When a pregnant woman develops elevated blood pressure during pregnancy , it is known as pregnancy -induced hypertension or gestational hypertension .
Hypertension is a very common medical disorder seen in pregnant women . According to the World Health Organisation and the Federal Ministry of Health , Nigeria , gestational hypertension affects up to 10 % of all pregnancies and is directly responsible for up to 29 % of all maternal deaths in Nigeria today .
A blood pressure reading of 140 / 90 millimetres of mercury measured at least on two occasions 6 hours apart is considered as hypertension in pregnancy . Hypertension can manifest during pregnancy in these ways :
• Chronic hypertension : This is hypertension previously established prior to pregnancy .
• Gestational hypertension : This develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy .
Hypertension in pregnancy can worsen and affect the kidneys , brain and liver which leads to the passage of proteins in the urine, amongst other symptoms. This is known as preeclampsia . It can be life -threatening for both the mother and the unborn baby.
Further deterioration may lead to the occurrence of seizures in a woman with preeclampsia known as eclampsia.

What causes hypertension in pregnancy ?
A singular cause for hypertension in pregnancy hasn ’t been identified but a number of risk factors have been identified. However , the presence of these factors does not mean that one will develop hypertension in pregnancy . The risk factors are as follows:
• Having had hypertension or any of its complications in previous pregnancies.
• Being pregnant with twins, triplets , quadruplets etc.
• Being obese .
• Women whose sisters and mothers had hypertension in pregnancy .
• Being pregnant at a young age ( 20 or less) or at an old age ( 40 or older ) .
• Diabetic women or women with diabetes in pregnancy .
• Women who drink alcohol .
• Women who smoke.
• Being pregnant after a long interval ( greater than 10 years ) .
• Women who had high blood pressure or kidney disease prior to pregnancy .
• Black women .
• Poverty.

What symptoms may be seen ?
Hypertension is a “ silent” disease and symptoms may not be apparent. It also depends on how far along you are in pregnancy and how high your blood pressure gets . The more severe your hypertension and the earlier in pregnancy it appears, the greater your risk for problems.
However , all pregnant women should receive an antenatal education so that they are aware of the symptoms associated with preeclampsia . Such symptoms include:
• Severe headaches .
• Visual problems : blurred vision or flashing before the eyes .
• Severe pain in the upper abdomen .
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet.

What complications can arise?
A myriad of complications may occur depending on the severity of hypertension and level of control. Here are a few common complications seen :
• Heart failure in mother .
• Small -sized baby.
• Death of the foetus .
• Kidney failure in mother .
• Preterm delivery of the foetus .
• Bleeding disorders in mother .
• Liver failure in mother .
• Stroke in mother .
• Blindness in mother .

How is gestational hypertension managed ?
Treatment is specified to monitor ( by frequent blood pressure measurements) and control blood pressure ( by taking antihypertensives ) minimise complications and ensure a healthy mother and child until and after delivery. Your doctor may prescribe a few tests to monitor your health and that of your baby.

https://www.nigerialog.com/health/much-ado-about-hypertension-during-pregnancy/new/#new

ok