VBAC Risks -- High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
About 7 out of 100 women develop hypertension, or high-blood pressure, during pregnancy. This is called pregnancy-induced hypertension, or sometimes pre-eclampsia or toxemia. The cause of this is unknown.
In some cases, having high blood pressure may cause damage to the kidneys, brain, eyes, and liver. In severe cases, high blood pressure can lead to seizures or a coma.
Treatment depends on severity of the hypertension, and how far along the pregnancy is. If high blood pressure occurs during the pregnancy, treatment may include bedrest and medication. Additional testing of the baby may also be done in your last trimester, such as periodic tests of the baby's heart rate.
Or, sometimes, labor may be induced to prevent complications for the mother and baby.
If pregnancy-induced high blood pressure develops and is not treated, it can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. So, it is a good idea to have your blood pressure checked regularly throughout your pregnancy.
