Why Hypertension Matters

A growing fetus gets everything from mom--all the nutrients and oxygen necessary to grow normally. Since the mother's blood supplies the oxygen, it's important that the right amount of blood and nutrients travel to the fetus through the placenta and the umbilical cord.

High blood pressure can affect the amount of blood and nutrients the fetus receives. Sometimes the growth and development of the fetus can be slowed.

How common is hypertension in pregnancy? High blood pressure complicates almost 10 percent of all pregnancies. This includes women who were hypertensive before pregnancy and those who develop preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a syndrome of high blood pressure, leg swelling, spillage of protein in the urine and increased risk of convulsions in the mother that develops late in pregnancy.

The most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby is to get early prenatal care In some cases, it is a good idea to start getting this care as much as six months to a year before pregnancy occurs. If you have hypertension and are thinking about becoming pregnant, you may wish to receive your care from a doctor who specializes in treating hypertension during pregnancy. Check www.nasshp.org for a list of physicians who are associated with teaching hospitals.

If you live in a rural area or far from a physician who specializes in hypertension and pregnancy, you may ask your doctor to consult with one of these specialists to prepare you for pregnancy.

There are several different types of high blood pressure associated with pregnancy.