

- Only High Blood Pressure
- High Blood Pressure and Protein in Urine or swelling
- High Blood Pressure, protein in urine, convulsions and swelling

Common Symptoms of Preeclampsia

The main symptoms that occur are:

- Blurred vision
- Upper right Abdominal Pain
- Headaches
- Swelling in the Face and Hands
- Infrequent Urination
- Rapid weight gain

Physiologic Tests

The methods that were used to test Pregnancy Induced Hypertension were the cold pressor test, the rollover test, and the isometric handgrip tests. These tests were carried out in pregnant women during their 29th to 31st week of pregnancy. These pregnancy-induced hypertension tests proved positive, and the diastolic rise in pressure was found to be about 20mmHg.  The pressure observed was not more than 140/90 in women in any case of two consecutive occasions. These results specify that not any of these trouble-free physiologic tests are of any application as a predictor of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension.

Cure

Preeclampsia occurs in women with a history of hypertension in parents, high proteinuria, BMI or Body Mass Index and family history of diabetes. It is by using a partial set of maternal characteristics that pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.

The cure for this condition-preeclampsia is delivery and in many cases, doctors insist their patients for a caesarian section. Sometimes the doctors suggest for an early delivery as it includes an additional threat of loss of the baby due to prematurity. 

The inflammatory disorder is characterized by anti-angiogenic protein in high levels and soluble forms like tyrosine kinase in the maternal circulation. It is very important that pregnant women adopt the process of self-evaluation to safeguard from the risk of high blood pressure. They must monitor their blood pressure from time to time as it would empower them to care for their pregnancy and reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy.