During pregnancy your blood pressure will be checked at every antenatal appointment. This is because a rise in blood pressure can be the first sign of pre-eclampsia, often called pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) or pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET).
Pregnancy-induced hypertension can run in families and affects around 10% of pregnancies. Your urine will also be checked for protein at every visit, as this is also a sign of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia usually happens towards the end of pregnancy, after around week 28, but problems can occur earlier. It can also happen after the birth. It is likely to be more severe if it starts earlier in pregnancy.
Although most cases of pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension are mild and cause no trouble, the condition can get worse and be serious for both mother and baby. It can cause fits (seizures) in the mother, which is called eclampsia, and affect the baby’s growth. It is life-threatening for mother and baby if left untreated. That is why routine antenatal checks are so important to look for pregnancy-induced hypertension, and protein in your urine.
Many women with high blood pressure can hope for a natural vaginal delivery after 37 weeks. But if you have severe pre-eclampsia it may be necessary to deliver your baby early, possibly by caesarean section.
Symptoms of pre-eclampsia
There are usually no symptoms to warn you that you have pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia, and often the only way it can be detected is during the routine blood pressure and urine checks made by your midwife.
If you do have pre-eclampsia, you will probably feel well. If you get symptoms, these might include:
- bad headaches
- problems with vision, such as blurred vision or lights flashing before the eyes
- pain just below the ribs
- vomiting
- sudden swelling of the face, hands and feet
However, you can have severe pre-eclampsia without any symptoms at all. If you get any of the symptoms listed above, or have any reason to think you have pre-eclampsia, contact your midwife, doctor or the hospital immediately.
Treatment
Treatment may start with rest at home, but some women need admission to hospital and medicines that lower high blood pressure. Occasionally, pre-eclampsia is a reason to deliver the baby early – you may be offered induction of labour or caesarean section.
Managing pregnancy-induced hypertension
It is vital to go to all your antenatal appointments, or to reschedule them if you can't make it to them, as severe pre-eclampsia can affect both your health and your baby’s health. If left untreated, it can put you at risk from a stroke, impaired kidney and liver function, blood clotting problems, fluid on the lungs and seizures. Your baby may also be born prematurely or small or even stillborn.
While the root cause of pre-eclampsia is not known, studies suggest that the risk is higher if you are overweight when you become pregnant, so it’s a good idea to reach a healthy weight before trying for a baby. It is also more common if you have high blood pressure before becoming pregnant, or have had pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy. If this applies to you, attending regular check-ups to have your blood pressure and urine tested is even more important.
Healthtalkonline has videos of women talking about their experiences of pre-eclampsia.
You can also find information and support at the Action on Pre-eclampsia website
You can find out more about:
symptoms of pre-eclampsia
treatment of pre-eclampsia
