Gestational Hypertension

Subject: Midwifery I (Theory)

Overview

Gestational hypertension is defined as a persistent rise in blood pressure to 140/90 mmHg or higher at least two times 4 or more hours apart after the 20th week of pregnancy or during the first 24 hours following delivery in a previously normotensive woman. It must meet three criteria: there must be no evidence of the underlying cause of hypertension, it must be unrelated to other signs of pre-eclampsia, edema, or proteinuria, and the blood pressure should return to normal within 10 days of delivery.

Gestational hypertension is defined as the development of new hypertension (blood pressure 140/90mmHg) in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks of gestation without the presence of proteinuria or other pre-eclampsia symptoms. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension is another name for it.

Causes

  1. Having high blood pressure prior to or during pregnancy.
  2. Pregnancies in multiples
  3. Being afflicted with renal illness
  4. Being diabetic

Risk Factors

  1. Obesity
  2. Age 35 years or more
  3. Past history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and renal disease
  4. Adolescent pregnancy
  5. New paternity
  6. Multiple gestations
  7. Placental abnormalities
  8. Family history of eclampsia

Signs and Symptoms

  1. Severe headache
  2. Excessive vomiting
  3. Blood vomiting
  4. Dizziness, Drowsiness
  5. Fever
  6. Double vision
  7. Sudden blindness
  8. Abdomen pain
  9. Blood in urine
  10. Excessive swelling of feet and hands.

 Diagnosis and Tests

  1. Urine tests for the presence of protein
  2. Blood clotting test
  3. Blood pressure monitoring
  4. Check for any swelling and weight of the material
  5. Liver Function Test
  6. Kidney Function Test

Prevention and Treatment

  1. Maintain accurate records of the mother's blood pressure.
  2. Maintain fetal status monitoring with a Doppler and fetal kick count.
  3. Encourage a nutritious and well-balanced diet.
  4. Regular physical activity.
  5. Consumption of salt to taste
  6. Water and other liquid diets should be consumed in large quantities.
  7. Increased protein intake while decreasing fried and junk food consumption.
  8. Elevate your feet numerous times throughout the day and avoid alcohol and coffee-containing beverages.
  9. Regular prenatal visits are recommended.
  10. Carry out the necessary lab tests and investigations.
  11. Take the necessary medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Complication

  1. Placental abruption
  2. Poor fetal growth
  3. Stillbirth
  4. Seizures
  5. Death of both mother and baby

References

  • BabyCenter. November 2016. https://www.babycenter.com/0_gestational-hypertension-pregnancy-induced-hypertension_1427402.bc
  • Medscape. 1994. 2017 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/261435-overview
  • Web MD. 2005. 2017 http://www.webmd.com/baby/potential-complication-gestational-hypertension#1
  • Tuitui R. 2002, A textbook of Midwifery A (Antenatal), 3rd edition, Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandari (Publisher and Distributor), Bhotahity, Kathmandu
  • Tuitui R. 2002, A textbook of Midwifery C (Antenatal), 3rd edition, Vidyarthi Pustak Bhandari (Publisher and Distributor), Bhotahity, Kathmandu
  • Premed. 19 August 2013. http://www.pregmed.org/pregnancy-induced-hypertension-gestational-hypertension.htm
Things to remember
  • Pregnancy Induced Hypertension is another name for it.
  • Examine the maternal edema and weight.
  • Increased protein intake while decreasing fried and junk food consumption.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol and coffee-containing beverages.
Videos for Gestational Hypertension
gestational hypertension
Questions and Answers

Gestational hypertension is the development of new hypertension (blood pressure 140/90mmHg) in a pregnant woman after 20weeks of gestation without a presence of proteinuria, or other signs of pre- eclampsia. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension is another name for it.

Gestational Hypertension

The development of new hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg) in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks of gestation without the presence of proteinuria or other indications of pre-eclampsia is known as gestational hypertension. A different name for it is pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Causes

  • Prior to becoming pregnant or when previously pregnant, having high blood pressure.
  • A number of pregnancies
  • A kidney condition
  • Being a diabetic

Risk Factors

  • Obesity 35 years of age or older
  • Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney illness in the past
  • Teenage pregnancy
  • A fresh paternity
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Anomalies in the womb
  • Eclampsia in the family history

Signs and Symptoms

  • Terrible headache
  • A lot of vomiting
  • Violent vomiting
  • Drowsiness and vertigo
  • Fever
  • Dual perception
  • Abrupt blindness
  • Stomach ache
  • Excessive hand and foot swelling blood in the urine

Diagnosis and Tests

  • Tests for the presence of protein in urine
  • Test for blood clotting
  • Monitoring blood pressure
  • Check the maternal Liver Function Test for any edema and weight changes.
  • Test for Kidney Function

Prevention and Treatment

  • Keep track of the mother's blood pressure and make the necessary records.
  • Continually check the fetal status with a Doppler and a fetal kick counter.
  • Encourage a nutritious, well-balanced diet
  • Exercising frequently.
  • Consuming salt according to taste
  • Drink a lot of liquids, such as water and other diets.
  • Lowered the number of junk food and fried meals while increasing the protein consumption.
  • Elevate your feet numerous times throughout the day, and stay away from alcoholic and coffee-containing drinks.
  • Visit for routine prenatal examinations.
  • Carry out the necessary lab tests and research
  • Take the necessary medication as directed by a doctor.

Complication

  • Abrupt placentation
  • Faulty fetal growth
  • Stillbirth
  • Seizures
  • Mother and child both pass away

Gestational hypertension

The development of new hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg) in a pregnant woman after 20 weeks of gestation without the presence of proteinuria or other indications of pre-eclampsia is known as gestational hypertension. A different name for it is pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Causes

  • Prior to becoming pregnant or while previously pregnant, having high blood pressure.
  • A number of pregnancies
  • A kidney condition
  • Being a diabetic

Risk factors

  • Obesity
  • 35 years of age or older
  • Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and kidney illness in the past
  • Teenage pregnancy
  • A fresh paternity
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Anomalies in the womb
  • Eclampsia in the family history

Signs and symptoms

  • Terrible headache
  • A lot of vomiting
  • Violent vomiting
  • Drowsiness and vertigo
  • Fever
  • Dual perception
  • Abrupt blindness
  • Stomach ache
  • Excessive hand and foot swelling blood in the urine

Diagnosis and Tests

  • Tests for the presence of protein in urine
  • Test for blood clotting
  • Monitoring blood pressure
  • Check the maternal Liver Function Test for any swelling and weight changes.
  • Test for Kidney Function

Prevention and treatment

  • Keep track of the mother's blood pressure and make the necessary records.
  • Continually check the fetal status with a Doppler and a fetal kick counter.
  • Encourage a nutritious, well-balanced diet
  • Exercising frequently.
  • Consuming salt according to taste
  • Drink a lot of liquids, such as water and other diets.
  • Lowered the number of junk food and fried meals while increasing the protein consumption.
  • Elevate your feet numerous times throughout the day, and stay away from alcoholic and coffee-containing drinks.
  • Visit for routine prenatal examinations.
  • Carry out the necessary lab tests and research
  • Take the appropriate medication as directed by a doctor.

Complication

  • Abrupt placentation
  • Faulty fetal growth
  • Stillbirth
  • Seizures
  • Mother and child both pass away

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