High blood pressure during pregnancy

High blood pressure means the pressure of the blood inside your arteries is at a level higher than normal. When this occurs during pregnancy, it can lead to more serious conditions, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia. These conditions may be mild or severe.

When blood pressure is very high, it can damage the mother’s kidneys, brain, eyes and liver. It can also decrease the flow of blood to the placenta, leaving the baby malnourished and underweight. In very severe cases, high blood pressure during pregnancy can even be fatal to the mother and the baby.

Signs of preeclampsia

If not treated, preeclampsia can be life threatening to you or your baby.

Call your health care provider if you have any of these signs:

• a sudden weight gain of more than 1 pound a day
• swelling (edema) of your face and hands
• small amounts of dark urine
• severe or constant headache
• blurred vision or spots in front of your eyes
• pain in the upper right part of your abdomen, a dull achy indigestion feeling under your ribs or stomach area and/or flu-like symptoms
• a jittery feeling

When high blood pressure is found early, these serious problems may never develop. At each of your clinic visits during your pregnancy, your blood pressure will be tested and compared to what is normal for you.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on whether your symptoms are mild or severe.

• For mild preeclampsia, you would have more clinic visits and more tests to check the health of your baby. These tests would include fetal movement counts and ultrasound. You may also be put on bedrest.
• For severe preeclampsia, you may need to have home nursing services or stay in the hospital. The decision to deliver your baby will depend on the risks to you and the health of your baby. Labor may start on its own, be induced, or your doctor may schedule a Cesarean. Your baby may need to stay in a special care nursery after delivery.

Related Links

Allina Pregnancy Care

Monitoring your blood pressure at home

First published: 10/04/2002
Last updated: 06/19/2003

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts