Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension) is the most common problem to be encountered during your pregnancy. In fact 2 or 3% pregnant women have Pregnancy induced hypertension.

Mary Morris of Billings had Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension) during her 3rd pregnancy. She found out on her second prenatal checkup.

As she found out, first pregnancy, being a member of a black race, and time since your last pregnancy of less than 2 years or more than 10 years increase the likelyhood of Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension).

Other things that increase the risk of Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension) are chronic hypertension, thrombophilia, diabetes with microvascular disease and obesity.

Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension) might not cause any symptoms. But, it can cause visual disturbances like scintillations (flashes of light) and scotomata (blind spots) – probably from spasm of cerebral arteries, rapidly increasing swelling of the legs and rapid weight gain. Upper abdominal pain might suddenly occur and is usually constant and fairly severe. Headaches are often in the front, throbbing and similar to migrane headaches.

The problem with Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension) is that it can cause thromboembolism (blood clots), placental abruption where the placenta detaches from the uterus, kidney failure, swelling of the liver which can cause liver failure, seizures, two dangerous problems with blood clots called disseminated intravascular coagulation and consumptive coagulopathy, hemorrhage (bleeding) and even death of the mother. In fact, from 1991 to 1999 over 15% of the deaths of women during pregnancy were caused by Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension).

There are three types of Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension): Chronic Hypertension, Preeclampsia and Transient hypertension.

Chronic Hypertension

Usually chronic hypertension has no other cause. However, it can be caused by kidney disease like polycystic kidneys, glomerular or interstitial disease, too much parathyroid hormone, coarctation of the aorta or even using oral contraceptives.

Preeclampsia

Nobody knows for sure what causes preeclampsia. One thing that we know is that it is caused by a problem with the inside lining of the blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to spasm. When the arteries get smaller, the blood pressure increases. The damage also causes the blood vessels to leak causing swelling. It can cause problems with the brain, lungs and kidneys. These changes also can cause lower blood flow to the growing baby.

Transient hypertension

The elevated blood pressure called transient hypertension just happens late in pregnancy. Then after delivery, the blood pressure goes back to normal. But, it probably increases your chances of getting high blood pressure later in life.

Pre-Eclampsia (Pregnancy induced hypertension) is one of the major reasons that you should keep your regular appointments with your family doctor.

More information on Preeclampsia at Hypertensive yours now.

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