Hypertension in Pregnancy Guidelines

Pregnancy-induced hypertension may also be referred to as gestational hypertension. This can lead to serious complications and is treated according to its severity. Women with pregnancy-induced hypertension require close monitoring to insure the best outcome.

Onset

• Women who develop pregnancy-induced hypertension usually do so sometime after the twentieth week of pregnancy. Blood pressure numbers greater than 140/90 are considered in the high blood pressure range.

Pregnancy Complications

• Pregnancy-induced hypertension may lead to several pregnancy complications including premature birth, placental abruption and intrauterine growth restriction.

Treatment for Mild Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

• Women with mild cases of pregnancy-induced hypertension may be monitored closely and put on bed rest. If the women has reached the 37th week of pregnancy, labor will probably be induced.

Treatment of Severe Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

• If blood pressure reading are over 160/110, medication will be used to lower blood pressure and hospitalization will usually be required for close monitoring. Women who have reached the 34th week of pregnancy will probably be induced right away. Women who are less than 34 weeks along will usually be given steroid injections to speed the baby's lung development in preparation for a premature delivery.

Warning Signs

• Women with pregnancy-induced hypertension need to be aware of serious warning signs that may indicate placental abruption. These signs include uterine pain and vaginal bleeding. In addition, women need to be aware of serious warning signs of a serious health condition known as pre-eclampsia. Warning signs include swelling, headaches, extreme weight gain, vision problems, nausea and abdominal pain. If any of these symptoms occur, medical treatment is needed immediately.

Pre-eclampsia

• Women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and protein in their urine will be diagnosed with pre-eclamsia which is a serious medical condition requiring aggressive treatment. Often the treatment for sever pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby early. According to Baby Center, approximately 25% of pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension will develop pre-eclampsia.