Blood pressure in pregnant women in the early stages. High blood pressure in the early stages

High blood pressure during pregnancy is a widespread phenomenon caused by sudden hormonal changes occurring in a woman’s body. However, excessively elevated blood pressure (BP) in an expectant mother can be an alarming symptom, indicating the development of hypertension, which poses a potential threat to the embryo. It is important for a pregnant woman to know the causes and signs of arterial hypertension in order to promptly seek professional help!

Increased blood pressure in the early stages

High blood pressure during early pregnancy is considered the most dangerous. This is due to a disruption in the processes of blood flow, blood circulation and microcirculation, as a result of which the baby does not receive the proper amount of nutrients and oxygen necessary for its full development.

In the absence of timely, competent treatment for high blood pressure, pregnancy is at risk. Increased blood pressure in the early stages (1st -2nd trimester) can lead to spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, and congenital malformations in a newborn baby.

The following factors can provoke an increase in blood pressure:

Diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar);
Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
Excess body weight;
Pathologies of the thyroid gland;
Inflammatory processes localized in the area of the biliary tract and renal apparatus;
Hereditary predisposition;
Previously suffered traumatic brain injuries.

High blood pressure in a pregnant woman can be dangerous for the development of the baby

High blood pressure in pregnant women can also be caused by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids. Women who used hormonal oral contraceptives shortly before conceiving a child are at increased risk.

It is important to regularly monitor your blood pressure level and if it exceeds 140 to 90 mm Hg. Art., urgently seek advice from a qualified specialist!

Reasons for changes

Everything can be attributed to changes in weather conditions and atmospheric pressure. But this is far from true. An increase in pressure occurs for a number of characteristic reasons:

stressful situations;
overweight;
diabetes;
a large amount of amniotic fluid;
physical exercise;
Times of Day;
disturbance in diet or rest;
drinking coffee or other tonic drinks;
taking medications.

If a woman was diagnosed with other diseases before pregnancy, this may also affect the change in blood pressure. Chronic pyelonephritis, hepatitis, thyroid diseases, and previous brain or spinal injuries can change blood pressure. You can normalize the condition at home. But you should not take medications without consulting your doctor. If this happens often, he will suggest going to the hospital to remain under observation.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous during pregnancy?

High blood pressure during pregnancy slows down the processes of normal intrauterine development of the fetus. Hypertension in expectant mothers can cause the following extremely unfavorable consequences:

Placental abruption, causing miscarriage;
Pathologies of the renal apparatus that occur in both the expectant mother and her baby;
Fetal hypoxia, which is fraught with developmental delays, especially in the early stages (1-6 weeks of pregnancy, during the formation of the internal organs and systems of the baby;
Termination of pregnancy as a result of a disruption of the relationship between the embryo and the placenta caused by vascular spasms;
Violation of the condition and functioning of vital organs and systems (both in the pregnant patient and her baby);
Congenital diseases and malformations in the newborn.

A sharp increase in blood pressure directly during the birth process often leads to strokes, loss of visual function, and retinal detachment.

High blood pressure during pregnancy is a pathologically dangerous condition that poses a threat not only to the health, but also to the life of both the patient and her unborn baby!

High blood pressure during pregnancy is dangerous for the development of congenital pathologies

Symptoms requiring mandatory medical attention

Even a suspicion of health problems should be grounds for a visit to a cardiologist. Moreover, you should visit a specialist if you have the following manifestations:

Headache. In the occipital region, of a squeezing nature, without signs of relief after taking medications. It can masquerade as a migraine up to a certain point.
Vertigo. Up to the inability to stand as a result of severe disorientation in space. The world literally goes around in circles.
Nausea. The result of irritation of special areas of the brain.
Vomit. Explained by the same reasons. Toxicosis may have an additional effect.
Problems with vision and hearing. A transient disturbance of the sensory organs develops up to complete loss (temporary). Indicates ischemia of areas of the brain. In the absence of help, a permanent neurological defect may develop.
Tactile disturbances. Paresthesia, when goosebumps run across the limbs.
Paralysis, paresis. Changes in the controllability of muscle structures. Usually the half of the body opposite the affected area is affected.

Other signs are possible. Sensitivity problems, severe headaches, fainting, speech dysfunction are grounds for urgently calling a team.

Why does blood pressure increase in pregnant women?

While carrying a baby, a woman's body undergoes serious hormonal changes, accompanied by psycho-emotional instability and decreased resistance to stress. Unpleasant situations, nervous shocks, and experiences can provoke the development of hypertension and increased blood pressure.

Doctors identify the following most common causes of pressure during pregnancy:

The presence of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet (and this factor can manifest itself even if the woman led an unhealthy lifestyle shortly before conception);
Lifting weights;
Excessive physical activity (walking long distances, intense sports training, performing heavy physical work);
Use of medicines with tonic properties (tinctures of lemongrass, ginseng, eleutherococcus, ginseng);
Negative emotions;
Stressful situations, experiences, conflicts;
Drinking strong tea, coffee drinks, chocolate, which increase blood pressure;
Overwork (mental, physical, emotional), lack of sleep.

In order to avoid the adverse consequences associated with high blood pressure, a pregnant woman needs to monitor her health, lead a healthy lifestyle, get proper rest, and avoid unpleasant experiences and stressful situations.

Bad habits are one of the factors in the development of hypertension during pregnancy

Symptoms of the development of hypertension

High blood pressure in pregnant women can manifest itself in different ways. The danger of hypertension lies in the fact that in the early stages of the pathological process it is often practically asymptomatic, and expectant mothers often attribute minor discomfort to toxicosis and hormonal changes.

Medical experts identify symptoms of blood pressure during pregnancy that you should pay close attention to:

Headache;
Attacks of dizziness;
Excessive sweating;
General weakness, deterioration of health, chronic fatigue syndrome;
Visual impairment, spots and spots flashing before the eyes;
Increased heart rate (tachycardia);
Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia);
Redness and swelling of the skin of the face;
Psycho-emotional instability, causeless feelings of anxiety, fear, irritability.

If a therapeutic course is not started at this stage, hypertension in a pregnant woman will begin to progress, manifesting itself with more pronounced characteristic clinical signs:

Painful sensations localized in the chest area;
Migraine attacks;
Impaired and difficult respiratory function;
Feverish state;
Nausea and vomiting;
Feeling of ringing in the ears;
Sleep disorders (insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day);
Increased nervousness;
Frequent urge to urinate;
Tremor of the upper and lower extremities;
Stably elevated blood pressure levels.

If you have such symptoms and high blood pressure, you must urgently contact a qualified specialist who will conduct a diagnosis, determine the stage of hypertension and prescribe the most effective, safe treatment for the pregnant woman!

The first symptoms of hypertension during pregnancy may be headaches.

If below normal

A decrease in blood pressure is observed in women in the first trimester of pregnancy. This rarely happens in the later stages. This does not apply to hypotensive patients, but to women with normal blood pressure levels. It may decrease due to the level and activity of estrogen. Often women mistake the first signs for more common toxicosis. The position indicates hypotension or low blood pressure. You feel a loss of strength, drowsiness, and unreasonable irritability.

Important! During pregnancy, if your blood pressure readings change, do not take a bath. .

It is better to take a tonometer and check the condition yourself. If the indicators are below the accepted norm, try to correct the situation yourself. First of all, you need to get enough sleep and eliminate irritating factors.

Make sure the room is not too stuffy. Often, a lack of oxygen provokes surges, but more often it lowers blood pressure. When the pressure drops, the woman feels a rapid pulse, darkening of the eyes, nausea and headache.

Drink a cup of warm, weak tea. It is better to drink green tea without sugar. You can taste it with a small piece of dark chocolate or a spoonful of honey.
Rest, preferably get some sleep. Sleep and good nutrition in the absence of stress normalize the condition in any trimester. A pregnant woman should sleep at least nine hours. If possible, it is necessary to rest during the daytime.
Slow walks in the fresh air will quickly normalize blood pressure.
Doctors recommend doing contrasting foot baths. Alternately move your feet from warm to cold water. Cold water should be at room temperature.
Review your diet. Eliminate salty, spicy foods. Diversify the menu with protein foods.
Decoctions of eleutherococcus, ginseng, Chinese lemongrass, Leuzea, and aralia will help solve the problem. It is enough to brew a spoonful of herb in a glass of boiling water. Infuse and drink warm.

What is the danger of hypertension

Hypertension and persistently high blood pressure threatens with the following dangerous consequences:

Heart attack;
Stroke;
Angina;
Heart failure;
Paralysis;
Disability;
Loss of vision.

Increased blood pressure during pregnancy caused by arterial hypertension can cause complications such as uterine bleeding and preeclampsia. This pathological condition is characterized by symptoms such as severe swelling, excessive weight gain, fainting, and convulsions.

Hypertension in a pregnant woman can cause the death of both the woman herself and her child (during pregnancy, the birth process, or after birth). For this reason, it is important to monitor pressure readings and receive timely treatment in order to avoid progression of the disease and associated complications.

Measurement methods

To measure blood pressure during pregnancy, you should use a special device - a tonometer. Today there are several types of such devices:

Mechanical blood pressure monitors - air is manually pumped in and out of the cuff using a bulb. This device is considered highly accurate, but requires special skills to use.
Automatic blood pressure monitors - air is pumped automatically, pressure and pulse indicators appear on the monitor. These devices are very popular because they are easy to use. However, the accuracy of the device is slightly reduced.
Semi-automatic blood pressure monitors - air is pumped manually, after which the parameters appear on the screen. Such devices are also considered less accurate compared to manual ones.
Wrist tonometers are compact in size and easy to use. Such devices can easily be used outside the home. However, the accuracy of such a tonometer is significantly reduced. This is due to the increased sensitivity of the sensor to any fluctuations in air pressure.

To get accurate results, you need to follow a number of recommendations when measuring the indicator:

Before starting the procedure, you should rest for at least 5 minutes;
half an hour before the measurement begins, you need to stop smoking and consuming caffeine;
the procedure is carried out on an empty stomach - 1.5 hours should pass after eating;
measurements should be carried out in a sitting position - in this case, you must lean on your back and avoid moving your hand;
It is recommended to empty your bladder before starting the procedure;
the measurement is carried out on a bare hand - it is important that this area is not compressed;
the cuff should be placed at the level of the heart - its lower part should be located 2-3 cm higher than the cubital fossa;
During the measurement, you should refrain from talking.

To assess pressure using a manual tonometer, you need to perform the following steps:

put on the cuff and place your hand comfortably;
place the stethoscope membrane under the lower part of the cuff or in the central area of the elbow;
insert a stethoscope into your ears;
pump air with a rubber bulb - this is done up to 200-220 mm Hg. Art.;
carefully bleed the air - the speed should not exceed 4 mm;
the first beat allows you to estimate systolic pressure;
after the cessation of beats, the diastolic indicator is assessed.

It is much easier to determine blood pressure and pulse in a pregnant woman using an electronic tonometer. To do this, just do the following:

put on the cuff and position your hand comfortably;
turn on the device and wait for the number 0 to appear;
press the button;
evaluate the results obtained.

What to do for high blood pressure in a pregnant woman

First of all, if your blood pressure has risen during pregnancy, you should not panic or be nervous, since stress will only aggravate the condition. Experts recommend regularly monitoring blood pressure readings. In the absence of persistently high blood pressure, you should try to relax, have a good rest and try to avoid stress factors.

If your blood pressure level constantly exceeds normal limits, you should seek advice from a qualified specialist. Treatment is complicated by the fact that most antihypertensive drugs are contraindicated for expectant mothers.

Anti-pressure tablets during pregnancy should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor, strictly following the dosage recommended by the doctor and the duration of the therapeutic course. In most cases, expectant mothers are prescribed the following medications:

Nebivolol;
Dopegit;
Normodipine;
Atenolol;
Verapamil;
Labetalol;
Nifedipine.

Antihypertensive drugs for pregnant women

Doctors prescribe blood pressure medications to pregnant women in individual dosages, taking into account all the features of a particular clinical case. It is also important to take into account the fact that some drugs can be taken in the early stages, while others - not earlier than the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, using any medications for high blood pressure without permission while expecting a baby is strictly prohibited!

Alternative medicine methods have a good effect. For example, hibiscus tea, herbal decoctions and infusions will help to quickly and safely reduce blood pressure during pregnancy.

Lifestyle correction is of great importance. Pregnant women suffering from high blood pressure are advised to regularly do exercises, give the body moderate physical activity, eat right, and take walks in the fresh air.

How to prevent the development of pathology

Preventing the development of hypertension is much easier than lowering a pregnant woman’s blood pressure. Nutrition plays an important role. The diet should be optimally balanced and varied.

The expectant mother also needs to get proper rest. Sleep should take at least 8 hours throughout the day. A short rest in the afternoon will also be useful.

Gymnastics for pregnant women, swimming, walks in the fresh air and positive emotions will have a good preventive effect. Meditation, relaxation techniques, auto-training, and breathing exercises will help stabilize your psycho-emotional state.

Yoga gives a pregnant woman's body moderate physical activity and helps fight stress.

Dietary recommendations

To stabilize blood pressure during pregnancy, special attention should be paid to the menu, listening to the following recommendations from experts:

Avoid salt and salty foods, which cause swelling and increased blood pressure;
Adhere to the principles of fractional nutrition, eating small portions 4-5 times throughout the day;
Eliminate sugar, sweets, simple carbohydrates, fast food, fatty, fried foods from the daily menu;
Reduce the content of animal fats in the diet to a minimum.

The basis of the diet should be vegetables, fish and seafood, fruits, herbs, foods with a high content of magnesium and potassium. Such food will have a slight diuretic effect, strengthen blood vessels, and help normalize high blood pressure. If the patient is overweight, it is necessary to stabilize body weight, since obesity is one of the main causes of hypertension.

High blood pressure during pregnancy is dangerous for the expectant mother and her baby. It is important to establish the causes of pathological symptoms and eliminate provoking factors. Treatment of arterial hypertension in pregnant women should be carried out under strict medical supervision! A healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition will help avoid problems with high blood pressure and related complications while expecting a baby!