I Have High BP, What Complications Will I Face At The Time Of Delivery?

Pregnancy is supposed to be the most celebrated phase in a woman's life. The anticipation to see her baby and her love for the child will make those 9 months of her life the most memorable journey.

That being the bright side, there are a few things during a pregnancy that cause a lot of anxiety and fear in the mother and also her family.

Pregnancy always comes with certain risks, and it is important for the mother to take care of her health during this period, thereby keeping herself and her baby safe from health complications.

In many cases, a woman has certain health conditions and disorders even before conceiving. Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, etc, you name it.

When she already has a disorder, she might be more prone to complications that occur during delivery.

Many women worry that suffering from high blood pressure (chronic hypertension) before pregnancy could lead to problems during the time of delivery.

Is this true? If so, what are those complications? Let's have look at it here.

Hypertension

Hypertension is a condition, in which the pressure of the blood flow in the arteries is very high and the heart over-exerts itself to pump blood to all parts of the body.

This condition makes a person experience symptoms like fatigue, breathing problems, headaches and, in extreme cases, stroke and cardiac arrests.

So, when a woman suffering from chronic hypertension becomes pregnant, the risk factors increase. She has to take extra care of herself and keep a constant check on the symptoms.

High Blood Pressure And Its Risks

High blood pressure can lead to a decreased blood flow to the placenta, thereby causing the foetus to receive lesser amount of nutrients and oxygen, which may lead to premature birth or certain defects in the baby.

Hypertension can also cause the placenta to separate from the walls of the uterus, which could lead to excessive bleeding and even abortion. High BP is also known to cause premature births in a lot of cases.

In addition, during the time of delivery, a mother is at the risk of having heart-related complications if she already suffers from hypertension, as the body has to apply a lot of pressure to push out the baby.

In extreme cases, where the mother has chronic hypertension, the doctors might suggest a C-section, instead of a normal delivery, to minimise the complications.

Treatment

It is very important to let your doctor know about your high blood pressure condition, before delivery. The doctors might prescribe drugs that can regulate the blood pressure. Ensure that you visit your doctor regularly and avoid skipping medications.

You could also make certain healthy lifestyle changes that'll help you cope with hypertension. A nutritious diet and regular, mild exercise, even when you are pregnant, can help minimise the risk factors.