Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

High blood pressure, or hypertension, has often been referred to as "the silent killer" because of its tendency to creep up on you without overt warning and cause such serious events as heart attack or stroke. When a woman is pregnant and her body is working to support two hearts, the dangers of hypertension are obviously doubled.

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is one of the major health risks for any pregnant woman, along with infection and hemorrhage. Even if you have not experienced hypertension before, it can occur during pregnancy. It has been shown to affect between 5-8% of first time mothers. Hypertension can manifest itself in many ways - either high blood pressure on its own or in combination with excess protein in the urine, swelling and in severe cases, even convulsions.

As with any medical condition during pregnancy, the most important step is to make sure you have regular prenatal care. PIH can be detected early during a normal prenatal visit and the sooner it is diagnosed, the better for you and your baby. If left untreated, PIH can result in premature birth, still birth or affected growth patterns in the baby and can obviously have serious effects on the mothers’ health as well.

While the causes of this condition are not fully known, there are some distinct warning signs, including a weight gain for 4-5 lbs. in a single week; swelling of face, hands, feet or ankles; severe headaches; blurry vision or spots in front of your eyes; severe pain in the area between the bottom of your rib cage and the top of your belly or decreased urination. If you experience any of these, you should inform your doctor immediately so that he can have you tested for hypertension.

Some of the key symptoms of PIH, such as increased blood pressure and high protein in the urine, are detectable only through medical examination, which is why it is crucial that you keep to your schedule of regular medical visits throughout your pregnancy.

Treatment for PIH varies from dietary restrictions to exercise to extra rest, depending upon the individual. Calcium has been known to help reduce symptoms of PIH and some herbal remedies have also proven helpful. You should always talk to you doctor before undertaking any of these methods, so that together you can determine which is best for you.

PIH is a serious illness, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating. With proper care and treatment, you and your baby can have a healthy, happy birth experience.