Pregnant woman has high blood pressure, what to do? High blood pressure during pregnancy. What to do if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy? How to reduce blood pressure during pregnancy? Folk remedies for high blood pressure during pregnancy

When a woman registers for pregnancy, she undertakes to visit her gynecologist at certain intervals. Not every visit is accompanied by an examination on the chair, but every time the pregnant woman will have her blood pressure measured. And this is not at all reinsurance or a formality: the changes that happen to a woman carrying a child do not always follow the canons of physiological pregnancy.

Sometimes the gestational period is complicated, and not as rarely as we would like, with gestosis. And gestosis is not just high blood pressure during pregnancy, it is certain health risks for the mother and child.

What is the norm?

This happens very often - until you became pregnant, you had little idea what a tonometer was and how to use it. Yes, maybe the therapist measured your blood pressure a couple of times during the medical examination, but since everything was normal, you forgot about this experience. But during pregnancy, the doctor will take measurements at each of your visits, clearly monitoring this indicator. And then the young woman will find out what her blood pressure is, what is normal for her, and why sometimes her health is far from ideal.

Probably everyone knows as spelling rules that the ideal blood pressure is 120/80. But this, as some doctors say, is the pressure of astronauts. And if your indicators differ by several units from the generally accepted norm, it is, to put it mildly, too early to draw conclusions about your ill health. Low blood pressure at 100/70? But if you are 20 or so and weigh around 50 kg, then such readings on the tonometer are quite normal. If you have truly low blood pressure, it is difficult not to notice it: weakness, dizziness, craving for sleep, fatigue, and nausea appear. And if at such a moment you measure blood pressure, it turns out that it has fallen below normal. By the way, hypotension in the first weeks of gestation is not a rare phenomenon. But don’t rush to consider your 110/70 or even 100/65 hypotension. Weight, height, age, well-being, and an objective picture of health are taken into account.

As for high blood pressure, this value is also a little arbitrary. But only a little. For some women, 130/80 is a bit high pressure, and they feel it; they feel bad with such values. For others, this is normal operating pressure, and if it drops to 110/70, they experience all the hypotensive symptoms. That's why it's important to measure your blood pressure when it's not bothering you: it's good if you know what your blood pressure is normally.

Therefore, do not draw any conclusions regarding the norm: yes, there are guidelines, standards, but let the doctor leading your pregnancy evaluate them. Remember: if you are young and thin, weigh a little, but are quite healthy, 100/70 is not a verdict of hypotension, but your normal working pressure. In this case, blood pressure increased to 120/80 may not be the normal limit, but a slight increase in the indicator with severe symptoms.

If the pressure is low

Blood pressure in pregnant women is partly an indicator of how the gestational period is going. It can be argued that the hormonal changes that occur in the first weeks of pregnancy contribute to a drop in pressure in the arteries. This is why the expectant mother complains of unusual weakness, apathy, gets tired quickly, and may be plagued by ringing in the ears and even shortness of breath when walking. Such negative feelings often intensify in the morning.

And if a young woman also has early toxicosis, she rarely manages without a hypotonic state. But we cannot assume that this condition is normal and that we just need to endure it. The fact is that with persistently reduced blood pressure, the placental blood flow is disrupted, in that very special organ that is born along with pregnancy. A baby suffering from disturbances in this blood flow does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. One might say that he is starving and suffocating. That’s why doctors also monitor a pregnant woman’s blood pressure and prevent threatening conditions.

You are within the normal range if your blood pressure during pregnancy does not fall below 100/60 and does not rise above 140/90.

If blood pressure increases during pregnancy

Typically, the tendency to increase blood pressure is recorded in the second part of the gestational period. And this can also be explained from a physiological point of view. Just imagine: another circle of blood circulation is formed in the female body, and therefore the amount of blood circulating in all circles increases by 0.5 liters only by the 20th week of pregnancy, and by 32-35 weeks - by a liter. It is logical that the cardiac load increases, our main pump, which works tirelessly, gets tired.

• The pulse that you measure while at rest will reach 80-90 beats (but the average norm is 70 beats). But there is no need to worry, this is the norm.
• It will also be normal for your blood pressure to increase by 5-10 units. Compare with your usual blood pressure, and not with the norm of 120/80. Because if your blood pressure is 95/70, and in the second half of pregnancy it became 130/85, you definitely need to find out the reason for such a jump.

Why should this big difference concern you? Increased blood pressure during pregnancy is characteristic of late toxicosis, a completely non-physiological state of gestation. In short, the fluid leaves the bloodstream - it goes into the tissues, which causes swelling and blood pressure to drop. And in order to improve the situation, the body turns on all emergency mechanisms, that is, it also turns on arterial stimulation.

Prerequisites for high blood pressure during pregnancy

They really are. When your pregnancy crosses the equator, many of the things you were fine with before are no longer possible. Before this period, even despite toxicosis, expectant mothers manage to satisfy all their appetites in the literal sense of the word. All the talk about how fried chicken, herring under a fur coat and the third donut spoils your figure seems irrelevant. At the moment I want to believe that a pregnant woman really should eat for two, although this, of course, is not the case. Of course, not all pregnant women are like this; there are many sensible expectant mothers, but by no means the overwhelming majority.

But when you are already 20 weeks pregnant, all your connivance will require retribution. To keep the pressure normal, you will have to try. It is during this period that the water-salt balance sharply changes, so table salt should become a modest participant in your meals. And such things are not to be joked about: such restrictions will prevent edema, the same high blood pressure in pregnant women, and finally, gestosis. If you do not do this, you can disrupt the scenario of a successful pregnancy, leading to placental abruption and premature birth. There is no need to be scared, but you should definitely take on all your “wants”.

What should alert the expectant mother:

• If you experience a sudden weight gain;
• If you have swelling;
• If you feel unusual, you become more tired than usual, irritable, there is a buzzing noise in your ears, and the blood rushes to your face.

There is no need to hope that it will “go away on its own.” If you do not take action at this stage, the next step in your pregnancy is hospitalization. As soon as you notice dangerous signs, start a salt-free diet.

Why is it dangerous

Why is high blood pressure so dangerous during pregnancy? The placenta is a vascular organ; if the pressure as a whole increases, the load on the placenta vessels also increases. This threatens her with a heart attack, as well as detachment, which is a threatening condition. Not just a danger of premature birth, but also a mortal threat. What is typical is that you often cannot be prepared for placental abruption: it has practically no warning signs and can occur suddenly.

Therefore, the medical community takes edema and high blood pressure in pregnant women as these harbingers. It is worth understanding that doctors do not “nitpick”, but try in every possible way to minimize risks.

How to reduce blood pressure:

• Antihypertensive medications are undesirable during gestation, and where it is possible to do without them, doctors actually do without them;
• A salt-free diet is the first purpose, avoid salty foods without hesitation;
• Preparations containing magnesium can be considered drugs that lower blood pressure, and among them there are drugs that are not prohibited during pregnancy.

If the patient’s blood pressure has risen at least once, doctors will strictly monitor this parameter. But there are those mothers who are initially at risk.

Special control group

If you have already experienced a miscarriage, or your previous pregnancy had complications, you will be placed under special registration. The same requirements apply to pregnant women with excess weight, chronic illnesses, neurocirculatory dystonia, kidney disease and other pathologies that can complicate pregnancy.

In this state of affairs, the doctor may send the expectant mother for daily blood pressure monitoring. This is what is called hourly blood pressure monitoring using portable equipment. It will detect pressure surges and record them. Such a check should be carried out three times: in the first trimester (in order to identify a hypotensive predisposition), at 24-27 weeks (the time of risk of gestosis) and in the last prenatal weeks.

How to take measurements correctly

To check blood pressure, it is better to use a modern electronic tonometer that measures the pulse in auto mode. The function of storing results is very important for control. With the “Soviet-style” technique, many questions arise: in a word, you are more likely to suffer with them than to measure the pressure quickly and clearly.

At home, doctors advise keeping a standard electrical device that uses the elbow bend. The smaller the artery on which the pressure is determined, the more accurate the result will be. When you buy a device, you need to make sure that it is set up correctly and that it has been tested for accuracy. So, try measuring the pressure on him, and then on a neighbor’s tonometer, or a device at the clinic. If you always take measurements on the same product, there is a chance that its indicators are wrong, and you do not have accurate information about the pressure.

In addition to a tonometer, a pregnant woman will definitely need a floor scale. Watch your weight gain, remember that gaining more than 12-13 kg during pregnancy (all 40 weeks) is dangerous! And remember that every extra pound increases your blood pressure by one.

How exactly to use the tonometer is clearly indicated in the instructions; let’s duplicate the information:

1. Pull the cuff over your shoulder. When you pump it with air, it will squeeze the blood vessels and stop the blood flow. Next, slowly release the cuff. The moment the blood flow in the artery slightly exceeds the pressure in the cuff, the first portion will literally “explode” through the barrier. It will hit the arterial walls below this area, producing a certain noise (called a Korotkoff sound). At the moment, the blood pressure in the cuff shows the upper value.
2. As air leaves the cuff, large portions of blood will begin to pass the barrier. The cuff will stop compressing the artery. The blood will flow again in one stream, Korotkoff sounds will disappear. Then the readings on the device will be equal to the diastolic/lower pressure values.
3. Try to take measurements at the same time. It is optimal to do this after sleep, in the morning, and also in the evening hours. But you should not measure blood pressure after meals or physical activity.
4. The tonometer cannot lie on the sofa or on your lap during measurement. Sit on the chair to the right of the table. Place the cuff on your shoulder and secure it so tightly that only one finger can fit between the cuff and the skin.

It happens that when you feel completely normal, you see an increase in readings on the tonometer screen. Stop panicking! It is unlikely hypertension during pregnancy, as many anxious patients might think. Perhaps you are measuring blood pressure at the wrong time, and it makes sense to recheck it.

The tonometer is working, you are healthy, but the result is increased: why?

This really could happen. For example, this often happens due to the so-called white coat syndrome. As soon as you enter the doctor’s office, you begin to worry, worry, blush and turn pale: your heart begins to beat faster, and your blood pressure rises.

Also, high values ​​on a working device can be due to:

• Drinking a cup of coffee or strong tea, as well as eating a chocolate bar, or even a short stay in a smoky room;
• Taking herbal neurostimulants - ginseng, lemongrass, eleutherococcus;
• The worries and worries that many women experience, even just sitting in line to see a doctor;
• Fast pace, haste, any intense action.

But it happens that the tonometer shows erroneously low values. This happens if, for example, you did not inflate the cuff enough or rushed to release the air from it. This happens if the pressure was measured while lying down.

Manipulations for high blood pressure

There are not very complicated actions that help lower blood pressure without the use of drug therapy. For example, there is such a technique: press with the thumb of your right hand in the area that is located deep in the occipital fossa (where the spinal rod is “attached” to the head). Count to 10 and stop pressing. Repeat the procedure twice.

Or the following can be used:

• Conventionally divide the posterior cervical area into three identical segments, horizontally. Find three paired points on either side of the spinal column. At one time, act on each pair with your thumbs - three times, slowly, counting to 10.
• Find a point on the midline of your abdomen, under your chest. Press on this point with your index, middle and ring fingers at once, and count to 10. Repeat several times.
• If you are very nervous, activate the anti-stress point in the center of the inner chin. Stimulate this point with your finger 9 times (clockwise, then counterclockwise).

Of course, if you are not confident in performing these techniques, then do not attempt them. But you can ask your doctor how to perform them - this is not the most useless skill, not only during pregnancy.

Diagnosis of gestosis

According to various sources, from 10 to 25% of all pregnant women are susceptible to this complication. Preeclampsia is the impossibility of high-quality functional provision by the mother’s body of all the needs of the child. This condition occurs only in pregnant women; it is continuously associated with it. When today gestosis is considered late toxicosis, this is not an entirely correct synonymization. Like dropsy of pregnancy, this is not exactly gestosis, but rather its mildest stage.

There are several theories for the development of this disease:

• Endocrine factor - sex hormones and their “companions” begin to be produced according to the wrong pattern, which is why gestosis occurs;
• Immune theory - the maternal body perceives the fetus as a foreign object;
• Genetic theory - causes in gene breakdown;
• Cortico-visceral theory, according to which communication between brain structures and organs is disrupted.

None of the theories can be called convincing, therefore, understanding the true mechanism of triggering gestosis is still far away. But the process of changes that this pathology triggers in the body is well known to doctors.

Under the influence of immune and toxic substances in tissues, the walls of blood vessels are damaged. As a result, blood plasma, as well as a certain percentage of small proteins, enter the tissues and edema is formed. The same thing happens in the kidneys. Plasma with protein inclusions leaves the renal vessels and penetrates into the urine. This is how proteinuria begins, a condition characterized by the appearance of protein in the urine.

The blood in the vessels decreases quantitatively, and the body, using a reflex principle, tries to restore its balance. This causes blood vessels to spasm, blood pressure on the vascular walls increases, and blood pressure rises. Vascular spasm leads to oxygen deficiency in all organs and tissues. The woman's liver, brain, and kidneys will suffer excessively from hypoxia. But the placenta also suffers greatly. Accordingly, the fetus is also at risk: the baby also experiences hypoxia and intrauterine growth retardation.

Symptoms and stages of gestosis

Signs of gestosis vary in severity. It also happens that the patient feels absolutely healthy, but only tests say otherwise.

Gestosis is determined by stages:

• Dropsy, which is expressed only by swelling;
• Nephropathy – edema is associated with protein in urine and increased blood pressure;
• Preeclampsia is a condition requiring hospitalization and immediate treatment;
• Eclampsia is a deadly condition.

If the doctor records an increase in pressure, and tests show protein in the urine, we are talking about progressive nephropathy. The kidneys cannot cope with the increased load, diuresis is noted. If left untreated, this stage will develop into preeclampsia, a generalized disorder of the blood supply to the central nervous system.

Symptoms of preeclampsia include: spots or blurred vision, diarrhea, vomiting, tension in the occipital area, instability of sleep, memory problems, headaches, pain in the epigastrium. The pressure at this moment literally jumps - rises to 150/120 and higher. The percentage of protein in urine also increases, and blood clotting markers decrease.

Eclampsia: intensive care condition

During pregnancy, high blood pressure, proteinuria and refusal of proper therapy with a similar clinical picture are fraught with the development of eclampsia. This is the most dangerous stage of late gestosis. It is distinguished by convulsions, which can be caused by bright light, a sharp sound, or any irritant. First, the eyelids and facial muscles twitch. After which the seizure quickly progresses - the patient loses consciousness and convulses.

But even more terrible is the non-convulsive form of the pathology, in which the patient falls into a coma due to serious dysfunctions of the body.

Eclampsia is dangerous:

• Stroke;
• Retinal detachment;
• Placental abruption;
• The death of a baby;
• Hemorrhage in the kidneys or liver;
• Edema of the brain and lungs;
• Coma.

Of course, medical supervision, as far as possible, eliminates all risks of developing such a condition. That’s why pregnant women often take tests and undergo examinations. This allows doctors not to miss alarming moments in the patient’s condition.

How to treat gestosis

If you start therapy in a timely manner, the prognosis for a happy ending is very high. Patients diagnosed with nephropathy and preeclampsia must be hospitalized. The goal of therapeutic measures is to normalize the water-salt balance, stabilize metabolic processes and the state of the cardiovascular system and central nervous system.

The therapeutic regimen may include:

• Bed/semi-bed rest;
• Protection from stress;
• Physiotherapy;
• Fortified food;
• Drug treatment if other actions are insufficient to stabilize the condition.

If treatment does not improve, and the dangerous condition progresses, doctors, as a rule, decide to deliver the patient early.

Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs especially during pregnancy. And you can only be cured by childbirth, no matter how strange it may sound. But even in this case, it is impossible to say that after childbirth everything will immediately return to normal. Therefore, doctors carefully weigh all the risks and all the possibilities.

How to avoid gestosis and high blood pressure in pregnant women

Many expectant mothers are afraid of increased blood pressure during late pregnancy. In part, this is due to the flow of information that the Internet environment opens up for pregnant women. And these are not always verified sources, and often these are forums where expressions are not chosen. And pregnant women, as you know, are very impressionable. But fear in this case is not a productive feeling. In order not to be afraid of high blood pressure, in order not to worry about possible gestosis, you need to prevent them.

10 simple points to prevent high blood pressure in pregnant women:

1. There is no need to drink a lot if you are already more than twenty weeks pregnant. Increasing the load on the kidneys is undesirable.
2. Reduce your salt intake from the first weeks of pregnancy. If you are craving something salty, this may be a nice confirmation of your new condition, but it is certainly not a reason to satisfy your unhealthy cravings.
3. Get enough sleep. And this should not be done in advance: as you know, you won’t get enough sleep in advance. But healthy sleep is considered an excellent way to maintain the body in its normal, active state without failures, illnesses and other misfortunes. You need to sleep at least 8 hours. Go to bed and get up at the same time.
4. Take a walk in the fresh air. Saturate your body's tissues with oxygen. Do this actively, not forcefully. Choose the most suitable places for this: squares, parks, countryside spaces. It’s a good idea to take a walk with your husband before going to bed, remembering to ventilate the room while you walk.
5. Organize yourself moderate physical activity. For some, fitness for pregnant women is suitable, while for others, home exercises and warm-ups are enough. The main thing is not to lie on the sofa throughout your pregnancy, hiding behind the attitude “you need to rest more.” Remember that rest is a change of activity.
6. Eat tasty, healthy and varied foods. There is a lot of information out there about what constitutes a balanced, nutritious meal. Therefore, complaining about the impossibility of such nutrition means looking for excuses. Delicacies are not needed: you just need to limit sweets, eliminate fried and fatty foods, salty foods and preserves as much as possible. Eat dietary protein, plenty of vegetables (raw, baked, grilled), and low-fat dairy products. Don't forget about grains, legumes, nuts and fruits.
7. Avoid stress. Do not get involved in conflict situations that could well be avoided without your participation. Don't take on additional responsibilities. Know how to take a break. Learn to “breathe” through stress.
8. Do not read folk recipes on how to lower blood pressure during pregnancy if your doctor has already given you completely understandable recommendations. Some folk methods are dangerous for expectant mothers, especially those where various herbs are the main ingredients. It happens that such herbal medicine causes strong uterine contractions, and this is fraught with miscarriage and premature birth.
9. Don't miss medical appointments. This is not necessary for doctors, first of all, but for you. By regularly visiting the doctor, you will be sure that the pregnancy is progressing normally, nothing threatens you, and there is nothing to worry about. Particularly self-confident pregnant women risk adding to the statistics of sad cases, and this is a stubborn fact.
10. If you are 35 or older, plan your pregnancy in every sense of the word. In these older patients, pregnancy management is a little different. To ensure everything goes well, more research is carried out. During pregnancy, the blood pressure in such expectant mothers actually fluctuates more often, and the condition has to be monitored more and more deeply.

But at the same time, we do not say that pregnancy is a disease. This is a wonderful physiological state; it is not initially a period of risks, dangers and fears. This is a time of new emotions, internal discoveries that come to every mother to one degree or another. Nature has made sure that this period goes well: the pregnant woman’s sense of smell even improves, which serves as a kind of insurance against poisoning. But many external, social, genetic, and unpredictable factors make the expectant mother especially vulnerable. Take care of yourself, trust your doctors and listen to your body, and then pregnancy will not just be months of waiting for happiness, but a period of joy, peace and inner harmony.

Pregnancy is a time of hormonal storms. Have you heard these words? Indeed, doctors tell the expectant mother at the first appointments that significant hormonal changes occur in the female body during pregnancy.

But not all women think about how things stand specifically, what is happening in the body, which now performs a special mission. And if you delve a little into this topic, many things that happen during pregnancy will become clear, obvious, and logical - from toxicosis to increased blood pressure.

What is the motherhood hormone, and why is progesterone a bully?

During the months of gestation, the hormones of the pituitary gland, an important endocrine organ located in the hypothalamic section of the brain, dominate. During childbirth, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin into the blood, which stimulates uterine contractions. After delivery, prolactin “gets to work”, which will help a woman who has just given birth become a nursing mother.

These are all maternal hormones, which can also include estrogen and progesterone. Prolactin and oxytocin are, in a sense, responsible for the emotional attachment of the mother to the baby, for the positive feelings generated from feeding and communication with the baby.

Progesterone is the most important hormone of motherhood. It begins to affect the female body, starting from the second half of the cycle: the secretion of mucus in the fallopian tubes increases, and it becomes a special, nutrient medium for the advancement of the egg into the uterus. Due to progesterone, the endometrium is transformed, the number of vessels that provide nutrition to the blastocyst after implantation of the fertilized egg increases. Progesterone also affects the restructuring of the epithelium of the cervical part of the uterus - it will begin to produce more mucus so that pathogens do not penetrate into the uterus.

But if for some reason the level of this hormone is elevated, not everything in pregnancy will be successful. Firstly, subcutaneous fat deposits will increase, and this is excess weight. Secondly, intestinal motility will be disrupted, and the pregnant woman will suffer from constipation. Inhibition of mental processes in the brain cortex will occur, maternal immunity will weaken, the greasiness of the dermis will increase, and fluid retention will begin in the body. And this means swelling and a possible increase in blood pressure.

To maintain normal blood pressure in pregnant women, you need to monitor hormonal stability. Although it is not only hormones that can be “blamed” for the fact that blood pressure deviates from the norm.

What is normal blood pressure

Already at the first appointment with the doctor, the expectant mother will definitely have her blood pressure measured, and this procedure will be repeated at each visit. It’s great if the patient knows her constant pressure, and measuring this indicator will not be new to her. Normal blood pressure during pregnancy will be standard values ​​– 90-120/60-80 mm Hg. Art. There are several nuances regarding this most important marker of health, but absolutely normal blood pressure in an expectant mother cannot differ significantly from blood pressure data outside pregnancy.

The patient must understand that blood pressure should be monitored not only from appointment to appointment, but also constantly, taking measurements at home. Of course, not all pregnant women follow this prescription, although it is still worth doing. Some see this as reinsurance, while others see it as a reasonable mode of monitoring an indicator, the failure of which can lead to serious pregnancy complications.

How to measure your blood pressure yourself

Blood pressure is measured using a device called a tonometer. You can also take measurements with a mechanical tonometer, although today they are considered obsolete. You can buy an electronic device at any pharmacy: this medical gadget will serve you for a long time, and not only during pregnancy will you need to measure your blood pressure. Read the instructions in detail.

To get accurate data you need:

• Try to take measurements at the same time;
• Do not drink coffee (do this at least an hour before the procedure);
• Do not smoke - although every woman knows about the harmful effects of nicotine on the development of the fetus in the womb, many pregnant women do not give up this habit;
• Before the measurement you need to calm down, don’t worry, you can lie down for a few minutes;
• If your bladder is full, go to the toilet first, and only then take a measurement;
• Do not talk, move or twist during the measurement; your feet should be parallel to each other on the floor (do not cross them);
• After 7 minutes (8-10 is possible), take a new measurement - it should be equivalent to the previous one, a small run-up is acceptable (if it is large, most likely you are doing something wrong);
• Take the measurement while sitting, with your hand resting on the table.

If you take any prescribed medications, remember that some of them affect your blood pressure, so do not take the measurement immediately, but a couple of hours after taking it.

What pressure should a pregnant woman have, see the table above.

If blood pressure is low

In the early stages of gestation (first weeks), blood pressure may be unusually low. Many women are afraid that the constant 110-120/80 has turned into 90/60. But there is no need to panic. Low blood pressure is indeed often characteristic of the first trimester. It also happens that it is precisely this that makes a woman think that she is pregnant.

Symptoms of low blood pressure in the early stages of gestation can be expressed:

• Constant drowsiness;
• Feeling of lack of oxygen;
• The occurrence of shortness of breath when walking;
• Lack of concentration, procrastination;
• Lethargy and increased fatigue;
• Ear noise;
• Presyncope or even short-term fainting;
• Headaches and dizziness.

Not all pregnant women experience hypotonic manifestations in the first weeks of gestation. There are women who are more predisposed to this. So, if you were diagnosed with “vegetative-vascular dystonia” before pregnancy, then low blood pressure in pregnant women is in some sense normal. If you had hypotension before conceiving your baby, it is unlikely to disappear with the onset of pregnancy; rather, on the contrary, it will manifest itself acutely in the first trimester.

Women who are on low-calorie diets, as well as patients under chronic stress, are at risk for hypotension. Hypotension is also fraught with dehydration due to severe toxicosis, infectious diseases (from which pregnancy, of course, does not protect), as well as physical inactivity.

Is hypotension dangerous?

Of course, every expectant mother wants normal blood pressure during pregnancy, but it is impossible to insure yourself against disruptions in this indicator. And if the first trimester is overshadowed by low blood pressure, you should not panic, but strictly control the situation. It's not just a matter of discomfort, which, unfortunately, accompanies a decrease in blood pressure. This is also a certain threat to the preservation of pregnancy and the normal development of the fetus.

During the first weeks, the baby does not yet have his own blood circulation, so the mother’s regular fainting and lack of oxygen also affect the fetus. Unfortunately, in some cases this can lead to delays in the baby’s development. In the second or third trimester, the situation normalizes: the vessels in the placenta are already able to maintain normal blood flow. But at the same time, the pressure may remain reduced longer than the first trimester. But at the equator of pregnancy it, as a rule, begins to increase.

High blood pressure in expectant mothers: the overall picture

On average, a reading of 140/90 or higher will be considered high blood pressure in women during gestation. But since there are individual issues, you need to listen to the doctor and his instructions, and not make diagnoses for yourself. The symptoms of high blood pressure may surprisingly coincide with the signs of hypotension, but still the differences are difficult to miss.

Typically, headaches with increased blood pressure are more pronounced, they have different intensities - this is already a point of individual differences, pain threshold, etc. Also, visual disturbances are characteristic of increased pressure: pregnant women complain of a veil before the eyes, “flying spots”, and a certain blurred image. Tinnitus occurs more frequently and is heard more clearly. Also, increased blood pressure is associated with hyperhidrosis, which a pregnant woman does not always classify as a sign of increased blood pressure, considering excessive sweating to be normal during pregnancy.

Also, with increased pressure, tachycardia and heart rhythm disturbances are observed. If you experience these exact symptoms, you should definitely tell your doctor about them.

Who is prone to increased blood pressure during pregnancy?

And here it is appropriate to talk about certain categories of women who really face this problem to a greater extent. If blood pressure increases slightly, this can be called the absolute norm. Everything is logical - in the body of a woman carrying a child, the blood volume increases, the load on the main pumping organ increases, and all this is considered a natural request of the pregnant woman’s body. Therefore, the pressure quite predictably increases, but literally by a few units, and not by a couple of tens. Without this, it is impossible to imagine the normal functioning of the “mother-placenta-child” system.

Pathological increase in blood pressure threatens mothers who:

• Hypertension was detected before gestation;
• There are neuroendocrine pathologies - this means diabetes mellitus, diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, etc.;
• Heart and kidney diseases that can affect blood pressure;
• Pyelonephritis, which tends to worsen during pregnancy;
• Excess weight;
• Biliary dyskinesia.

Some diseases require special attention to pregnancy planning. In the case of an existing chronic illness, a woman is recommended to correct it as much as possible - to take all necessary measures that will reduce the risks of exacerbation of the disease during pregnancy.

If the doctor sees negative dynamics, if the blood pressure readings seem potentially dangerous to him, he will write the patient a referral to the hospital. There is no need to refuse it - the situation is far from harmless, it makes sense to be under medical supervision for some time.

First trimester and high blood pressure

As already mentioned, the initial third of pregnancy is characterized by a slight decrease in pressure, but there may also be a reverse reaction. If you notice an increase in blood pressure in the first weeks, try to see a doctor as quickly as possible. This situation needs correction, since the increase in blood pressure itself threatens certain complications. For example, one of the consequences of high blood pressure may be damage to the placental bed (at the time when the placenta is formed in the mother’s body).

Other dangerous consequences worth noting:

• Placental insufficiency – threatens to delay the growth and development of the baby;
• Open bleeding;
• Chronic hypoxia;
• Risk of placental abruption.

The threat is very serious, and if no measures are taken, not only the full-term pregnancy is in question, but also its safety until the fetus can be born viable.

Second trimester and increased blood pressure

Normal blood pressure during pregnancy in the second trimester is your usual healthy indicator. If even before gestation your values ​​were 120/80, then in the second trimester (up to about 20 weeks) you should have such blood pressure. And as soon as pregnancy approaches the equator, pressure may begin to rise. But these values ​​still should not cross the threshold of 135-140/90.

If you are already in the second trimester, and your blood pressure is slightly lower than usual, this is also normal. The main thing is that the difference between the usual and new indicators should not be higher than 10, maximum 15 units.

But usually, it is from the sixth month that expectant mothers begin to notice that their blood pressure has begun to increase. This, as a rule, does not cause any discomfort in the woman, but such a change in blood pressure is unlikely to affect the condition of the baby. Pressure increases due to increased blood volume. That’s why the doctor takes measurements every time: he needs to control the situation so as not to miss a truly dangerous moment.

Usually the doctor prescribes to the patient:

• Rest, as well as following a special diet, means avoiding fatty foods (in particular, fatty dairy products, as well as red meat), avoiding sweets, marinades and preservatives, and spicy foods;
• Drink water moderately - 2 liters per day is enough;
• Avoid stressful situations, worries and conflicts.

The doctor may ask how the pregnancy went with your immediate family. The same scenario of gestation and delivery in mother and daughter is a fairly common case. If the mother’s blood pressure was normal during pregnancy, then the risk of increased blood pressure in the daughter is also reduced.

Third trimester and increased blood pressure

At this time, it is most likely that the blood pressure in the vessels will become higher. But at the time of birth, this indicator should approach prenatal values. At 32-38 weeks, a woman’s cardiovascular system experiences the greatest load - the heart rate quickens, blood output increases by 40, or even 50%, and the pulse increases.

Why are both doctors and pregnant women themselves so afraid of high blood pressure values? Associated with them is the concept of “gestosis,” a pathology that can only affect pregnant women. One of the signs of this dangerous condition is an increase in blood pressure. This is a truly insidious disease; it entails changes in the functioning of various organs - the circulatory and cardiovascular systems are especially affected.

Preeclampsia is a threat to a healthy pregnancy:

• Its presence can be indicated by swelling in the legs and hands - they arise due to the smallest vascular openings that appear as a result of the production of special substances by the placenta;
• Plasma protein and liquid enter these small holes, and although the edema itself does not pose a threat to the mother, placental edema will lead to a serious lack of oxygen for the baby.

But even if gestosis is not detected, and the pressure is higher than normal, this can still lead to vascular changes. They will definitely affect the child; there is a high risk of developing fetoplacental insufficiency. With maternal hypertension, the fetus develops hypoxia and the baby’s development slows down. The child may be born with pathologies and may be premature. Neurological disorders cannot be ruled out due to the same high blood pressure in the mother during pregnancy.

Preeclampsia: blood pressure is rising, the threat is great

Blood pressure control, as you understand, is extremely important. If the pressure is high, then due to vascular spasm the functioning of the patient’s main internal organs is disrupted - the kidneys, liver, brain, lungs and even the retina of the eye are affected. The child does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, and this is a direct threat to delay his development. The amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus may decrease. Blood flow in the umbilical artery may slow down. In severe cases, unfortunately, emergency delivery cannot be avoided.

Many pregnant women complain: they forced them to give urine again, and they also tell them to measure their blood pressure every day and write down the result on a piece of paper. But this is not unnecessary trouble! Frequent urine tests and regular blood pressure measurements are aimed specifically at preventing preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia without protein in urine

Sometimes the diagnosis of “preeclampsia” is made even if there is no protein in the urine, but in this case the doctor notices another symptom.

In this list:

• Decreased platelet levels;
• Increased creatinine;
• Increase in AST and ALT at least twofold;
• Development of pulmonary edema;
• Cerebral or visual symptoms - from severe headaches to blurred vision, the appearance of “floaters” before the eyes.

The diagnosis of “preeclampsia” can only be made when your blood pressure was normal before pregnancy, and only after the 20th week did complications begin in the form of increased blood pressure and other symptoms associated with the pathology.

Doctors cannot yet give a definite answer as to why this disease occurs in principle. Most scientists agree that this is a vascular anomaly (we are talking about the vessels that are located between the uterus and the placenta). And this anomaly is just the beginning of a chain of negative consequences.

Preeclampsia has its own risk factors; it has been proven that the pathology is more often diagnosed during the first pregnancy. Women with diabetes, obesity, under the age of 20 or over 35 are prone to it. There are greater risks in patients with multiple pregnancies, as well as in those who encountered such a pathology during the first gestation. Heredity can also be a reason.

Diagnosis of preeclampsia and possible complications

Normal blood pressure in a pregnant woman in the third trimester most likely indicates that a threat such as preclampsia has passed you by. But in order to convincingly say that there are no pathologies, early diagnosis is needed - modern pregnancy management provides for this point. Diagnosis includes frequent urine tests, which allow timely detection of protein in urine, as well as regular blood pressure measurements.

These studies seem like a routine to many pregnant women: they argue about the uselessness of these studies - in the West so often expectant mothers are not bothered. But it is not always worthwhile to unconditionally accept Western trends, especially in matters of maintaining a healthy pregnancy. The fact is that preeclampsia, and its possible development - eclampsia, are one of the key causes of maternal and infant mortality. And this applies not so much and only to third world countries, but to the most developed countries.

Why is preeclampsia dangerous?

• The development of eclampsia itself. This is a serious condition with seizures, pulmonary edema, possible cerebral hemorrhage and even coma.
• Placental abruption, which does not allow prolongation of pregnancy and is a direct threat to the life of the mother and fetus.
• Heavy bleeding.
• Development of stroke and thromboembolism.
• Delayed development of the baby.
• Low water.
• Premature birth, which jeopardizes the normal development of the child, and often life.

That is why diagnosis, screening and, of course, early prevention of preeclampsia are so important.

How to Avoid Preeclampsia

There are women who are at greater risk than others of seeing high values ​​on the tonometer during pregnancy, and along with them other signs of pathology.

You may be in this risk category if you match at least one of the following:

• Multiple pregnancy;
• Chronic kidney disease;
• Diabetes mellitus (any type);
• Hypertension;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• Previous pregnancy with preeclampsia.

What should women do with such aggravating circumstances? Firstly, don’t worry, but be glad that you saw the risk in time and this will give you the opportunity to seek help from doctors as early as possible. Secondly, you may have to register with a special person, and doctors will pay a little more attention to your pregnancy.

Today, the following tactics for preventing the disease in relation to the above-mentioned women are common: taking low doses of aspirin, starting from the second trimester of pregnancy. Aspirin is the only medication with proven effectiveness against this gestational illness. But you are not the one who takes Aspirin without permission, but the doctor who prescribes it for you if he sees the need.

Is preeclampsia treatable?

The only effective treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia is childbirth. Since the disease is triggered by the pregnancy itself, when it ends, the disease will also end. This is the rub, because dangerous pathology occurs most often in the second trimester, or the beginning of the third, when it is too early to think about childbirth.

How to urgently deliver a patient, and how to do this is the responsibility of doctors. There are no general guidelines; all cases are individual. In any case, doctors will prolong the pregnancy as long as this is possible in principle. The duration of pregnancy, the condition of the mother, the condition of the fetus, and prognosis are assessed. At a consultation of doctors, it is decided when to give birth to the patient and how. If the pregnancy is full-term (that is, the gestational age has reached 37 weeks), you can give birth.

If the period is not yet approaching 37 weeks, preeclampsia is mild or moderate, if there are no signs of damage to target organs (and these include headaches, visual disturbances, pain in the heart, in the peritoneum, there is shortness of breath and changes in laboratory tests), Doctors will resort to wait-and-see tactics. A woman in this condition does not need to take antihypertensive drugs.

How to monitor the condition of a patient with preeclampsia:

• Constant pressure control;
• Monitoring the occurrence of negative symptoms;
• Monitoring blood tests - they look at both the platelet count and kidney tests;
• A daily count of the baby's movements in the womb is carried out;
• Ultrasound control twice a week (with Doppler and biophysical profile of the fetus).

Patients with preeclampsia and a gestational age of less than 34 weeks are advised to administer corticosteroids according to a special regimen (2 doses are administered every other day). This is a means of preventing pulmonary diseases in a child. After 34 weeks, steroids are not administered to the mother (dangerous for the baby’s actively dividing brain cells and may lead to future behavioral and cognitive disorders)!

With severe eclampsia, doctors can no longer pay attention to the gestational age, and the woman has to give birth according to vital indications.

How else to avoid increased blood pressure during gestation

Absolutely all women are recommended to bring their weight in order even at the stage of planning pregnancy. This is good in every sense - not only will you be able to push gestosis further down the list of potential risks, but also other possible pathologies.

• Vitamin D at a dosage of 600 IU per day if you do not get enough sun exposure;
• Taking tests for hormones - there is a whole list of them, if you are planning a pregnancy, then take everything that the doctor says (many pathologies are determined that can be corrected before pregnancy);
• You can also take a test for “hidden sugar”; it is prescribed for those women who have at least once had a blood glucose level higher than normal;
• Genetic tests - such diagnostics are needed for women over 35 years of age, as well as for patients who have a family history of diseases associated with genetic defects.

It is absolutely not effective, which means that such recommendations cannot be called necessary, strict restriction of salt intake (will not stop gestosis), various vegetable and fruit diets (no connection with preeclampsia), fasting days. If you decide to follow such instructions while already pregnant, then know that there is little common sense in them.

Many doctors are inclined to believe that Curantil, Magne B6, Actovegin, Tivortin, Cardonat, as well as vitamins E and C, fish oil do not protect the body from gestosis and preeclampsia. Please note - many doctors, but not all. These drugs are still on the list of standard prescriptions, but more and more experts are talking about the placebo effect associated with these drugs.

Hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus

This is a separate topic, but it would also be wrong not to touch on it in the material on blood pressure during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes mellitus is a pathology that occurs specifically during pregnancy. The basis of the disease is a decrease in glucose tolerance in the body of the expectant mother. The disease is an intermediate stage between normal and diabetes, and it may never develop into a chronic metabolic disease.

Expectant mothers with a history of arterial hypertension (even mild!) are at risk for developing this disease. Women with severe toxicosis and gestosis, heart and vascular diseases, and chronic miscarriage are also at risk for GDM.

The problem is that many pregnant women brush off this diagnosis, arguing it out of nowhere with the argument of self-elimination of the disease. Diabetes mellitus in pregnant women can indeed disappear without a trace after childbirth, but 10% of women remain with pathologies of carbohydrate metabolism, and 50% develop type 2 diabetes within 10-15 years. Therefore, gestational diabetes, which is also in some way associated with hypertension, must be strictly controlled.

Is it possible to get pregnant with hypertension?

We found out what is normal blood pressure during pregnancy. But hypertension is a disease that can also affect fairly young, fertile, active women. Can hypertension prevent this?

The answer is that it all depends on the stage of the disease. In case of severe hypertension, pregnancy, alas, is an absolute contraindication. For a woman with such a diagnosis, not only childbirth, but the process of pregnancy itself is dangerous. Moreover: women with such serious hypertension must carefully monitor contraception, because it is impossible to get pregnant, but having an abortion is more than dangerous.

With moderate hypertension, the chances of a successful pregnancy and childbirth become less bleak. But this is only relevant if hypertension is not aggravated by crises and disorders of target organs. The mild stage of hypertension is not a contraindication for pregnancy. But for the entire period such a mother will be under the supervision of not only a gynecologist, but also a cardiologist. She will most likely have to change her therapy, follow new instructions, and undergo routine examinations more often.

High blood pressure is by no means the province of the elderly; it can manifest itself at a young age, and first appear during pregnancy. But disciplined patients have less risk of negative gestation scenarios precisely because their condition is not in doubt by the doctor - they pass all the required tests on time, regularly measure blood pressure, and seek help in a timely manner. And this is the best contribution to a healthy pregnancy with an excellent result in its finale!

While expecting a child, the female body becomes very vulnerable, long-standing diseases worsen, previously unknown sensations appear, and sometimes not always pleasant ones.

Quite often, one of the symptoms of the development of pathologies during pregnancy is high blood pressure. Therefore, during examinations, obstetricians-gynecologists monitor the pressure of the expectant mother every time.

Normal blood pressure during pregnancy, in which the heart and blood vessels perform their functions without experiencing excessive stress, are considered to be:

• 110-120 mm. rt. Art. for upper (heart) pressure – diastolic;
• 70-80 mm. rt. Art. for the lower (vascular) – systolic.

For chronic hypotensive patients, these limits may be lower: 90/60 mm Hg. Art.

It is important that a woman, when registering for pregnancy at a medical institution, knows the “working” values ​​​​of her pressure.

Indeed, often (as, for example, in hypotensive patients) increased blood pressure is determined based on an increase in values: more than 30 mm. rt. Art. for the upper indicator and 15 mm Hg. Art. for the lower one, it means that blood pressure has risen beyond the permissible level.

Of course, a one-time increase in blood pressure for some reason is not a reason for the diagnosis of hypertension. But if an elevated level is recorded at least twice in a row, then this is already a reason for concern.

Why does blood pressure rise?

Factors contributing to the appearance of high blood pressure during pregnancy differ little from the causes of hypertensive conditions in the “non-pregnant” period:

• (obesity);
• bad habits (alcohol, smoking);
• chronic diseases of internal organs, which are accompanied by high blood pressure;
• hereditary predisposition;
• hypertension as an independent disease (in the absence of endocrine disorders or diseases of internal organs).

Since the period of bearing a child for the female body is a period of increased stress, if there is a known predisposition, problems with blood pressure in the expectant mother are quite expected.

Moreover, if the expectant mother has already suffered from high blood pressure (including during a previous pregnancy), then in the vast majority of cases (about 80%) high blood pressure is inevitable during the next pregnancy.

However, it also happens that a jump in intracranial pressure in a woman was first noted during the current pregnancy. The reason for this may be:

• . Then hypertension is one of the symptoms of the triad of this pathology (along with proteinuria and).
• Gestational hypertension, which is not combined with other symptoms of gestosis. It occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and, as a rule, heals itself after childbirth.

The insidiousness of hypertension is that its initial stages can easily not be recognized.

This is especially true for expectant mothers, for whom high blood pressure is common.

The body has adapted to this state and is in no hurry to react to it. Therefore, at every routine examination by an obstetrician-gynecologist, a woman is monitored using a tonometer.

With mild hypertension, its signs may be mild:

• mild, dizziness;
• rapid pulse;
• increased sweating;
• bright “blush” on the cheeks;
• anxiety.

The severity of these symptoms progresses with a further increase in pressure. Added to them:

• dyspnea;
• areas of redness on the skin throughout the body;
• "tinnitus;
• weakness;
• attacks of nausea, vomiting;
• “flies”, “fog” before the eyes.

Pain in the left sternum, insomnia, and excessive nervousness may appear, which are so easily mistaken for characteristics of a “pregnant” body.

Perhaps this is true, but the doctor must confirm or refute the suspicions.

Dangerous consequences of high blood pressure during pregnancy

Of course, high blood pressure is a pathology and requires immediate correction.

Careful monitoring of blood pressure values ​​by specialists is due to the likelihood of dangerous consequences for mother and child.

1. High blood pressure in pregnant women is a “response” to the narrowing of blood vessels, including in the uterus and placenta. This leads to difficulty in blood circulation in the “uterus-placenta-fetus” system, and, consequently, to. Prolonged hypoxia is the cause of intrauterine growth retardation.
2. , which also develops due to vasospasm, can cause spontaneous abortion.
3. Due to increased blood pressure in the channel between the uterus and placenta, it can occur, which will lead to insufficient nutrition of the fetus, and also, depending on the scale of the abruption, can cause.
4. Long-term hypertension can cause functional failure of a woman’s vital organs, which poses a danger to the health and life of the mother and her unborn baby.
5. Severe hypertension, as a manifestation of gestosis, can lead to the development of complications dangerous for the mother and her unborn child - preeclampsia and eclampsia.
6. A significant jump in pressure, especially during childbirth, can cause retinal detachment (and subsequent blindness) or even a stroke.

Is hospitalization necessary?

Since hypertension is an extremely dangerous phenomenon for a pregnant woman, it is unreasonable to refuse the proposed hospitalization. In addition, it is very likely that with a favorable prognosis, the period spent in the hospital will be short.

If hypertension was included in a woman’s medical history even before pregnancy registration, a referral for hospitalization will be issued at the first appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist.

In the hospital, the degree of hypertension will be determined, the risk of possible complications for the woman’s health will be predicted and treatment methods will be selected.

When hypertension is initially detected during pregnancy, hospitalization is also indicated to search for the causes that caused the increase in pressure.

If an increase in indicators occurred in the second trimester, it is important to exclude the development of gestosis or diagnose it in a timely manner.

If the degree of hypertension is mild, the pressure is stable and does not adversely affect the well-being of the expectant mother, then the next hospitalization as planned will follow at the beginning of the third trimester, since during this period the likelihood of a crisis increases.

At 38-39 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother with high blood pressure moves to the hospital until the birth.

During this time, she will undergo an examination in order to clarify her condition and choose a method of delivery, as well as preparatory procedures.

In case of exacerbation of a hypertensive condition in a woman, going to the hospital is mandatory. This is necessary to determine the factors that caused the worsening of hypertension and prescribe appropriate treatment.

How to reduce blood pressure during pregnancy

Depending on the causes of arterial hypertension, the doctor chooses tactics for further pregnancy management and treatment methods aimed at normalizing blood pressure.

As a rule, a combination of drug and non-drug therapy is used.

Non-drug method

The non-drug method consists of limiting physical and social activity, namely:

• refusal to participate in stressful situations.
• creating a comfortable psychological environment.
• excluding excessive physical effort, therapeutic exercises and swimming at a calm pace are allowed.
• Maintaining a sleep and rest schedule.

In addition, it is important to follow some nutritional principles aimed at:

• adjustment of potassium-sodium metabolism (to prevent fluid retention in the body);
• prevention of further excessive weight gain (if overweight).
• To improve water metabolism in the body it is necessary:
• limit or completely eliminate the use of table salt with food, as a source of sodium, leading to fluid retention in tissues;
• include in your diet foods rich in potassium, which reduces vascular tone, and magnesium, which also has a mild diuretic property.

To prevent excessive weight gain you should:

• limit fat intake to 40 g per day, giving preference to vegetable fats;
• minimize the presence of simple carbohydrates in the diet: sugars, refined foods, treats;
• adjust your food intake towards fractional meals.

Traditional methods

Among the non-drug ways to combat high blood pressure, folk methods have also found their place:

• Grind and mix an equal amount of rose hips, hawthorn, red viburnum, linden flowers, calendula, blueberry and heather shoots and motherwort herbs. Separate 2 tbsp. l. , pour 2 cups of boiling water over them, simmer for 15 minutes. in a water bath and leave at room temperature. Drink 100 g of the strained mixture with honey after meals 3-4 times a day. The duration of the course is 1.5 months.
• Mix half a glass of cranberry juice with the same amount of honey. Take 1 tsp. 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 14 days.
• Mix an equal amount of crushed valerian root, cudweed herb, heather shoots and viburnum flowers. Pour 2 cups boiling water over 2 tbsp. l. mixture and leave in a thermos for 2 hours. Sweeten the warm, strained infusion with honey and take ¼ cup 4 times a day. The course of treatment is 1-1.5 months.

Before using herbal remedies, you should obtain approval from the doctor monitoring the pregnancy to exclude possible contraindications.

Medication method

With a slight increase in pressure, herbal remedies that have a calming, mild sedative effect, based on motherwort, valerian, lemon balm, mint, etc., will be sufficient.

With persistent hypertension, there is a need to use more serious pharmacological agents.

The most common remedy, due to its availability and safety at the same time as its effectiveness, is methyldopa (“Dopegit”).

The blood pressure medication is approved for use from the earliest stages of pregnancy. Methyldopa does not have a negative effect on placental blood circulation, does not pose a threat to the intrauterine development of the fetus, and does not cause adverse effects for the unborn child in the future.

The effect of the substance occurs within 2-6 hours and manifests itself:

• in a relaxing effect for the central nervous system;
• in suppressing the activity of hormones that cause an increase in blood pressure;
• in suppressing the activity of a blood plasma enzyme (renin), which can affect blood pressure levels and sodium metabolism;
• in relieving vascular hypertension;
• in general sedative effect.

For high blood pressure in late pregnancy, when protein is detected in a urine test and taking into account all possible risks to the fetus, β-blockers are prescribed.

Cardioselective β-blockers are often prescribed to pregnant women as a medicine for blood pressure, because they have fewer side effects compared to non-selective ones.

In the fight against high blood pressure, the effect they have directly on cardiac activity is important:

• the frequency and strength of heart contractions decreases;
• the body's sensitivity to stress decreases;
• renin activity decreases;
• conductivity in the AV node decreases to the desired level, normalizing the contractile-conducting activity of the cardiac sections;
• the oxygen demand of the heart muscle is normalized (anti-ischemic effect);
• the risk of cardiac arrhythmias is reduced.

Popular β-blockers prescribed to pregnant women help lower blood pressure during pregnancy: atenolol, metaprotolol, labetalol, nebivolol, bisoprolol.

Currently, bisoprolol is more preferable due to its ease of use (1 tablet per day), reliable round-the-clock action, possibility of use in diabetics and less pronounced “withdrawal syndrome” compared to other drugs.

Calcium antagonists or calcium channel blockers are similar in effectiveness to β-blockers.

But they do not act on the nervous system, but on the channels in the cardiac and vascular muscles through which calcium enters the muscle cells.

The force of muscle contraction depends on the calcium concentration in its cells. Activation of calcium channels occurs under the influence of adrenaline and norepinephrine. Blockade of calcium channels prevents spasm of the heart muscles and blood vessels.

Based on the direction of action of calcium antagonists, they can be divided into groups:

• acting only on smooth vascular muscles (nifedipine, normodipine, amlodipine, etc.) and therefore recommended for use simultaneously with β-blockers;
• acting on the muscles and heart and blood vessels (verapamil) and therefore prohibited for use simultaneously with β-blockers.

Taking calcium antagonists during pregnancy does not exclude a possible detrimental effect on the fetus and is often accompanied by unpleasant side effects.

Therefore, they are prescribed when taking other groups of antihypertensive drugs is impossible.

Measures to prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy

A woman's blood pressure almost inevitably increases during pregnancy due to an increase in circulating blood volume with increasing pregnancy.

Therefore, a slight increase in blood pressure in some pregnant women may be a physiological norm.

If blood pressure readings are elevated already in the early stages of pregnancy, or “jumps” in blood pressure have occurred before, she should adjust her lifestyle and diet to prevent hypertension.

Namely:

• do not limit the duration of sleep and rest;
• avoid excessive physical activity, giving preference to feasible exercise at a calm pace;
• avoid stressful situations;
• control weight gain during pregnancy (no more than 15 kg);
• adjust your diet and menu by making smaller meals and eliminating foods that are undesirable for hypertension;
• Regularly monitor your blood pressure values ​​(daily, at least twice a day) on both the right and left arms.

If this happens, at the next doctor’s appointment or during self-measurement, the mother discovers that the pressure has exceeded the norm, then first of all you should stop panicking, otherwise the readings will rise even higher.

The most reasonable thing in such a situation is not to self-medicate, but to trust qualified specialists, and then the pregnancy and birth of the baby will go well.

The period of pregnancy is the most crucial moment in a woman’s life. The correct development of the fetus depends on the expectant mother. During this period, she can lay the foundation and do everything possible to ensure that the baby is born healthy, strong and with good immunity. The restructuring entails changes in the hormonal background, the body reacts to the new state in the most unexpected way. All systems undergo changes, the circulatory system is not an exception. If any function fails, the woman’s task is to react in time and provide assistance aimed at eliminating the disease. Among the numerous, not always pleasant changes, most often the cardiovascular system gives an alarming signal and the threat of pathological development of the fetus is signaled by high blood pressure during pregnancy.

High blood pressure in the early stages

High blood pressure during early pregnancy is one of the most dangerous pathologies during pregnancy. Blood flows cease to function fully; the required amount of nutrients and oxygen does not flow through the narrowed ducts.

The values ​​on the tonometer give a clear idea of ​​the health of the blood vessels. Whatever changes occur, the indicators should not rise higher than 120 - 90 and cross the lower pressure limit of 80 - 60 mm. rt. Art. If you do not exceed the limits of these figures, the growth and development of the child in the mother’s belly, as well as the functioning of the female body, will proceed naturally.

If the pathology makes itself felt and alarming numbers of 140/90 regularly appear on the scoreboard, this indicates the presence of hypertension.

High blood pressure may be caused by:

1. Chronic course of hypertension:

2. Genetic predisposition.

Acquired as a result of pregnancy. It is not news that the new condition rarely occurs without swelling and stress on the kidneys. This is what causes endless urine tests throughout all trimesters. Starting from the 20th week, there may be surges in blood pressure without protein being released into the urine. It is also not uncommon for a woman to encounter intracranial pressure for the first time during pregnancy.

It is important to know!

Vessels become dirty very quickly, especially in older people. To do this, you don’t need to eat burgers or fries all day long. It is enough to eat one sausage or scrambled egg for some amount of cholesterol to be deposited in the blood vessels. Over time, pollution accumulates...

High blood pressure leads to slow development of the embryo. The saddest outcome of hypertension is fetal rejection and spontaneous miscarriage. Of course, hypertension is a dangerous disease that threatens the life of mother and child. Considering that the problem occurs quite often, doctors have learned to identify and take control of the situation in a timely manner.

Symptoms of high blood pressure vary from person to person. They may change depending on what the tonometer needle shows. A small increase can cause severe discomfort, but sky-high indicators will not cause problems. Everything is individual and cannot always be explained.

Signs of increased upper blood pressure readings:

If nothing is done in time, the disease manifests itself more clearly:

• Labored breathing.
• Red spots spread throughout the body.
• Weakness, nausea, vomiting, high fever.
• The pressure on the eardrums is accompanied by a “ringing” in the ears.
• Vision is distorted, dark flashes in the eyes.
• Chest pain, diastolic murmurs.
• Excitement, nervousness.
• Sleep disturbance.

The first thing you need to do if a problem is detected is to acquire a tonometer; the electronic version does not require special skills.

To have an idea of ​​what value is considered normal during a period of dramatic changes, the results of the scoreboard must be recorded in a diary. If you have any doubts or additional symptoms that cause concern, you should take measurements twice a day at the same time. This will allow you not to miss a sharp jump, and also not to be nervous again due to any suspicions.

If high blood pressure does not have systematic recurrences, then it is worth finding out the reason that influenced the manifestation of the disease. Perhaps it will be enough to just rest, relax, listen to your favorite music, dream and get rid of external stimuli, or find a way not to pay attention to them, since there is nothing more important than bearing a child in calm conditions.

Having determined for sure that the cause cannot be related to pathologies of internal organs, you can correct the indicators using ordinary products with unique properties (beet juice, cranberry juice, pumpkin decoction with honey, vegetable compositions from raw, high-quality seasonal vegetables (carrots, beets, cabbage)).

While carrying a baby, mothers cannot afford to take chemical medications. During this period, it is important to listen to the recommendations of your doctor and take medications only under his close supervision. Don't forget about alternative medicine. You can prevent the appearance of high blood pressure with the help of a pleasant hibiscus drink, provided there are no problems with the digestive system (gastritis, ulcers).

Introducing a pregnant woman to sports will be effective. There are sports groups for expectant mothers, with the opportunity to choose something pleasant and soothing. The best thing that can be offered in such a situation that has a beneficial effect on two organisms is yoga, swimming, walks in the fresh air.

If the high blood pressure that accompanies pregnancy is stable, treatment is transferred to a hospital setting under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist. A competent specialist will be able to prescribe dosage forms that do not pose a risk to the health of patients.

Such drugs include:

1. Dopegit (Methyldopa) - effectively lowers blood pressure for up to 28 weeks.
2. Nifedipine, Verapamil, Normodipine are calcium channel blockers. Prescribed from the second trimester.
3. Atenolol, Labetalol, Nebivolol are β-blockers used in the 2nd trimester.

Medication therapy is carried out only under the supervision of a physician. Self-appointment is prohibited.

Reasons why high blood pressure occurs

High blood pressure during pregnancy is not a rare phenomenon. During this period, hormonal imbalance entails changes in character, mood, and emotional outbursts. Knowing such characteristics of the female body during this difficult period, it is customary to treat expectant mothers with special trepidation and understanding. Completely ordinary life situations can throw you off balance. The pregnant body is very sensitive and reacts with increased blood pressure to:

How to prevent high blood pressure

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW!

In 90-95% of people, high blood pressure develops regardless of lifestyle, being a risk factor for diseases of the brain, kidneys, heart, vision, AS WELL AS HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES! In 2017, scientists discovered a relationship between the mechanisms of increasing blood pressure and blood clotting factor.

Nutrition plays an important role during pregnancy. Each product consumed must be carefully analyzed and provide benefits to the developing, growing embryo. You will have to give up the usual harmful and possibly favorite instant foods, fast foods, intensely fried and fatty foods for a long time. The same type of food is not allowed. The diet should contain fats, proteins, carbohydrates, a rich vitamin complex and minerals. At each stage of the formation of organs and tissues, it is necessary to replenish reserves with nutrients involved in development. Food should be high in calories, easily digestible, and should not create heaviness or discomfort. Preference should be given to vegetables, fruits, and fish.

Sleep should be deep, sound and restful and the duration of rest should not be less than 8 hours. A nap during the day is also a good idea.

Pregnancy is not a disease; it requires a revision of your usual routine, and not a complete abandonment of your favorite things. Walking, sports, swimming, and gymnastics for pregnant women will only be beneficial and will prevent the manifestation of dangerous symptoms.

In the event of pathological changes during a completely natural condition for a woman, you should not refuse treatment in a hospital. Refusal of professional help and untimely intervention are fraught with dire consequences.

Carrying a fetus by a woman is accompanied by a stressful state of the body, which often causes high blood pressure during pregnancy. Immediate examination helps to concentrate on therapy in time, and adherence to daily rules prevents the development of chronic forms of hypertension.

What indicators are considered normal for pregnant women?

Measuring blood pressure in pregnant women is a mandatory periodic (once a day/week) procedure. Normal blood pressure for a healthy adult is 120/80. Due to the load from the fetus, this figure is higher in pregnant women. In medical practice, pressure is considered natural in the range from 90/60 to 140/90. The specific meaning depends on the characteristics of the organism.

IMPORTANT. The “working” norm during pregnancy is considered to be 100/60 and 110/70.

If the upper pressure (systolic) is high and the lower pressure (diastolic) is low, this indicates the presence of serious problems in the body.

What is hypertension and hypertension?

Hypertension (arterial hypertension) is a symptom of vasoconstriction, accompanied by an increase in pressure, upper and lower, over 140 and 90, respectively. There are 3 degrees of this disease, which can occur latently and without pronounced symptoms.

During pregnancy, hypertension is detected by the following signs:

• with frequent blood pressure measurements (2-3 times a day with an interval of at least 4 hours), when the pressure remains stably at 140/90 and above;
• headaches (temporo-parietal zone);
• buzzing and tinnitus;
• visual impairment (“stars” in the eyes);
• weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue;
• palpitations, chest discomfort;
• feelings of anxiety and fear;
• numbness of the limbs.

Hypertension is a disease that also involves high blood pressure (during pregnancy), but in the presence of any pathology. Most often, an unclear etymology or cause of high blood pressure is diagnosed. The main difference between hypertension and hypertension is considered to be the stability of its course, in contrast to the manifestation of frequent pressure surges or when a high pulse is palpable at normal pressure.

Risk factors for arterial hypertension

Many factors contribute to the development of the disease. The main causes of pressure surges during pregnancy are:

Hormones

They are the most common cause of high blood pressure during pregnancy. The female body actively produces hormones in each trimester of fetal development. Laboratory tests examine the concentration of hormones produced in the adrenal glands, pituitary gland and thyroid gland. The concentration of active substances and their breakdown products is determined by collecting blood and urine.

Heredity

High blood pressure sometimes becomes a hereditary factor and is passed on from one of the parents. At a doctor's appointment, the expectant mother is advised on this matter, identifying all possible causes of the symptom. The danger of this form of hypertension lies in the long-term nature of disruptions in the functioning of blood vessels in the absence or insufficiency of treatment.

Diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system

The main mechanism of these diseases (transferred, untreated, present) is a failure in urination or blood circulation. The presence of a concomitant illness during pregnancy complicates the removal of harmful compounds, heavy metals and salts from the body. Obesity often develops, metabolism slows down, and the load on the heart muscle increases. Therefore, during pregnancy, diets are followed under the supervision of a doctor.

Age

Young mothers and women aged 30–35 years often experience high blood pressure during pregnancy. The main cause of the symptom is the age-related characteristics of the body. The body is either too young (immature) for the load from the fetus, or is not entirely healthy due to the influence of various factors.

Stress, mental illness, head injuries

Mental illnesses, as well as stressful conditions, are associated with the sympathetic part of the head. Pituitary hormones are responsible for the course of diseases. A deficiency or excess of certain substances causes high blood pressure not only during pregnancy.

External factors

External factors directly include:

• bad habits;
• poor nutrition;
• salty, spicy and smoked foods;
• physical exercise;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• overweight;
• weather;
• ecology.

These factors become the development of various pathologies in the body. During pregnancy, they are treated with special care.

Risks to the fetus and mother

High blood pressure negatively affects the course of pregnancy. The importance of its normalization is dictated by a large list of risks and possible consequences.

In the 1st trimester

1. Impaired blood supply in the pelvic area, placenta, and tissues in the fetus.
2. Fetal hypoxia.
3. Slow fetal development.
4. Miscarriage.
5. Partial placental abruption.
6. The need to terminate the pregnancy.
7. Development of convulsive syndrome (eclampsia).

In the 2nd trimester

1. Development of gestosis (late toxicosis, renal failure, edema, protein in the urine).
2. Placental abruption with bleeding.
3. Abortion.
4. Death of a child.
5. Hypertensive crisis from gestosis.
6. Development of pathologies in a child.

In the 3rd trimester

1. Hypertensive crisis.
2. Perinatal death of a child.
3. Death of mother and child due to blood loss.
4. Retinal detachment.
5. Early birth, prematurity.
6. C-section.

What to do if blood pressure constantly rises?

There are many ways to return high blood pressure to normal, and in most cases they are safe for the development of the fetus (with the right approach).

Proper nutrition

During pregnancy, high blood pressure can be reduced by eating foods rich in magnesium. In some cases, the doctor prescribes a protein diet with no simple carbohydrates.
They cope well with pressure at any time:

• dairy products;
• fatty fish (halibut);
• chicken eggs;
• nuts;
• dried fruits;
• vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers);
• fruits (melons, apples, citruses);
• berries (cranberries);
• bran;
• olive and coconut oil;
• cereals;
• legumes;
• greenery.

Traditional medicine

Various decoctions of inflorescences, berries, seeds, etc. are considered an effective remedy for combating high blood pressure. During pregnancy, people often drink infusions (water) of rose hips, pumpkin decoctions, freshly squeezed viburnum juice and fruit juice.

An infusion of peony flowers, mint leaves, motherwort or valerian root is also often used.
In later stages, follow strict instructions when using such medicine.

Medicines

Reducing high blood pressure with the help of medications is allowed only in consultation with a gynecologist.

Depending on the causes of pressure, various medications are prescribed:

• diuretics, thiazides (diuretics: canephron, phytolysin, clopamide, indapamide);
• vasodilators (hydralazine, methyldopa, dopegit);
• calcium antagonist drugs (verapamil, isradipine, nifedipine, normodipine);
• adrenaline beta blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, labetalol, besiprolol);
• Magnesium B6 tablets, Magnerot;
• vitamin complexes for pregnant women.

IMPORTANT. The most commonly prescribed drugs are papazole (the safest and most effective), dopegyt, methyldop, aldomet (they reduce blood pressure to its normal level).

Which pills to take in the third trimester depends on the emergency of the situation. For mild ailments, it is advised to move less and ventilate the premises often. At week 40, in case of high blood pressure, hospitalization is necessary; tablets are selected strictly individually.

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises at any stage of pregnancy are advisable for many reasons. Correct breathing technique has a relaxing effect, relaxes muscles, and improves blood flow.

It is worth taking into account that gynecologists recommend taking courses on teaching proper breathing during childbirth. The ability to “breathe” will set the mother up for a more painless birth.

• In the first trimester, classes improve the functioning of the digestive organs and circulatory system. This helps restore pressure to normal.
• In the second (trimester) - lung function improves. Due to the increase in fetal volume, the internal organs (especially the lungs and diaphragm) are slightly displaced and compressed. Breathing techniques help restore the previous volumes of air intake.
• In the last trimester, gymnastics prevents the development of fetal hypoxia by normalizing intrauterine pressure.

Yoga

During pregnancy, it is a way to strengthen the back muscles, get rid of swelling of the legs, and improve blood circulation. With a special technique, there are no negative consequences for the child (until birth).

Before enrolling in yoga courses, you should find out whether it is dangerous for the mother's health. High blood pressure (chronic) coupled with obesity, polyhydramnios, increased uterine tone or an excess of hormones are direct contraindications.

The reasons for the ineffective effect of yoga on pregnant women (with high blood pressure) are diseases affecting hormonal levels and the urinary system.

Other options

Effective measures to reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy are a variety of physical activities and activities (trainings). To improve your well-being, it is not necessary to sign up for fitness and gymnastics clubs for pregnant women. It is enough to determine your own set of exercises by consulting with your doctor about which exercises are safe and what is strictly prohibited.

Water aerobics and regular swimming in the pool are suitable for reducing blood pressure.

In modern medical centers, pregnant women are provided with herbal medicine and hirudotherapy services. These sessions reduce blood pressure, just like effective medications. In the first case, plant herbs are used, which reduce blood pressure by 10–15 points. In the second case, leeches are placed (in the vaginal and pelvic areas). Several sessions of hirudotherapy help improve blood circulation and normalize blood pressure.

Fast walking, frequent walks, tourism and positive emotions are considered an easier way to maintain the body's performance during pregnancy. Expectant mothers should take into account that during flights, blood pressure rises significantly. The main signs of high blood pressure at altitude are stuffy ears, anxiety and oxygen deprivation. Before the flight, learn basic techniques for overcoming such symptoms.

Childbirth with chronic hypertension

For women with any form of hypertension (prehypertension), natural childbirth may be contraindicated for various reasons. Most often, a caesarean section is performed. If aortic dissection or abnormal cerebral blood flow is detected, the pregnancy is terminated by abdominal caesarean section.

Emergency conditions

Emergency hospitalization of a pregnant woman at any stage is carried out if the blood pressure exceeds 30 points.

If hypertension is present, pregnancy is often interrupted for health reasons (induced labor).

The following ends with an emergency interruption:

• severe forms of gestosis and its consequences;
• deteriorating condition of the fetus;
• retinal disinsertion;
• stroke or heart attack due to pressure;
• bleeding.

Useful video

You can find out more information about high blood pressure during pregnancy in the video below:

High blood pressure during pregnancy is a serious reason to consult not only with a gynecologist. Neglect of the situation threatens abnormal development of the fetus or hypoxia. To normalize blood pressure, it is recommended to use only safe methods. In case of severe and chronic diseases associated with high blood pressure, a woman is not allowed to give birth on her own. In rare cases, hypertension during pregnancy causes irreversible consequences in the female body, leading to the death of both mother and child.