{"id":1172,"date":"2020-04-20T12:13:08","date_gmt":"2020-04-20T12:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/?p=1172"},"modified":"2025-09-22T11:45:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T15:45:47","slug":"how-to-treat-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/blog\/how-to-treat-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Treat High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High blood pressure is not to be taken lightly, especially during pregnancy. And the concern only gets bigger if you already suffer from chronic hypertension. Essentially, chronic hypertension means that you already suffer from high blood pressure even before pregnancy and possibly even take medication for it. This particular condition also refers to the high blood pressure that occurs in pregnancy before 20 weeks is up or continues to persist for more than 12 weeks postpartum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep in mind that experiencing high blood pressure during pregnancy could also point to the condition called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia and high blood pressure have their similarities but are essentially different issues. That said, suffering from high blood pressure doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t get pregnant. The condition can also be effectively treated if it happens during pregnancy for the <a href=\"\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/blog\/first-gynecologist-visit\/\">first time<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Is Healthy Pregnancy Possible with High Blood Pressure?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re aware of your high blood pressure, and especially if you\u2019re suffering from chronic hypertension, you should plan your pregnancy and talk to your doctor before getting pregnant. Of course, it\u2019s not too late to <a href=\"\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/blog\/questions-you-should-ask-gynecologist-on-a-first-visit\/\">ask your doctor<\/a> what the best course of action is even if you get pregnant without prior planning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In case you\u2019re taking medication for maintaining your blood pressure, your doctor will address the types of meds that you use and their safety for the baby. It\u2019s true that some hypertension meds are not good for a growing fetus but that doesn\u2019t mean all of them are bad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unfortunately, it\u2019s not uncommon for chronic hypertension to get worse during pregnancy. And if you develop preeclampsia on top of it, you\u2019d be at serious risk of health issues such as poor vision, kidney\/liver problems, stroke and seizures, and even congestive heart failure. High diastolic pressure (the bottom number of your blood pressure) can put a strain on your heart and has to be treated immediately.<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1174\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches.jpg\" alt=\"Pregnant woman suffering from headaches\" width=\"1000\" height=\"684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches-200x137.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches-400x274.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches-600x410.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches-768x525.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches-800x547.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/Pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headaches.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Will I Develop Preeclampsia?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Preeclampsia is a high blood pressure that occurs only in pregnancy. In that respect, you don\u2019t have to suffer from chronic hypertension in order to develop it, but, at the same time, you\u2019re not completely safe from it even if you control your chronic hypertension with adequate medication. This pregnancy-induced hypertension can be rather dangerous, especially if it gets severe. If you happen to develop preeclampsia, chances are your doctor will suggest induced or cesarean labor in order to prevent potential complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Does High Blood Pressure Mean High-Risk Pregnancy?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chronic medical problems always point to high-risk pregnancy, high blood pressure included. Basically, women who already suffer from high blood pressure and then get pregnant automatically have their pregnancy classified as a high-risk one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If this is the case for you, too, you should seek help from a healthcare specialist. A <a href=\"\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/obstetrician-bradenton-florida\/\">professional obstetrician<\/a> who works with high-risk pregnancies is an obvious choice. Even if you develop health conditions during pregnancy, an obstetrician can take care of you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aside from the obstetrician, you might need to go to the perinatal care center. This is only for the most severe health conditions in order to prevent your baby from getting ill.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not only do you need to take good care of yourself during pregnancy, but you obviously have to think about your child. High blood pressure can pose a risk to your baby as well. Of course, just because you suffer from chronic hypertension doesn\u2019t mean your baby will have any health issues. But, if you disregard proper care, there are several concerns you should be aware of:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Growth impairment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Respiratory difficulties<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Placental abruption<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Drug side effects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Managing High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sadly, chronic hypertension doesn\u2019t have a known cure. So, if you suffer from this condition, you can only maintain it based on your baseline blood pressure. Still, this doesn\u2019t have to be the end of the world, especially with the advancements in the medical world and different self-care options you have at your disposal. That said, the following practices can make a world of difference and contribute to your healthier self and healthy pregnancy:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eat a balanced diet with a limited sodium intake<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use your blood pressure meds the way your doctor told you to<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have regular prenatal appointments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Engage in regular but light exercises unless you\u2019re on a bed rest<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Completely quit smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking illicit drugs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep track of your weight so you don\u2019t gain too much<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1175\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation.jpg\" alt=\"doctor gynecologist giving consultation\" width=\"1000\" height=\"811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation-200x162.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation-300x243.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation-400x324.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation-600x487.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation-768x623.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation-800x649.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/04\/doctor-gynecologist-giving-consultation.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Causes Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the opposite end of the spectrum, it\u2019s also possible to experience low blood pressure during pregnancy. Due to expanded circulation and dilated blood vessels caused by hormonal changes, some women have their blood pressure drop when pregnant. This drop usually manifests at the beginning of the pregnancy and reaches its lowest point in the middle of the second trimester. Common low blood pressure symptoms include dizziness and fainting. These symptoms can get very severe when you make a sudden movement such as standing up quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, pregnancy-induced hypotension doesn\u2019t tend to be very severe. In general, the systolic pressure (the top number of your BP) drops by 5-10 mmHg, while the diastolic pressure can drop up to 15 mmHg in a normal pregnancy. When low blood pressure in pregnancy is concerned, it usually returns to normal postpartum, especially if you didn\u2019t suffer from the issue before you got pregnant.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Managing Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most doctors won\u2019t prescribe a medication to treat pregnancy-induced low blood pressure unless it could lead to some serious complications (which is rare in this case). What\u2019s more, chances are your blood pressure will rise once you enter your third trimester. On the other hand, you can practice adequate self-care in order to better manage the symptoms of low blood pressure yourself:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Never get up too quickly when you\u2019re sitting or lying down<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid standing for too long<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Instead of large meals, opt for several smaller meals during the day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You shouldn\u2019t take very hot showers\/baths<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Up your water intake<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Choose looser clothes to feel more comfortable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Take your prenatal supplements regularly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Both high and low blood pressure can be viewed as a normal occurrence during pregnancy. However, chronic high blood pressure could pose additional risks during this sensitive period in a woman\u2019s life and even result in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/preeclampsia\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20355745\">preeclampsia<\/a>. And even though low blood pressure doesn\u2019t seem to be as serious, keep in mind that dizziness and fainting due to blood pressure drop could cause a rather nasty fall, which could also be very dangerous for both you and the baby. This is why it\u2019s crucial to visit your doctor and put trust in renowned professionals that you can feel comfortable with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reach out to us at <a href=\"\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/\">Women\u2019s Care of Bradenton<\/a> if you\u2019re looking for the top-quality <a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/gynecologist-bradenton-florida\/\">Obstetrics and Gynecology<\/a> service. It\u2019s our pride and business to make you feel confident, comfortable, healthy, and safe. You can count on a comprehensive female health focus such as obstetrics, gynecology, cosmetic procedures, and women\u2019s health research. We welcome women of all ages and hope to encourage even more ladies to take their health more seriously. This is why it\u2019s so important to us to provide you with the best possible care and exceptional experience when you visit our office.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High blood pressure is not to be taken lightly, especially during pregnancy. And the concern only gets bigger if you already suffer from chronic hypertension. Essentially, chronic hypertension means that you already suffer from high blood pressure even before pregnancy and possibly even take medication for it. This particular condition also refers to the high<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1173,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[112,110,107,108,109,111],"class_list":["post-1172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-obgyn-facts","tag-baseline-blood-pressure","tag-chronic-hypertension","tag-high-diastolic-pressure","tag-low-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy","tag-pregnancy-induced-hypertension","tag-what-causes-low-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1172\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/womens-care-of-bradenton\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}