What to do if you have high blood pressure in a pregnant woman. High blood pressure during pregnancy is a dangerous phenomenon for mother and baby

Why do pregnant women’s blood pressure always be measured in antenatal clinics? What are doctors afraid of? In this article you will learn why high blood pressure is dangerous during pregnancy, how to lower high blood pressure in the early and late stages, and what diet you should follow.

The force with which blood acts on the walls of blood vessels is blood pressure. The top number shows the pressure at the moment of contraction of the heart, and the bottom - at the moment of its relaxation. If the vessels operate under constant load, sooner or later this will lead to microcracks in the vessel walls. Through them, protein and fluid from the plasma can leak into the tissues, resulting in swelling.

Symptoms of high blood pressure during pregnancy

Through the blood, the child receives oxygen and the necessary substances for gradual development. If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, this cycle is disrupted and the baby stops developing normally. That is why, fearing extreme situations, doctors pay special attention to monitoring the blood pressure of a pregnant woman.

High blood pressure during pregnancy is accompanied by:

1. Noise in ears
2. Loss of coordination
3. Heaviness in the head
4. Deterioration of vision
5. Arrhythmia
6. Rapid weight gain (half a kilogram per week)
7. Swelling of the face and limbs
8. Protein in urine

High blood pressure is not usually observed in early pregnancy. The load on the body, in particular on the circulatory system, occurs at a later date, with the enlargement of the fetus. If, however, the pressure begins to increase in the first trimester, it is necessary to regulate it, since vasoconstriction can provoke a miscarriage.

When a pregnant woman's blood pressure increases, not only the blood vessels of the heart contract, but also the blood vessels of the pelvis and uterus. This can cause bleeding, which can trigger premature labor.

High blood pressure during late pregnancy is dangerous due to oxygen deficiency of the fetus and premature placental abruption, which can lead to the death of the child. To prevent blood pressure from increasing during pregnancy, a woman should not overwork.

High blood pressure during pregnancy is influenced by the woman's age, excess weight, and high blood pressure before pregnancy. The older a woman is, the more likely she is to have hypertension.

Various factors influence the increase in blood pressure: time of day, intake of tonic drinks and food, psychological state, physical activity. Blood pressure may change during pregnancy under the influence of these factors. A dangerous level is considered to be 140/90 or higher.

What types of high blood pressure are there during pregnancy? And

High blood pressure during pregnancy can be divided into 4 types:

1. Chronic high blood pressure(arterial hypertension). Typically, older people suffer from hypertension. But in some cases, increased blood pressure is observed during early pregnancy, as well as in girls and women just planning a pregnancy. Low blood pressure is most common in the first trimesters of pregnancy, but a small percentage of women under the age of forty (6% to 22%) are diagnosed with chronic hypertension. The more serious the chronic blood pressure disorder, the less experts recommend getting pregnant. Medicines that stabilize blood pressure can negatively affect the health of the woman and the fetus and lead to dire consequences for both.
2. Gestational hypertension- an intermediate state between normal and preeclampsia. Typically, this diagnosis is made if a woman has high blood pressure during pregnancy in the late stages of pregnancy (after 20 weeks). High blood pressure in late pregnancy may indicate possible complications. Having identified high blood pressure during pregnancy, doctors will monitor the condition of the expectant mother more closely and prescribe more tests in order to timely detect the accompanying symptom - an increase in protein levels in a daily urine test. Such careful monitoring is necessary because the likelihood of developing preeclampsia is very high. According to statistics, 50% of pregnant women who were diagnosed with gestational hypertension in late pregnancy began to develop preeclampsia.
3. Preeclampsia characterized by an excess of protein in the urine above 0.3 grams per day. The pregnant woman experiences spontaneous swelling, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, which are not typical for late pregnancy. A pregnant woman also develops high blood pressure and the supply of organs and tissues is disrupted. Of course, this affects the child, so constant supervision by specialists is required.
4. Eclampsia- a disease in pregnant women, accompanied by an intense increase in blood pressure, convulsions and loss of consciousness. There is a dangerous high probability of developing pathologies in the fetus, disruption of the functioning of the mother’s internal organs, and spontaneous abortion.

Folk remedies for high blood pressure during pregnancy

As you know, numerous medications are contraindicated for pregnant women. Therefore, it is useful for the expectant mother to remember traditional methods of stabilizing blood pressure. Here are some recipes that will help reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy:

• Freshly prepared vegetable and berry juices. A large amount of magnesium, folic and ascorbic acid, potassium ensures that juices from beets, carrots, cranberries, and chokeberries help dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. It is recommended to take them half a glass twice a day before meals.
  Birch sap has the same property. It is better to use it in the morning for the purpose of prevention against high blood pressure.
• Berry fruit drinks. From cranberries rich in vitamins, you can prepare a safe drink with a slight diuretic effect, which is very important when edema occurs. You need to squeeze the juice out of a third of a glass of washed berries, and pour a glass of boiling water over the cake and cook over low heat for two to three minutes. The broth should be cooled and strained, pour in the squeezed juice, you can sweeten the drink a little with honey. It is better not to use refined sugar.
• Viburnum infusion prepared from the fruits of the plant . Mash two tablespoons of berries with a spoon, pour a glass of boiling water, and leave for 15-20 minutes. A glass of infusion drunk in small sips will help reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy.
• Pumpkin pulp decoction also has antihypertensive properties. To prepare it, take 200 grams of peeled pumpkin pulp, cut into pieces. Simmer or cook it over low heat until a paste forms, adding 1 cup of boiling water. Then the composition is poured onto a sieve and cooled. You can enhance the beneficial properties of the drink by adding a teaspoon of high-quality fresh honey. Take 2 times a day, morning and evening.

Drugs for high blood pressure during pregnancy

The goal of lowering blood pressure during pregnancy is to prevent the development of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. In order to prevent the development of critical situations that can provoke high blood pressure during pregnancy, you should regularly monitor your blood pressure. At home, this is done using a tonometer. This device allows you to accurately determine the level of pressure in the vessels, stores the measurement results in memory, which helps to assess fluctuations in indicators and track changes occurring in the body.

The habit of measuring your blood pressure daily allows you to achieve several goals at once. First, regular checks help identify any abnormalities in your blood pressure levels. Secondly, it lays the foundation for being attentive to your well-being for the future. Subsequently, a woman will be more sensitive to her health than she can protect herself from cardiovascular disorders in later and older age. By continuing to follow new healthy habits, the expectant mother will be able to maintain youth and good health longer.

However, diet and lifestyle adjustments are not always able to give the desired effect and reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy. If blood pressure exceeds the accepted norm of 140/90 mmHg, then the doctor has the right to prescribe antihypertensive drugs to the pregnant patient.

Today, there is very little reliable medical data about which medications are most effective and safe for expectant mothers and best prevent the occurrence of preeclampsia and other complications. Much in this matter depends on the individual characteristics of each pregnant woman’s body. Therefore, doctors most often prescribe those medications for high blood pressure during pregnancy that contain the least harmful components and have the least pronounced side effects.

Medicines for high blood pressure during pregnancy based on a combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 have proven themselves to be effective. These are popular drugs (Magnefar, Magne B6, etc.) that are easily tolerated by most patients. Magnesium in such preparations gently dilates blood vessels, and vitamin B6 enhances its effect.

Sedatives based on medicinal plants (extract of valerian, motherwort, peony, Novopassit, Persen, etc.) can be prescribed for non-critical increases in blood pressure during pregnancy. The substances included in their composition have a relaxing effect on the nervous system, relieving tension, a common cause of high blood pressure.

There are medications that can reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy without having a teratogenic effect (harmful to the fetus). This category includes:

• Dopegit(active ingredient Methyldopa). A relatively inexpensive, safe and effective drug that works best in the early stages of pregnancy.
• Blockers calcium channels (Verapamil, Nifedipine, Normodipine) are prescribed from the 14th week of pregnancy (from the 2nd trimester). The new generation of tablets is produced in such a way that it is enough to take one per day, since the active substances are slowly released and enter the bloodstream.
• β-blockers(Atenolol, Labetalol, Nebivolol) are prescribed and used under strict medical supervision due to their ability to slow down the fetal heart rate. They are prescribed from the second trimester and only for special indications.

Prohibited foods for high blood pressure

A properly balanced diet often helps maintain normal blood pressure during pregnancy. Pregnant women also have many dietary restrictions, but if you are predisposed to arterial hypertension, you should avoid a number of the following foods so as not to cause high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Products to avoid:

1. fatty meat and fish, lard, offal, brain, caviar, sausages;
2. smoked and canned foods, including canned vegetables and fruits;
3. concentrated meat and fish broths;
4. hard-boiled chicken eggs and fried eggs;
5. any fried foods;
6. salty and spicy snacks;
7. legumes and mushrooms;
8. industrial and homemade sauces, seasonings, spices;
9. fatty fermented milk products, cheeses, fatty cottage cheese, sweetened yoghurts, acid whey;
10. fresh bread and pastries, pastries with cream;
11. pineapples (including juice and canned food), bananas, pickled apples;
12. coffee, strong tea, chocolate, cocoa;
13. Refined sugar and any alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited;
14. hot and hot spices (cloves, pepper, mustard, horseradish), products with monosodium glutamate, vinegar, ketchup and mayonnaise.

List of allowed products for high blood pressure

The list of prohibited foods looks so impressive that it begs the question, “What can you eat?!” The menu list for pregnant women with high blood pressure should consist of light, healthy foods that will have a beneficial effect on your well-being.

You should definitely include these dishes in your daily diet:

• First meal. Let it be soups with low-fat meat or vegetable broths, delicate slimy milk and cereal porridges. The less fat is used in cooking, the better, so it is recommended to dry the flour and vermicelli in a frying pan without oil. The optimal serving of soup is approximately 240-300 ml.
• Second courses. For the second, meat, fish and poultry must be of dietary (low-fat) varieties. You can make steamed cutlets, meatballs, casseroles, rolls, etc. from lean meat (turkey, beef, chicken, rabbit). Red meat is prepared like beef stroganoff, boiled and baked. There are many recipes for preparing delicious fish (cod, navaga, pike perch, hake, haddock, ice fish, etc.) without the use of frying or oil. Before cooking, fish must be freed from skin and bones and baked or steamed in the form of soufflés, cutlets, and meatballs.
• Flour products and bread. It is best to choose dried or yesterday's bread, from grade 1 and 2 wholemeal flour. You can eat cookies and biscuits that are low in fat, sugar and salt.
• Side dishes. A good side dish would be fresh, boiled, baked or pureed vegetables. There are no restrictions on the consumption of pumpkin, carrots, beets, zucchini, cauliflower, kohlrabi, potatoes and Jerusalem artichoke. It is recommended to eat green peas, beans and white cabbage with caution. You can also serve boiled cereals and small pasta as a side dish.
• Cheeses and sausages. Cheeses and sausages should be selected from varieties that contain low amounts of fat, preservatives, flavor enhancers and flavorings. Dietary cheeses (“Light”) and sausages: “Doctorskaya”, “Molochnaya”, etc. are suitable.
• Eggs. Eggs are acceptable for consumption, but in limited quantities. It is better to cook 1-2 eggs a week soft-boiled, “in a bag”, in the form of a steam omelet or as part of dishes (meringues, etc.).
• Dairy products. Low-fat and non-acidic dairy products are recommended. Fresh kefir, sour cream, and yogurt are good. You can diversify the menu with cottage cheese dishes - various casseroles, soufflés, cheesecakes. In the absence of lactose intolerance, whole milk is best consumed with tea, as part of porridges, milk soups, jelly and jellies, and milk-fruit sauces. Butter should be added to dishes in small quantities.
• Fruits and berries. Berries and fruits will reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy, so you should definitely include them in your diet: jam, juice, fruit drink, puree, as well as fresh berries and fruits. It is useful to eat apricots, hawthorn, lingonberries, grapes, strawberries, shadberry, viburnum, cranberries, gooseberries, raspberries, sea buckthorn, peaches, plums, chokeberries, soft varieties of pears and apples.
• Sauces and spices. It is better to limit sauces and spices. Sometimes you can use a small amount of bay leaf, cinnamon, chopped dill and parsley; For sauces, it is recommended to prepare a light version of bechamel - add unfried flour and a small amount of butter to the mixture of milk and eggs.
• Beverages. Drinks should be weak: weak tea, diluted juices from vegetables, fruits and berries. Tea made from rose hips, jelly made from wheat bran, sweetened with honey are useful.

Rules for healthy eating with high blood pressure

Measures to limit certain foods and add others to the diet are designed to help the pregnant woman’s body cope with fluid stagnation in the tissues and make weight gain even.

A balanced, complete diet must contain sufficient nutrients. For pregnant women, their daily amount should be as follows:

• Squirrels- 100-120 grams, 75% of which should be of animal origin (meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs);
• Fats- 80-100 grams (about 20 grams - vegetable fats);
• Carbohydrates- no more than 350-400 grams.

Doctors recommend maintaining a regular and stable diet - this will help influence high blood pressure during pregnancy. This means eating at the same time four times a day. It is usually suggested to follow a 30-40-10-20 scheme, in which each meal contains a certain percentage of daily calories. That is, during breakfast it is better to eat 30% of the daily value of kilocalories, for lunch - 40%, for an afternoon snack - 10% and for dinner - 20%. This way you can relieve the load on the gastrointestinal tract in the evening and prepare the body for sleep.

For the same reason, it is worth leaving heavy and filling foods for the morning and afternoon meals, and for dinner there are easily digestible dairy dishes - cottage cheese and products made from it, kefir, sour cream, etc. It is better to finish dinner two to three hours before going to bed. This way the stomach will have time to digest food and not interfere with rest.

If the first trimester of pregnancy passes without attacks of jumping pressure, then there is no need for strict restrictions. As your blood pressure rises, you need to reduce your fluid intake. Instead of the usual liters of drinks, it is better to drink no more than 3-4 glasses of liquid. It is worth paying attention to the amount of salt. Salt can retain fluid in the body, so you should prepare food without salt. If you are not used to eating food without salt, you can add a small pinch of salt before meals, decreasing the amount each time. Over time, you will get used to salt-free food.

It is better to break meals into smaller meals, eating 5-6 times a day. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the serving size and the content of carbohydrates and fats. It is better to give up meat, fish and mushroom broths for a while, replacing them with light vegetable soups. But the amount of dairy products should be increased, the diet should be supplemented with milk soups, jelly and other products. Thanks to this, the pregnant woman’s body will receive the necessary amount of proteins that will help the fetus develop properly.

Do I need to go to the hospital?

Urgent hospitalization is needed regardless of the stage of pregnancy, if the condition of the expectant mother suddenly worsens.

1. If there is high blood pressure during pregnancy in the first trimester, then the woman will need the help of cardiologists. Therefore, hospitalization in the cardiology department will be the right decision. Doctors will select the safest medications to maintain normal blood pressure, this will give the woman the opportunity to safely bear a child.
2. There are women who do not feel an increase in blood pressure. Their health remains good and no clinical symptoms are observed. But if the tonometer shows inflated numbers, then hospitalization will be required for examination and clarification of the causes of hypertension.
3. Hospitalization and examination should not be ignored, especially when high blood pressure is observed in late pregnancy. Based on the information received, doctors will decide whether the woman can give birth naturally or whether surgical intervention will be required.

You learned how and how to reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy. Swelling and high blood pressure are common at 39-40 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, we offer you a number of exercises for high blood pressure during late pregnancy:

Yoga for high blood pressure in late pregnancy:

My pregnancy. High blood pressure in the early stages

Blood pressure during pregnancy: normal

Blood pressure (BP) is an indicator of the force of moving blood on the walls of blood vessels. Any of its deviations to a large or - alarm signal. It is especially important to monitor blood pressure readings during pregnancy to eliminate the risk of adverse consequences for the mother and child.

However, we should not forget that blood pressure levels may change under the influence of certain factors:

• during active physical activity;
• in case of overexertion or severe fatigue;
• after taking a tonic - strong brewed tea or coffee;

• in stressful situations;
• after taking certain medications;
• while eating.

During pregnancy normal indicators blood pressure are considered:

• not less marks 110/70 m. Hg. Art.
• not higher marks 140/90 m. Hg. Art.

Abbreviation "m. rt. Art." stands for millimeter of mercury and is a unit of measurement for pressure.

If the blood pressure level is below 110/70, arterial hypotension is diagnosed. And if the indicator exceeds 140/90 - arterial hypertension.

It should be remembered that in some cases deviations in blood pressure may be physiological in nature. Thus, at the beginning of pregnancy, the amount of hormone in a woman’s blood increases, which is a prerequisite for a tendency for a sharp decrease in blood pressure. And after the first trimester, when the hormone level begins to decrease, there is a tendency to increase blood pressure.

In the middle of the second trimester, an additional circle of blood circulation develops in the pregnant woman’s body.

Consequently, the volume of circulating blood increases and the load on the heart increases. It begins to contract more often, and blood output increases 2 times.

This is how arterial hypertension occurs. But in this case it is physiological and does not require treatment if the woman’s general favorable condition.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous during pregnancy?

Regular increase in blood pressure in a pregnant woman is a serious symptom that cannot be ignored. In such cases, it is possible to develop gestosis - a severe complication of the last weeks of pregnancy, characterized by deviations in the functioning of important systems and internal organs. Most often, the cardiovascular and circulatory systems are affected.

The placenta secretes substances that form microscopic holes in the walls of blood vessels. Through them, fluid flows from the blood to the tissues, which is why limbs appear. The placenta itself suffers from this process, as it also undergoes edema. And such a state may cause a lack of oxygen in the baby.

High blood pressure in pregnant women also may cause:

Signs of high blood pressure

To accurately determine blood pressure levels, a special medical device is used - a tonometer. It can be purchased freely, both electronically and in the usual manual version. But elevated levels can also be diagnosed based on a number of pronounced symptoms.

Main features indicators of hypertension in a pregnant woman are:

• severe headaches;
• deterioration in general health;
• noise in ears;
• feeling of nausea and vomiting;
• redness of the facial skin;

• blurred vision and spots before the eyes;
• fever and dizziness;
• feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• bleeding from the nose.

In some cases, hypertension can occur without severe symptoms, therefore it is important to measure regularly pressure of the expectant mother.

Causes of high blood pressure

High blood pressure in pregnant women has an individual character. There is no specific reason for its increase; it all depends on the characteristics of the woman’s body and its compensatory forces. But a number of factors may provoke an increase in performance. These include:

• stressful situations and depression;
• hereditary predisposition;
• diabetes;
• smoking and drinking alcohol;
• lack of physical activity;
• excess weight (obesity);
• kidney diseases;

• tendency to increase blood pressure before pregnancy;
• endocrine disorders;
• diseases of the urinary and cardiovascular systems;
• received traumatic brain injuries;
• abuse of salty and smoked foods.

How to lower blood pressure during pregnancy?

The main rule is do not self-medicate! Do not take medications or herbal tinctures without consulting your doctor. If necessary, the specialist will prescribe diagnostic procedures and treatment methods. At home, you can try to stabilize your blood pressure with safe and proven methods:

• Avoid salty foods and limit your salt intake to a minimum. This will help normalize cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in the blood.

• Eat beets, drink cranberry juice and beet juice.
• Avoid foods that increase blood pressure. Strong coffee, tea and chocolate are prohibited.
• A salad made from raw vegetables is healthy. Mix carrots, beets and cabbage in equal portions and season with oil.
• Prepare a decoction of pumpkin and honey. Boil 150-200 gr. pumpkin, cool, add 1-2 dessert spoons of honey. Take once with food.

• Drink tea (not strong) with lemon or eat a slice of lemon. It reduces blood pressure.

All of these methods can reduce blood pressure. But if there is no improvement in your condition, you should Seek help from a qualified professional.

Prevention

It is better to prevent any problem than to treat it. Therefore it is worth observe preventive measures.

Such simple rules will help prevent adverse consequences and avoid serious problems.

High blood pressure is a serious danger for pregnant women. remember, that it is important to monitor for any deviations in the functioning of the body, and if symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor.

A pregnant woman’s blood pressure begins to be measured immediately at her first appointment with a doctor. The doctor will also clarify whether the expectant mother has hypotension or hypertension. After all, each of these deviations from the norm can provoke trouble. What blood pressure would be considered normal during early pregnancy? And what to do if it is increased or decreased?

Read in this article

Blood pressure is normal

Each of us has measured our blood pressure at least once. For some, it is almost always slightly increased or decreased, but does not cause discomfort. As for the expectant mother, ideally she should know her blood pressure before pregnancy in order to compare it with the indicators in the new state. The normal range for a healthy person is considered to be between 90-120/60-80 mmHg. Art. respectively. Anything higher or lower is considered a deviation and requires adjustment, as it can affect the mother and child. In fact, 140/90 or 100/60 is a reason to see a doctor as soon as possible.

It is recommended that a woman keep a record of her blood pressure, mark it on a piece of paper, and then show it to the doctor. Since in the first trimester all the main organs important for a normal life are formed in the fetus, nothing should interfere with the course of pregnancy.

How to measure blood pressure yourself: important rules

Pressure is measured using tonometers. There are several options in pharmacies, including the latest generation - electronic ones. They are quite easy to use, so there are no difficulties with their use. The only condition: the woman must carefully read the instructions. It is worth following a few basic rules to get accurate data:

• be sure to conduct the examination at the same time;
• coffee and nicotine can change the data, do not consume them at least an hour before measurements (even a few a day are harmful to the health of the mother and child);
• Before putting on the cuff, it is better to lie down for a few minutes;
• if you want to go to the toilet “in a small way,” then you should initially go and then take measurements;
• talking, spinning and moving while measuring blood pressure is prohibited;
• if you have any doubts about the data obtained, you can repeat the procedure after a couple of minutes;
• medications affect the indicators, so measurements must be taken several hours after taking them;
• Blood pressure measurements should be taken while sitting.

What indicators indicate low blood pressure?

It is hypotension or low blood pressure that occurs most often in early pregnancy. If a woman had normal indicators before, then deviations of 10%-15% will already significantly affect her body. That is, the pressure is 100/70 mm Hg. Art. for some it will be the norm, and for others it will be reduced. The change will be to blame. With an increase in its quantity, the pregnant woman relaxes the muscles of the uterus and the walls of blood vessels, which leads to their expansion and a decrease in pressure.

Low blood pressure during early pregnancy manifests itself in the following symptoms:

• the woman constantly wants to sleep, as if she does not have enough oxygen;
• shortness of breath increases when walking;
• lethargy occurs, it becomes difficult to work, as it is impossible to concentrate;
• sometimes you hear tinnitus;
• a woman may periodically;
• pregnant woman accompanied, dizziness.

Who is more likely to suffer from low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure is likely to occur during early pregnancy in girls diagnosed with vegetative-vascular dystonia, as well as in those who have a tendency to hypotension and anemia. Expectant mothers who are on strict diets, experience regular stress, and also cannot eat well due to a low social level are at risk. Hypotension can also be caused by dehydration due to toxicosis, infectious diseases, and a sedentary lifestyle.

It is worth noting that slender girls have a much higher chance of suffering from low blood pressure. But expectant mothers with curvy figures are more likely to face increased or hypertension.

What are the risks of hypotension during pregnancy?

Low blood pressure during early pregnancy is not only a discomfort for the expectant mother, but also a real threat to the child. Since at first the baby does not yet have a separate blood circulation from the mother, regular, lack of oxygen as a result can lead to a delay in the baby’s development. However, low blood pressure can increase symptoms of toxicosis and vomiting, which will make the expectant mother feel even worse.

To understand how terrible the “attack” is for many pregnant women, we recommend reading the article. From it you will learn what factors become harbingers of an unpleasant phenomenon, what symptoms may indicate its approach, as well as how to help yourself if such an unpleasant sign of pregnancy has not bypassed you.

As for the second and third trimesters, hypotension is also terrible for the child. By the way, if the indicators only sometimes decrease, then this will not bring such severe consequences, since the vessels in the placenta can already independently support normal blood circulation. If a pregnant woman suffers from hypotension for almost the entire period, then placental insufficiency, oxygen starvation of the fetus, difficulties during labor, and gestosis may develop as a result. But the worst thing that can happen is a miscarriage caused by hypotension. Also, severe intrauterine bruises cannot be ruled out if the mother falls during dizziness or fainting.

How to raise blood pressure during pregnancy

To get rid of low blood pressure, there are several proven methods, which are best used in combination:

• Sudden rises from bed are not for pregnant women. It's better to wake up calmly, relax a little and enjoy the morning. This will protect you from attacks of nausea and dizziness. Some noted that they felt much better if they slept on high pillows.
• A light snack right in bed is not a whim, but a healthy habit for toxicosis and hypotension. A small cracker and fruit are suitable for this purpose.
• If you suddenly feel dizzy, then you should lie down on the floor or sofa, raise your legs along the wall and stay in this position for a couple of minutes. The blood will change its location and enter the brain, saturating it with sufficient oxygen.
• The effect will also be from compression stockings, which also prevent varicose veins.
• Light physical exercise will improve your general condition, keep your body in good shape and increase your blood pressure.
• Watch your food, be sure to include fruits and juices. Simple kitchen salt can help solve the problem. Due to the fact that it retains fluid in the body, blood will circulate better through the vessels. Pregnant women with hypotension are allowed to consume salt even a little more than they should (although you need to know the limit in everything).
• Raw celery root and strawberries are exactly the foods that will raise your blood pressure.
• As for special teas for hypertensive patients, they can be found in the pharmacy (only reading the instructions can protect the young mother from taking any medications incorrectly!).
• It is possible, but rarely, in small quantities, with milk. Since it is possible to increase blood pressure in the early stages of pregnancy, it is worth considering all possible consequences.

Any medications can be taken only after consultation with a specialist! Don't listen to anyone! Everything that was completely simple and familiar before pregnancy can become quite dangerous during pregnancy. Special medications for low blood pressure constrict blood vessels, resulting in oxygen starvation in the fetus! Some of them can even develop pathologies.

What blood pressure is considered high?

High blood pressure during early pregnancy begins at 140/90 mmHg. Art. But in each case everything is taken into account individually. Since a woman could have values ​​within 90/60 mmHg before conception. Art., then 120/80 mm Hg. Art. will already be high for her.

The symptoms of high blood pressure during pregnancy are somewhat similar to the symptoms of low blood pressure, however, they can still be distinguished before measurement:

• a woman experiences headaches of varying intensity;
• vision problems arise, the pregnant woman sees “goosebumps” in front of her;
• ringing in the ears periodically appears;
• profuse sweating begins;
• There are disruptions in the normal rhythm of the heart.

Who is more prone to high blood pressure

A slight increase in blood pressure in the early stages of pregnancy is a completely typical and natural phenomenon. After all, the expectant mother’s blood volume increases, the load on the heart increases, but all this is necessary for the normal interaction of the mother-placenta-fetus system. However, there is a category of women who have a higher chance of suffering from hypertension.

Precursors to high blood pressure will be:

• hypertension detected before pregnancy (in those who have a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg constantly or at regular intervals);
• the presence of neuroendocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid and/or adrenal disease, etc.);
• diseases of the nervous system accompanied by disturbances in the regulation of vascular tone (encephalitis, myelitis, brain injuries, back injuries, and others);
• diseases of the heart and other organs that can affect increased blood pressure;
• hepatitis;
• overweight;

If high blood pressure is detected, the expectant mother will be asked to go to the hospital. Before writing a refusal, it is worth knowing about the consequences of such a decision.

What are the risks of high blood pressure during pregnancy?

Like low blood pressure, high blood pressure during early pregnancy affects the walls of blood vessels and increases muscle tone. It can also disrupt normal blood circulation in the placenta, as a result of which the baby will be under constant threat. From the second trimester, hypertension will lead to the presence of protein in the urine and, most unpleasantly, preeclampsia. The latter diagnosis may manifest itself so strongly that either an early cesarean section will have to be performed, or the pregnant woman may be advised to undergo it in order to save her life.

A woman who is prone to hypertension, has already experienced or premature birth, must independently monitor her blood pressure daily.

How to reduce blood pressure during pregnancy

The first thing you should do when you notice high blood pressure is to see a doctor to identify the underlying problem. All hypertension most often manifests itself as a concomitant disease, rather than the main one. Only a specialist can select the appropriate medications to reduce the indicators and not harm the child. In general, a pregnant woman should adhere to the following rules:

• reduce salt intake;
• generally give up fatty foods in favor of fruits and vegetables (raw and/or steamed);
• control your weight, arrange fasting days;
• do not lie on the couch all day long, reveling in your new condition;
• walk more in the fresh air, do light yoga.

Of course, we shouldn’t forget about rest. Regular loads and constant over-employment will only provoke the development of deviations. And, of course, be sure to monitor your health and do not delay visiting a doctor. After all, a timely visit often allows you to start treatment on time and avoid serious consequences. Positive emotions and impressions will only become an additional advantage when carrying a child and will add optimism to both the mother and the unborn baby.

We live in a fast-paced and busy time, which brings us not only the benefits of civilization, but also some “side effects,” for example, a high level of stress. And stress, in turn, also gives us surprises, for example, high blood pressure during pregnancy - after all, the body also perceives pregnancy as a kind of stress...

Therefore, blood pressure control is a mandatory procedure for all expectant mothers. It makes sense to measure your blood pressure once a week, and if any problems begin, do it daily. Of course, for this you need to know the normal values.

You've probably heard that the first number means systolic and the second diastolic pressure, and that in a healthy person they should be 120/80? However, it is worth focusing on your individual indicators. It is believed that normal blood pressure during pregnancy is no higher than 140/90 and no lower than 90/60.

Quite a large range of values, isn't it? This means that you must know your “working pressure”, the one that you usually experience. 90/60 for a 20-year-old girl weighing 50 kg who has not given birth is absolutely normal, but the notorious 120/80 would already be considered rather high.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous during pregnancy?

Unfortunately, a steady increase in pressure during this period is an alarming symptom. If blood pressure rises during pregnancy, doctors fear the possible development of a dangerous and insidious complication during pregnancy, which consists of disrupting the functioning of vital organs, and primarily the cardiovascular and circulatory systems.

It arises from the fact that the placenta produces substances that cause microholes to form in the vessels. Through them, plasma protein and fluid enter the tissues from the blood, which causes swelling, primarily in the legs and hands. The worst thing is that not only the limbs swell, but also the placenta, and this already causes a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

Even if high blood pressure during pregnancy is not a sign of gestosis, you still can’t give up on it; after all, it’s not for nothing that doctors in the antenatal clinic pay so much attention to monitoring blood pressure in women who are registered as expecting a baby. The fact is that high blood pressure during pregnancy provokes changes in the blood vessels of the placenta and fetus.

Reduced blood circulation between mother and child is called fetoplacental insufficiency. If a child does not have enough oxygen and nutrients, intrauterine growth retardation may begin, and this is very serious.

If blood pressure fluctuates regularly during pregnancy and the readings are quite high (140-150 and above), this can lead to premature placental abruption- a very dangerous complication of the normal course of pregnancy. Hypertension in the mother may well cause a threat of miscarriage or premature birth. Finally, high blood pressure in the mother during childbirth can lead to eclampsia - a convulsive syndrome, which is also not beneficial for either the woman or her child.

Signs of high blood pressure during pregnancy

The most accurate way to find out your blood pressure is to measure it using a special device (tonometer), which it is advisable for every pregnant woman to purchase, and if there are problems with blood pressure, then purchasing it is a must. At home, it is more convenient to use an electronic tonometer, but a regular one is also quite suitable - some doctors even believe that its readings are more accurate, and it costs less.

But a woman can also find out about increased blood pressure by her own feelings: this condition may be accompanied by headaches, sometimes very strong, dizziness.

Also characteristic:

• deterioration of health;
• noise in ears;
• nausea, vomiting;
• the appearance of “flies” before the eyes;
• the appearance of red spots on the skin of the face and chest or general redness of the skin in these areas.

But it also happens that hypertension is asymptomatic, does not bother the pregnant woman and is detected only during the next blood pressure measurement.

Causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy

Why does blood pressure increase during pregnancy? There are several most common reasons for this.

• stress, already mentioned above. The stress on the body is so great that it does not have time to adapt and reacts with pressure surges;
• insufficiency of the compensatory forces of the pregnant woman’s body. The heart, which must pump blood “for two,” cannot cope with the increased volume of circulating blood;
• heredity. If any of your close relatives had high blood pressure, there is a chance that you will have to deal with it too;
• diabetes. It does not increase blood pressure during pregnancy, but diabetes can be an unfavorable factor;
• smoking. In any case, it does not add health, but nicotine is one of the first to affect the cardiovascular system;
• weak physical activity. A trained heart copes with stress much better;
• overweight or obesity. Carefully monitor how much you gain during pregnancy, control this process;
• kidney problems. Oddly enough, there is a direct relationship - often people suffering from kidney diseases (for example, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis) have high blood pressure;
• disturbance of hormonal activity of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary gland. Often, high blood pressure during pregnancy is the result of these hormonal shocks, because at this time women experience real hormonal storms.

Reduced blood pressure during pregnancy

Many women are interested in how to reduce blood pressure during pregnancy on their own? But just in this case, self-medication is unacceptable. Do not take any blood pressure pills during pregnancy, or drink any herbs until you consult your doctor!

The doctor will examine you and prescribe medication. Strictly adhere to the regimen of medications and their dosage, do not stop taking medications without permission - when it comes to high blood pressure, the result is achieved only by carefully following all recommendations.

You may need to be hospitalized in the pregnancy pathology department of the maternity hospital. There you will not only be treated, but also an individual birth plan will be drawn up, taking into account high blood pressure. Often in this case, epidural anesthesia is prescribed during childbirth,

Why does the doctor monitoring your pregnancy constantly ask about your blood pressure? Why isn’t feeling well enough reason to stop controlling your blood pressure? What symptoms should you pay especially close attention to - and should you be afraid of taking medications to lower your blood pressure?

Specialists from the Center for Family Planning and Reproduction answer these questions.

Normal and high blood pressure during pregnancy

How is arterial hypertension treated?

First of all, please note: to cope with hypertension, you need to be observed by both an obstetrician-gynecologist and a therapist. Hypertension is treated not only with medication, but also with lifestyle adjustments.

eliminate emotional stress;

spend at least 2 hours a day in the fresh air;

change your diet: no more than 5 g of salt per day, a minimum of vegetable and animal fats, an abundance of grains, dairy products and plant fiber;

be physically active (within reason),

accustom yourself to rest during the day (“bed rest”);

keep your hypertension under control, get tested regularly, and do not stop antihypertensive therapy without special instructions from your doctor.

In some cases, you may also be prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures: electrosleep, inductothermy of the feet and legs, diathermy of the perinephric area.

Is it possible to manage only with non-drug measures?

This is quite possible if you were previously hypertensive, your blood pressure does not exceed 140-150 over 90-100, there are no serious pressure surges, and you have no signs of damage to the kidneys, fundus or fetoplacental system.

However, if the results do not give the desired result, you should switch to drug treatment and start taking antihypertensive drugs.

Isn't it harmful for pregnant women to take blood pressure medications?

It depends on what medications. Naturally, under no circumstances should you take “on duty” pills from the medicine cabinet or take medications that your mother (grandmother, friend) takes. But, fortunately, there are a number of medications that are harmless to the fetus. The doctor who is caring for your pregnancy will prescribe them for you.

Blood pressure and pregnancy: algorithm of actions

Situation 1. I am hypertensive and planning to get pregnant. What should I do?

It is very good that you are taking care in advance to ensure that the pregnancy proceeds normally. We are much more able to help you before pregnancy than during it.

First of all, buy a tonometer and check your “working” pressure. To do this, you need to collect information about your blood pressure levels over several weeks and then report the results to your doctor.

The therapist will prescribe you a course of antihypertensive therapy, which will help you get your blood pressure under control. After this, you can safely carry your pregnancy to term.

Your problems with blood pressure may also be associated with excess weight - then your doctor will recommend that you adjust your diet and lifestyle, and also carefully monitor how you gain weight.

Be prepared for the fact that you will need to monitor your blood pressure levels during pregnancy.

Situation 2. I am hypertensive, I am already pregnant and have not undergone antihypertensive therapy. What to do now?

You're not alone: ​​It's quite common for pregnant women to experience high blood pressure during the second trimester of pregnancy, around week 20. This may be due to the development of the placenta, the patient’s lifestyle, or other factors.

You realize that you have a problem with blood pressure - and that’s already good. If you do not ignore your doctor's recommendations, you will most likely be able to carry your pregnancy to term.

Monitor your blood pressure, see a therapist and cardiologist regularly;

Do not refuse antihypertensive therapy if prescribed to you;

Follow a diet, avoid stress, and monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Situation 3. I am pregnant, I feel great, but my blood pressure persists.

1. Buy a tonometer and measure your blood pressure regularly. Record the results: if high blood pressure persists for more than a few days, consult a physician.

2. Get treatment. Obstetrics is very conservative in terms of the choice of drug treatment: you will be prescribed drugs that will definitely not harm either you or the child.

3. Don't refuse hospitalization. If treatment does not give the desired result, or the doctor believes that the risk is high, he will suggest that you go to hospital. No one has the right to force you to go to the hospital - but you are responsible for your life and the life of your child.

Avoid coffee, strong tea and chocolate;

Eliminate smoked meats, pickles, fatty and sweet foods from your diet;

If you have not yet quit smoking, quit as soon as possible;

Find time for daily walks, play sports if you have no contraindications;

Don't skip visits to the doctor, get tested regularly and listen to yourself carefully: at the first appearance of alarming symptoms, consult your therapist.

If you notice that your blood pressure is always higher than normal when measured by your healthcare provider, you most likely have white coat hypertension. Most likely, you are very worried at the doctor’s appointment, and this prevents you from getting the most accurate picture. This syndrome is observed in 20-30% of pregnant women. If this is the case, you should measure and monitor your blood pressure regularly throughout the day and report the results to your doctor.