Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Pregnancy induced hypertension, or PIH, is a form of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Occurring in about 5-8% of all pregnancies, PIH is also known as toxemia and/or preeclampsia and usually takes place during the second half of your pregnancy term. Unfortunately the exact cause of PIH is unknown at this time, but there are signs and symptoms doctors watch for, including the three main characteristics:

• Edema (swelling)
• Protein in urine
• High blood pressure (readings that are higher than 140/90 mm Hg)

Other characteristics, signs and/or symptoms doctors look for are:

• Sudden weight gain
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Visual changes, such as blurred vision
• Urinating in small amounts
• Right-sided upper abdominal pain
• Pain around the stomach area
• Changes in liver or kidney function

When a woman has high blood pressure, she sees an increase in the resistance of blood vessels. This resistance can hinder blood flow to many different organs in the expectant mother such as the liver, kidneys, brain, uterus and placenta. Other problems are also known to develop if an expectant mother has PIH. These problems include placental abruption, fetal problems such as poor fetal growth and stillbirth. If PIH is not detected or goes untreated, it can be potentially deadly to mother and baby. Keep in mind that each woman is different and may or may not experience all or any of these symptoms.

Cause of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

As mentioned, there is no known cause for this condition. However, there are other conditions that could increase the risk of developing PIH, such as:

• Diabetes
• PIH with previous pregnancies
• Pre-existing high blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Multiple fetuses
• Mothers age
• Chronic hypertension

Who’s at Risk for PIH?

There are a few different things that increase the risk of developing PIH, such as:

• First time mothers
• Women whose mother or sisters had PIH
• Women who had high blood pressure or kidney disease before becoming pregnant
• Women who are carrying multiple babies
• Women who are under the age of 20 or older than the age of 40

It’s extremely important that if you fall into one of these categories, that you talk with your health care provider about the possibility of developing pregnancy induced hypertension. You may see an increase in doctor visits, however it’s definitely worth it.

Diagnosing Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Depending on your blood pressure levels, diagnosing your PIH may or may not include the following tests:

• Blood pressure measurement
• Urine analysis
• Assessment of edema
• Frequent weight measurements
• Eye examination
• Liver and kidney function tests
• Blood clotting tests

Treating Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Just because you’ve developed PIH, doesn’t mean you’ll be subjected to all treatment options. Things such as your overall health, medical history, extent of the disease, your tolerance for medications, your opinions and preference will all determine which steps are necessary for you. Remember that the goal of the treatment is to prevent the condition from worsening and causing other complications, so treatment may include:

• Bedrest (either at home or in the hospital)
• Hospitalization
• Magnesium sulfate
• Fetal monitoring
• Continued testing of urine and blood
• Corticosteroids (medication that helps mature the lungs of the fetus)
• Delivery of the baby (usually by caesarean)