High blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, referred to as gestational hypertension, can be a mild problem that poses little risk to either mother or baby, or it can be a more serious condition that requires treatment to ensure that neither mother nor baby suffer any potentially dangerous side effects.
Read More: Gestational Hypertension: Introduction
Evaluating High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Because gestational hypertension can sometimes be a serious problem, a thorough medical examination and evaluation is always needed. Though this evaluation involves several steps, it is a non-invasive and straightforward process. Usually, no complicated tests are required and the evaluation can be completed in a short period of time.
In Depth: Evaluating Gestational Hypertension
Available Treatment Options
Not all cases of gestational hypertension need to be treated. In fact, unless there are signs that indicate a potentially dangerous situation, it is likely that treatment will not be needed and that the high blood pressure will go away after the baby is born. In some cases, though, treatment will be needed. In these cases, it is important to understand the available options which may include rest, medicine or careful monitoring.
High Blood Pressure Medicines to Avoid During Pregnancy
Not all high blood pressure medications are safe to use during pregnancy, which can complicate the treatment of gestational hypertension. While there are safe and effective medicines available, there are also medicines that should be avoided because they may pose a risk to the baby's normal development. You should be familiar with these medicines to avoid danger in the event of a prescription mistake.
In Depth: Medicines to Avoid During Pregnancy
Serious Forms of Gestational Hypertension
Some cases of gestational hypertension can be extremely dangerous. Preeclampsia and eclampsia are two conditions that might develop in women who have gestational hypertension. Both of these conditions are serious and require medical care. You should be familiar with the symptoms, diagnosis methods, and treatment of these two conditions.
In Depth: Preeclampsia
In Depth: Eclampsia
