Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Hypertension in Pregnancy

Pregnancy comparison. 26 weeks and 40 weeks.Image via Wikipedia
Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy) is the most common problem likely to be enountered during your pregnancy. In fact two to three percent pregnant women have Hypertension in pregnancy.

Bertha Reed of Aurora, IL had Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy) during her 3rd pregnancy. firstname found out on her third doctor visit.

As she found out, first pregnancy, a new sexual partner, age younger than 18 years, obesity, and time since your last pregnancy of less than 2 years or more than 10 years increase your chances of Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy).

Other things that increase the likelyhood of Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy) are chronic hypertension, thrombophilia, renal disease and obesity.

Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy) might not cause any symptoms. However, it can cause visual disturbances like scintillations (flashes of light) and scotomata (blind spots) - probably from spasm of cerebral arteries, headache, upper abdominal pain from swelling and inflammation of the liver and rapid weight gain. Upper abdominal pain might suddenly occur and is usually constant and fairly severe. Headaches are often in the front, throbbing and similar to migrane headaches.

The big problem of Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy) is that it can cause thromboembolism (blood clots), two dangerous problems with blood clots called disseminated intravascular coagulation and consumptive coagulopathy, seizures, kidney failure, placental abruption where the placenta detaches from the uterus and even death of the mother. In fact, from 1991 to 1999 over 15% of the deaths of women during pregnancy were caused by Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy).

There are three types of Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy): Chronic Hypertension, Preeclampsia and Transient hypertension.

Chronic Hypertension

Most frequently chronic hypertension has no other cause. But, it can be caused by kidney disease like polycystic kidneys, glomerular or interstitial disease, coarctation of the aorta, too much growth hormone or even using oral contraceptives.

Preeclampsia

Nobody knows for sure what causes preeclampsia. One thing that we know is that it is caused by a problem with the inside lining of the blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to spasm. When the arteries get smaller, the blood pressure increases. The damage also causes the blood vessels to leak causing swelling. It can cause problems with the brain, lungs and kidneys. These changes also can cause lower blood flow to the growing baby.

Transient hypertension

The elevated blood pressure called transient hypertension just happens late in pregnancy. Then after delivery, the blood pressure goes back to normal. But, it probably increases your chances of getting high blood pressure later in life.

Pre-Eclampsia (Hypertension in pregnancy) is one of the major reasons that you should keep your regular appointments with your family doctor.







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