High risk pregnancy

High BP (blood pressure) which develops during the pregnancy is called pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), which in severe cases can cause PRE ECLAMPSIA.

Some women have high BP prior to conceiving, this is called chronic hypertension. Women with chronic hypertension may already be on drugs while conceiving. Such women must visit the obstetrician prior to conception as certain medications used for controlling BP may not be good for the baby. We generally shift the women to another drug which can control the BP and also not harm the developing baby. These mothers may develop swelling of the feet, headache, increase in BP etc later during their pregnancies knowing as superimposed Pregnancy induced hypertension or pre eclampsia.

About 1 in 10 pregnant women has problems with high blood pressure.

If you are pregnant you should have regular blood pressure checks.

Most women will not develop any problems with their blood pressure during pregnancy. However, in some women, high blood pressure can develop. It is often mild and not serious. But in some cases, high blood pressure can become severe and can be harmful to both the mother and baby.

Some women can develop new high blood pressure during their pregnancy. This is called pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (or hypertension) or gestational high blood pressure (or hypertension).

Gestational high blood pressure is high blood pressure that develops for the first time after 5 months of pregnancy. Women with a family history of hypertension or history of PIH in previous pregnancies have a higher incidence of developing it. Also women who are overweight or obese prior to pregnancy and women who tend to gain too much weight during pregnancy are at high risk of developing PIH.

These women are also at risk for developing growth restriction in the baby (IUGR/FGR). These babies may have low birth weight due to deficient blood supply through the placenta.

Therefore these women and pregnancies should be monitored more strictly and vigilantly.