Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 05:26 am<\/p>
Gestational hypertension<\/strong> or PIH<\/strong> ( pregnancy induced hypertension) is the presence of high blood pressure after 5 months of pregnancy with large amounts of protein in urine. Like the name suggests, It is high blood pressure due to effects of pregnancy. High blood pressure<\/strong> is blood pressure that is\u00a0\u2265140\/90mmHg.<\/p>\n Gestational hypertension is the cause of death to both mother and baby.\u00a0Its estimated that 5 percent<\/strong> of pregnant women develop the disease. Without proper counselling and treatment, It could complicate with eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many pregnant women are at risk of gestational hypertension. These are some of the risk factors:<\/p>\n The age of the woman<\/strong>. Pregnant women more than 40 years or less than 18 years are at risk of PIH. If you are at this extreme of age and pregnant, visit your doctor early in pregnancy.<\/p>\n First time moms<\/strong>. Gestational hypertension is common in women pregnant for the first time. This chance is higher when other risk factors are present. It is vital for first time moms to visit prenatal clinic.\u00a0During clinic visits, you will be counselled by your doctor.<\/p>\n Weight of pregnant women<\/strong>. The weight of pregnant women is assessed with body mass index<\/strong>. This is commonly referred to as BMI. Its the function of weight and height. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25. More than 30 is obesity<\/strong>. Obese women with pregnancy are at risk of gestational hypertension.<\/p>\n Multiparous women<\/strong>. PIH mostly occurs in first time moms. However, pregnant women that has delivered before can still have PIH. This happens if:<\/p>\n Family history of PIH<\/strong>. The presence of PIH in either the mother or sister is a risk factor. Inform your doctor during your clinic visits.<\/p>\n Preexisting diseases<\/strong> \u00a0before pregnancy can predispose to PIH. These diseases are\u00a0diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases.<\/p>\n Although these risk factors will increase chances of PIH in pregnancy, It is about \u00a05 percent of women that develop the disease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n High blood pressure in pregnancy is classified into 3 groups<\/p>\n Gestational hypertension\u00a0or pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) without protein in urine<\/strong><\/p>\n This is common in pregnant women. These women have normal blood pressure before pregnancy. Symptoms and signs of high blood pressure develop after 5 months of pregnancy. Urine test done will reveal no protein. In addition, blood pressure returns to normal after delivery.<\/p>\n Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) with protein in urine<\/strong><\/p>\n This is similar to PIH without protein in urine. It is sometime called preeclampsia<\/a>. However, there is abnormal amounts of protein in urine. Protein in urine is abnormal when there is more than 300mg of protein in 24 hours urine sample. PIH, with protein in urine, occurs after 5 months of pregnancy. Blood pressure returns to normal after delivery of the baby.<\/p>\n Chronic hypertension<\/strong><\/p>\n These are women with high blood pressure before pregnancy. Their blood pressure is high in the first 5 months of pregnancy. Without proper care, it can lead to death of the mother and baby.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you are still confused about the symptoms, then lets make it clear. The symptoms and signs of gestational hypertension is dependent on the severity of the disease.<\/p>\n Women with mild disease will most times not show symptoms. However, rise in blood pressure will give rise to some of these symptoms:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many factors contribute to PIH. These are some factors:<\/p>\n Failure of trophoblast to invade placenta blood vessels is\u00a0attributed to the disease. This would reduce blood supply to the baby. Lack of oxygen and nutrient will result to hypoxia and widespread endothelial dysfunction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Other PIH effect on the baby includes<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The treatment of PIH in pregnancy is dependent on<\/p>\n The treatment of PIH requires use of blood pressure lowering drugs and anti seizure drugs.<\/p>\n However, the cure of gestational hypertension<\/strong> in pregnancy is delivery of the baby and placenta.<\/p>\n Pregnant women with mild disease (Blood pressure\u00a0\u2265140\/90 mmHg to 159\/109mmHg) are routinely counselled. Some of\u00a0your doctor’s advice include:<\/p>\n Pregnant women with severe disease ( Blood pressure\u00a0\u2265160\/110mmHg) are treated with:<\/p>\n Blood pressure lowering drugs<\/strong>. The common drugs used include methydopa, nifedipine, hydralazine, prazocin.<\/p>\n Anti seizure drugs<\/strong>. This will prevent onset of seizure in women with severe disease. The drug of choice is magnesium sulphate<\/a>. However, use of Magnesium sulphate should be monitored in pregnancy.<\/p>\n Women with mild disease are\u00a0treated conservatively. This provides\u00a0more time for your baby to mature. At 37 weeks, induction of labor is done\u00a0and baby delivered. cesarean section will be require if indicated.<\/p>\n Women with severe disease require close monitoring. More care would be needed for pregnancy below 32 weeks. Steroids are\u00a0given to help the baby lungs to mature. This will help breathing problems after delivery. Delivery of premature baby is by Cesarean section. This is to prevent further stress to the baby.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oral\u00a0calcium supplements<\/strong> is associated with reduced incidence of PIH in pregnancy. This has shown to reduced incidence of PIH in pregnancy. In addition, Low dose aspirin<\/strong> is helpful for patients with chronic high blood pressure or kidney disease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thanks for reading through. Lets share this post on Facebook, Twitter and Google plus. Have a question or suggestion? please comment below.<\/p>\n<\/span>What are the risk factors of gestational hypertension (PIH)?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>What are the types of high blood pressure in pregnancy?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>What are the symptoms and signs of Gestational hypertension?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>What is the cause of PIH or Gestational hypertension in pregnancy?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>How will Gestational hypertension Affect the baby?<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/span>What is PIH or Gestational hypertension treatment?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>What is the delivery plan for women with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension?<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Prevention of pregnancy induced hypertension<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>What are the complications of PIH?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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