World Hypertension Day 2024: What is gestational hypertension and how to manage it?

Any medicines you’ve been consuming to check if it is okay for you to continue those medicines during your pregnancy. (Image: Canva)

Gestational hypertension is diagnosed when, after about 20 weeks of normal pregnancy, the female’s blood pressure readings are increased to 140/90 mm Hg. In most cases it goes away after pregnancy. If it stays beyond, one’s pregnancy, the diagnosis is then called chronic hypertension.

It is a major concern because high blood pressure increases resistance in the blood vessels. This may lead to lack of blood flow to various organs of the body of the expectant mother. This, in turn, can cause detachment of the placenta from the uterus at a pre-mature stage, poor growth of the foetus and stillbirth. If it is not diagnosed and treated on time, it may cause serious seizures and, in some cases, even the death of the expectant mother, suggests Dr Astha Dayal, lead consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, CK Birla hospital, Gurugram.

To manage or prevent gestational hypertension, Dayal suggests some steps that needs to be followed.

Pre-pregnancy tips:

• Talk to your doctor about your pregnancy regarding the following
• Any medicines you’ve been consuming to check if it is okay for you to continue those medicines during your pregnancy.
• Any health issues you have or had to prevent complications during pregnancy.
• Maintain a healthy weight, and diet. Avoid smoking, consuming alcohol because maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy affects child’s health.

• Maintain regular and early pre-natal appointments to let your Dr guide you to a healthy pregnancy and manage anomalies if present.
• Keep a check on your blood pressure. Contact your Dr immediately if you see it’s higher than usual so that they may diagnose the reason and assist you in better management and prevent complications, if any.
•  Ensure you continue to eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly so that there is a healthy foetal growth and improved chances of perinatal survival.
• Do not take any over-the-counter medicine.

• Observe and watch out on how you feel after you give birth. If you previously had an increased blood pressure, it is likely that you’ll be at a risk for stroke and other complications. In case of any problem, inform your Dr immediately.

First time expectant mothers, mothers with a past history of gestational hypertension, females expecting a twin, people with diabetes or are under the age of 20 or over the age of 40 or have a family history or have an immune system disorder are more at risk to suffer from this disease.It is essential for females, especially the ones who are at risk, to prevent
complications like these for a healthy and safe delivery of the child. This disease not only affects the female, but also severely impacts the foetus. So, it is necessary for you to be constantly in contact with your Dr if you are expecting a child. By careful monitoring and proactive steps, one can manage and/or prevent this disease.