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Pregnancy It is a really difficult time. Besides all these symptoms, but it can also lead to various complications and problems for you. And PIH or pregnancy-induced hypertension is a form of hypertension that pregnant women usually suffer. Studies suggest that about 10% of all pregnant women report cases of PIH every year. In many cases, PIH can also turn fatal if left untreated. So if your doctor has diagnosed with gestational hypertension or you are simply looking for some more information on the disorder, consider reading our post below!
What Is PIH?
If you have developed high BP 20 weeks or more into the pregnancy, but tests show no traces of protein in the urine, you are likely to have contracted pregnancy induced hypertension or gestational hypertension as most of doctors call. The doctors first rule out preeclampsia before diagnosing you to PIH (1).
Gestational hypertension is easy to manage, if detected early. However, if left untreated gestational hypertension may occur in severe cases of hypertension (2). High BP during pregnancy can manifest itself in three different ways:
1. Chronic hypertension:
Women who report high blood pressure above 140/0 clocking on most of the controls, before pregnancy , and who continue to suffer even after having conceived is said to suffer from chronic hypertension.
2. gestational hypertension :.
High blood pressure puts after week 20 of pregnancy, but normalizes after delivery is referred to as gestational hypertension
3. Preeclampsia:
Both chronic hypertension and gestational hypertension, if untreated, can lead to preeclampsia - a serious health condition after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Some of the many symptoms of preeclampsia include high blood pressure that does not break down with traces of protein in the urine (3). The health condition can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the child's growth, if timely medical intervention is not required
PIH risks for you and your baby :.
PIH can prevent the choke off the blood supply to the placenta. It is the placenta that carries oxygen and food from mother to child (4). When the placenta does not receive blood, the fetus is too pretty hungry and gets less oxygen and food. It can lead to low birth weight and other development problems for your unborn child.
The majority of women who suffer from gestational hypertension requiring medical care to give birth to healthy babies. A few mothers also develop a condition called eclampsia or preeclampsia, which is high BP accompanied by seizures (5). The condition can be serious for both mother and child.
The positive side is that PIH is diagnosed early enough in the majority of women who go for regular checkups and with proper care, both the mother and the baby can stay healthy throughout the term of the pregnancy.
symptoms PIH:
It it is important to understand the symptoms of PIH and not ignore them. Some of the many symptoms that women suffering from PIH report include:
- strong recurring headaches
- excessive sweating on the palms and soles
- vomiting blood
- decreased urination
- blood in the urine
- Vertigo
- sound ringing in the ears
- excessive nausea or vomiting
- rapid heartbeat
- Drowsiness
- unusual pain in the abdominal region or belly.
- Fever
- double or blurred vision
has high blood pressure means you have PIH?
If you have a high BP, does not necessarily mean that you have PIH contract. If your gynecologist detects that your BP is too high, it will check your blood pressure and recommend tests to indicate the presence of PIH.
Apart high pressure, the majority of women who have PIH also experience excessive swelling and protein in the urine show (6). However, every woman who suffers from high BP, while waiting may not have PIH.
Causes swelling say I have PIH?
Although we have said that the swelling may indicate PIH. However, it needs to be accompanied by other symptoms. Swelling is one of the symptoms of pregnancy, and your doctor may not be overly concerned about the swelling unless it refuses to recede. Your wedding ring or even boots can seem too tight, but this is quite normal!
swelling is seen and considered more serious if it does not go away, even after ample rest. A swelling in the face and the hands that is obvious or rapid weight gain of more than 6 pounds a week may be more than just a normal swelling and should be checked by a doctor.
Who is at risk for PIH?
PIH is generally hereditary, so if your mom or grandmom suffered from PIH, chances are you will too (7). And 'common for women who are pregnant for the first time.
The risk of PIH is higher in women carrying twins or triplets, or very young (teenage mothers) and older women (over 35 mothers).
Other women who are at risk of PIH during their term are those who have had abnormally high blood pressure or kidney underlying disease before becoming pregnant (8)
Diagnosis PIH:
there is no evidence that PIH diagnostics. If you are expecting, the doctor must check your blood pressure levels as part of your monthly check up. An abnormal increase in blood pressure can be indicative of PIH. If BP is found to be high in two or three subsequent medical examination, the doctor order a urine test. This test can tell if there are traces of protein in the urine, which will help her rule PIH. If you have any symptoms of PIH, the doctor every day for a couple of weeks to close monitoring and observation.
During routine prenatal care and tests, your doctor will monitor and catalog your BP, weight gain, and protein in the urine for future reference. If you continue to feel abnormally fatigued or suffer from other symptoms of PIH, the doctor prescribe additional controls.
If PIH is diagnosed or even suspected, the doctor will order a non-stress test to monitor your growing child (9). Doctors typically use an ultrasound transducer to record the baby's heart rate. This test also uses a toco transducer that helps to view and record the uterine activity.
When the child is active, the fetal heart rate tends to increase. Thus, these tests help map and figure out if your child is growing.
PIH does not affect my child?
While most women ignore symptoms of high BP and PIH, as typical discomforts of pregnancy, it is important that you be careful during pregnancy. PIH, if left untreated, can cause damage to both the mother and the child.
Hypertension, increased BP, and PIH can prevent the placenta, which takes the food and nutrients to the baby, to get enough blood. When the placenta does not get a good blood supply, the baby will get less oxygen and food (10). In this way hinder the growth and development of the child. In some cases, it can result in low birth weight. Women are able to provide a healthy and happy baby if PIH is diagnosed and treated in time.
If untreated, PIH can lead to other complications such as preeclampsia that can have repercussions on stronger health for you and your baby.
Treating PIH:
High blood pressure is never left to self-heal in expectant mothers. The treatment doctors typically follow depends on what causes high BP.
1. Chronic hypertension:
If you have been suffering from high BP before conceiving, chances are you are already on medication (11). In these cases, your doctor will review the medicines you are taking and will advise you further.
If the doctor thinks that the drug you are consuming as unsafe for your child, it can change your medicine to something less strong and safe for your child.
Your gynecologist will closely observe the baby's growth. You will have to undergo more ultrasound exams to monitor the baby's growth. The doctor to look for other signs that may indicate you can develop PIH.
2. gestational hypertension:
In most cases, gestational hypertension does not need medical intervention. However, in some cases it may be difficult to understand if your condition stems from PIH early or mild.
And so, your gynecologist will pay close attention and monitor your child's growth and blood pressure levels to ensure your high BP, it turns into PIG.
In some cases, you may be asked to consume a small dose of aspirin or some extra kick to hold off PIH (12). You can also benefit greatly from lying on the left side when you are resting or napping as this improves blood circulation and takes the pressure off the blood vessels.
3. PIH:
E 'PIH who need medical care. But exactly how your gynecologist is this condition it depends on many factors. One important factor is how close is the expiration date and how well the child is facing and growing.
When PIH gets serious, the only treatment is to deliver the baby. It 'goes without saying that if your baby is born too early, the chances of it having health problems is high (13). But, if you are too sick or your child is under stress, the delivery may be the best option. postal delivery, you and your child will be monitored, and the best medical care will be made.
If your obstetrician thinks it's safe for you to continue the pregnancy to term, it will check you and your baby very closely right up to the expiry date. You will have to see the doctor more often and get routine blood tests and urine tests done
The specific treatment for PIH will be determined by your gynecologist based on :.
- your medical history and overall health
- the seriousness or extent of disease
- Tolerance of certain medications or therapies
- the goal of the prescribed treatment is mainly to ensure that your condition does not get worse and cause other complications for you and your baby. In most cases, a combination of the following treatment is prescribed to patients with gestational hypertension:
- complete bed rest may be recommended
- In some cases, hospitalization may be recommended in order to monitor rise in BP
- antihypertensive drugs such as magnesium sulfate (14).
- routine fetal monitoring if you are diagnosed with PIH to monitor:
- fetal kicks and movement counting :. A sudden change in the number of kicks can indicate your growing child is under stress
- nonstress test: This measures the baby's heart rate compared to its movements (15)
- biophysical profile :. This is a test that is a combination of a non-stress test with ultrasound to observe the growth, development and the movement of the fetus (16)
- laboratory tests :. Urine tests and blood will be carried out on a more regular basis to monitor any abnormal. changes
- Doppler flow studies -. an ultrasound test that uses sound waves to measure blood flow and circulation (17)
- oral medications such as corticosteroids can be given to help the growth of the lungs in the fetus
- delivery of the baby. in some cases, if the child is under stress, your doctor may suggest immediate action. This can be done even if the doctor detects health of high-risk mother. A C section is performed to deliver the baby
Prevention PIH :.
There is no drug or sure shot way to prevent high BP or gestational hypertension during pregnancy. However, some of the factors that contribute to high blood pressure can be easily monitored and controlled.
Early detection of high BP and identification of women who are at high risk for pregnancy-induced hypertension PIH can keep at bay. It 'important to talk to your doctor about diet and exercise and take seriously his advice. Some simple ways to keep PIH and BP high at bay include :.
- Reduce salt intake
- Drink at least 10 glasses of clean water each day.
- Reduce junk food and increase the intake of protein.
- Get ample rest.
- devote 30 minutes of low-impact exercises.
- Use a pillow or a wedge to elevate both feet, as and when possible.
- Resist the urge to consume alcohol.
- Reduce your stress levels.
- eat healthy and maintain a healthy and stable increase in weight.
- Limit the consumption of caffeine and totally avoid tobacco.
- Monitor your blood pressure levels regularly.
Will you need to undergo a Caesarean section If you have PIH?
will be recommended a Caesarean section only if your health or your baby's health is in danger. In most cases where PIH can be controlled, a cesarean section is not recommended. Your gynecologist simply use oxytocin to induce labor, so you can deliver your baby through a vaginal delivery
PIH after pregnancy :.
After the baby is born, your blood pressure will continue to be closely monitored and staff gynecologist and support will watch for any symptoms of preeclampsia. Most likely, your BP fall in permissible levels and secure within a few weeks after delivery.
In some rare cases, however, the BP remains high. If you feel uncomfortable and your blood pressure is still high enough to three months after the baby is born, you will be diagnosed with chronic hypertension. This means that perhaps suffered from chronic BP, even before pregnancy, but did not know it, you've done!
Pregnancy and hormonal changes in general make your dive BP wag at the end of the 3rd quarter and remains low for most of the second quarter. This can hide the chronic hypertension. But, at the end of the second quarter, your BP back to normal and you can start experiencing the symptoms of high blood pressure
- chronic hypertension :. The blood pressure will continue to stay long after the birth and will need to continue medication. Follow a good diet and exercise to keep your BP in sheets
- gestational hypertension :. Your will set BP back to normal within a few weeks after giving birth. But, it is likely to develop chronic BP some time later in life. Watch your diet and exercise regularly
- PIH: .. If suffered from PIH, your blood pressure will be normal within a few weeks after the baby was born
Hypertenstion complications during pregnancy:
apart PIH, hyperension can lead to many complications during pregnancy. Some of the most common include:
1.Chronic Hypertension:
If you have been suffering from high blood pressure, even before you conceive, you are likely to know how stressed, you may feel at times. Imagine the stress that may be transmitted to the unborn child. Having high BP can lead to growth of related problems. You can cut off the blood supply to the baby and make it grow too slowly, that will lead to health complications. Many women who have had chronic hypertension and left untreated reported having developed PIH.
2. gestational hypertension:
The condition generally does not pose health problems for both you and your child. In some cases, gestational hypertension progresses PIH
3.PIH :.
PIH can cause a lot of discomfort. It is likely to suffer from recurrent headaches, abdominal pain, visual disturbances, and spells of dizziness. PIH may cause other complications such as:
DevelopmentalDelays:
PIH can also delay the development in children, and even cause premature birth. Low birth weight is still another chance in women with gestational hypertension
placental abruption.
PIH can lead to detachment of the placenta or tear, when the placenta pulls suddenly from the wall of the uterus. This will cause severe fetal distress, and in some cases, bleeding in the mother
Seizures :.
In some cases of PIH, the mother begins to suffer from seizures that can be a threat to life.
Liver Disorders:
many people who suffer from gestational hypertension also tend to report liver problems
Kidney Failure:
There have not been many cases kidney failures reported in mothers who suffer from gestational hypertension
premature baby:
If PIH turns serious, and the doctor is able to keep your BP below normal levels and if your child is showing discomfort, AC section will have to be made well before the expiration date. This means that your premature baby will need a lot of medical care and attention. These children are kept in incubators until they can not breathe and support yourself.
If you suffer from high blood pressure or gestational hypertension and get convulsions, seek immediate medical help. PIH with crisis is a serious health condition that is known as called eclampsia, and may increase the risk of death in some cases. Doctors prescribe magnesium sulfate for expectant mothers during labor, in order to prevent eclampsia
Preeclampsia :.
In the rare cases where you can develop preeclampsia, more attention and caution should be taken throughout the pregnancy. sudden weight gain, vomiting accompanied with the stomach and abdominal pain and swelling are few symptoms of preeclampsia. The doctor will give you oral medication to bring the condition under control. A few simple home remedies in collaboration with the drug will help you immensely
Home Remedies for Preeclampsia :.
- lemon juice: Extract the juice of one lemon and add it to a cup of water. Heat the water for about 10 minutes, strain and drink. You can drink this concoction up to 3 times a day, without worrying.
- As an alternative, you can also add few drops of lemon for tea, which will help to bring under control preeclampsia.
- Celery: Celery and dry powder. Add a few teaspoons of this fine powder in a bowl of water and boil. Let the water, steep and then drink up. Drink this tea at least 3 times a day
- Alternatively, you can simply mix the powder with water and drink
- garlic ..: grind 3 cloves of garlic and add it to a cup of water. Boil, steep and tension. Drink this mixture after each meal
- Beet :. This red veggie is said to be effective in the treatment of preeclampsia course. Simply fruit juice and drink beet or eat in salads.
PIH can be treated without any serious harm to both mother and child. It 'important that you remain vigilant for signs that seem out of the ordinary and consult a doctor immediately. Remember a stitch in time saves nine.
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