Hypertension – Part 2 – Gestational

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Today we’re going to talk about part two of our discussion about hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. In the last segment, we spoke about pregnant women that have hypertension prior to pregnancy. Now, we’re going to talk about gestational hypertension. Gestational hypertension is hypertension that is caused by pregnancy and is affects women who have had no prior history of hypertension prior to pregnancy.

Who is at risk for developing gestational hypertension? Typically, pregnant women who have had gestational hypertension in a prior pregnancy, had a strong family history of hypertension, are overweight, have diabetes and who are smokers are at a higher risk of developing gestational hypertension during pregnancy. Why is gestational hypertension such a big deal? High blood pressure in pregnancy can lead to more severe diseases and disorders such as preeclampsia which will be discussed in part 3 of hypertension. It’s very important to treat hypertension during pregnancy properly.

If you develop high blood pressure during your pregnancy, it may be treated in a number of different ways. Sometimes, bed rest may be required near the end of your pregnancy because bed rest may help keep the blood pressure under control. Occasionally, medication may be prescribed to control the blood pressure. However, as the pregnancy nears the end, delivery of the baby may be the best way to cure the problem. Of course, each case is different and different factors must be taken into account including the severity of the situation and the length of the pregnancy. Your doctor will probably want to perform special tests on the baby to make sure that the baby is growing properly, is healthy and is not at risk of developing any serious diseases. Remember, always consult your physician as every case is different.