Loads of things happen throughout the pregnancy period. Some of them might be serious issues and others are quite normal. You may have many questions concerning your pregnancy. One of the questions that you may ask is, what is pregnancy induced hypertension? Generally, this is a state that brings high blood pressure during pregnancy. This condition is at times referred as gestational hypertension. If the condition goes to severe cases, it is termed as preeclampsia. It is not a condition and only affects about 8% of every pregnancy.
Which are the types of high blood pressure during pregnancy?
Generally, there are 3 types of high blood that occurs during pregnancy. They include
Gestational hypertension – this condition occurs after the 20th of pregnancy and ends after delivery.
Chronic hypertension – this develops before the 20th week and can continue after delivery. This condition is noticed and the woman is thought to have had high blood pressure even before her pregnancy.
Pregnancy induced hypertension it occurs after the 20th week of the pregnancy. It also occurs in young women especially during their first pregnancy. It mostly happens to twin pregnancies and women who have had this condition previous pregnancy.
What are the primary traits of PIH?
This condition is always accompanied by 3 primary traits. They include
- Edema or swelling
- Protein in the urine
- High blood pressure
What are the major causes of PIH?
Generally, there are recorded causes of PIH but there are conditions that increase its risk. They include diabetes, kidney disease, pre-existing hypertension, multiple fetuses, mothers age (normally less than 21 and older than 40) and PIH in previous pregnancy.
Which are the symptoms of PIH?
There are many symptoms of pregnancy induced hypertension. If incase you realize you have these symptoms, seek medical attention right away. These symptoms include
- Severe headaches and blood vomiting
- Unnecessary swelling of hands and feets
- Rapid heartbeat and dizziness
- Abnormal nausea and blood in the urine
- Drowsiness, fever and excessive vomiting
- Blurred or double vision or sudden blindness
- Severe abdominal pain
How does pregnancy induced hypertension affect the baby?
Generally, this condition prevents the placenta from acquiring enough blood. This therefore means that, the baby is not getting enough food and oxygen. If this happen throughout the pregnancy, it means the baby will be underweight and unhealthy. If this condition is detected early, the woman can still deliver a healthy baby with the required weight.
Treatment of PIH
The treatment for this condition depends on how far or close you are to your delivery. If you are very close, the doctors recommend an early delivery. This means that you have to go through surgery in order to get the baby. If incase you are very far from delivery, the following will be recommended
- Consumption of less salt
- Prenatal checkups increases
- Have plenty of water daily
- Total rest either at home or in the hospital
How to prevent PIH
- Take only prescribed medicine
- Obtain enough rest
- Exercise regularly
- Take plenty of water
- Protein consumption should be increased
- Mark the end of alcohol and caffeine beverages
It is highly advised for a pregnant woman who experiences symptoms of PIH to seek medical assistance at once.