Blood flow rates are very important when carrying a baby. Through the blood, the child in the mother's tummy receives all the components he needs for growth. Blood pressure changes in late pregnancy can be very dangerous.
Features in this period
Blood pressure (BP) indicators should be monitored throughout pregnancy. The importance of measuring this indicator of blood flow in the late stages of bearing a baby cannot be overemphasized. A change in blood pressure may indicate various pathologies in both the expectant mother and her baby.
Blood pressure readings change quite often during pregnancy. This change is largely facilitated by changing hormonal background.
Specific pregnancy hormones have a pronounced effect on the systemic blood flow. Changes in the lumen of blood vessels under the influence of various hormones lead to an increase or decrease in blood pressure.
Norms
In late pregnancy, it is very important to monitor the blood pressure indicators in the expectant mother. She can do this on her own or when visiting a doctor.
It is better if such measurements are carried out regularly. It is especially important to follow this recommendation for expectant mothers who have problems with blood pressure. Women who are at high risk should also not avoid this simple and routine procedure.
Specialists identify several types of blood pressure:
- The first one they call "Upper" or systolic. It is determined when the first heartbeat appears when measuring blood pressure using a tonometer. In pregnant women, the systolic pressure should not exceed 140 mm. Art. Its fall is below 100 mm. it is also an unfavorable sign requiring medical attention.
- The second type of blood pressure is called diastolic or "lower"... Its value corresponds to the last audible heartbeat when measuring blood pressure with a tonometer. The increase in this indicator is above 100 mm. - an unfavorable sign requiring mandatory consultation with a doctor. It is also necessary to consult a doctor if the diastolic pressure is below 60 mm. Art.
The most optimal pressure that is found in most women in late pregnancy is 130 to 80 mm. Such figures are not a manifestation of pathology and indicate a normal level of blood flow.
Reasons for change
The stronger the health of the expectant mother before pregnancy, the lower the risk of developing various pathologies in her. Quite a lot of different chronic diseases of internal organs contribute to the change in blood pressure.
In the last stages of pregnancy, leaps in blood pressure can lead to pathologies that arise both in the maternal body and on the part of the fetus. The severity of functional disorders largely depends on how strongly this or that disease is expressed.
According to statistics, an increase in blood pressure is most often found in women over 40. This is caused by age-related changes in the tone and diameter of blood vessels.
If a pregnant woman in the family has one of the close relatives had hypertension or myocardial infarction, then the risk of her developing a persistent increase in blood pressure increases several times.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system can also lead to frequent surges in blood pressure in late pregnancy. Expectant mothers with arrhythmias or other heart rhythm disorders must additionally visit a cardiologist when carrying a baby.
If before pregnancy they used any medications of the cardiac spectrum, then after conception, it is imperative to discuss with the doctor the possibility of their further intake. In such a situation, it may be necessary to cancel some drugs and the selection of new drugs that do not have an adverse effect on the developing fetus.
Expectant mothers who are obese or have pronounced excess body weight are also at risk of developing a persistent increase in blood pressure. It must be remembered that during pregnancy, the load on the female body increases many times.
An increase in baby's body weight already entails changes in peripheral blood flow. If a woman's body weight significantly exceeds normal values due to obesity, this will inevitably lead to the fact that when measuring her blood pressure, she will receive high rates.
Diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract are common causes of hypertension. It is important to note that some of these pathologies are accompanied not by an increase, but by a decrease in blood pressure.
Violation of the outflow of urine leads to a change in the volume of circulating blood in the body. Ultimately, the resulting functional disorders are manifested by a change in blood pressure numbers. Quite often, pathologies appear at 35-38 weeks of pregnancy.
Neurological diseases that have arisen before the conception of a baby can also have an adverse effect on blood pressure readings. Various traumatic brain injuries, previous meningitis or meningoencephalitis lead to a persistent change in this indicator of blood flow. In such a situation, the expectant mother you should definitely see a neurologist. This specialist will select the necessary therapy and offer her a number of necessary recommendations.
There are also a number of certain pathologies that occur only in pregnant women. One of them is gestosis.
This pathology can be very dangerous for both the mother and her baby. It is accompanied by the development of persistent changes in blood pressure, as well as the appearance of protein in the urinary sediment. The general condition of the expectant mother with this pathology is significantly disturbed.
How is it determined?
Persistent deviations from the norm are accompanied by the appearance of adverse symptoms. So, with an increase in blood pressure, a woman has a headache. The nature of the pain syndrome can be growing and bursting.
The pain spreads all over the head. Usually, the epicenter of the pain syndrome is at the back of the head... Many women experience strong pulsation in their temples.
Dizziness is another common symptom that occurs with blood pressure disorders. This clinical sign manifests itself mainly with a change in body position. For many women, the vertigo becomes very severe. The severity of the condition can be aggravated by the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes.
Expectant mothers with blood pressure problems begin to experience rapid fatigue. Even after completing the usual daily routines, they get tired very quickly. In this case, they need to rest more often to improve their general well-being. Quite often, this symptom appears already in the last weeks of pregnancy.
A common complaint that therapists hear from pregnant women at a doctor's appointment is general weakness. This is a completely normal symptom that occurs at 37-39 weeks of pregnancy. In some cases, it appears much earlier - by 30-32 weeks.
Expectant mothers who are carrying twins or triplets may become more tired. However, in pregnant women with blood pressure problems, general weakness can be very pronounced.
This unfavorable symptom leads to the fact that the expectant mother is often forced to rest. Some women increased daytime sleepiness. On the contrary, night sleep is disturbed. Often, expectant mothers suffering from drops in blood pressure complain about persistent insomnia and the appearance of restless frightening dreams in them.
How is the treatment carried out?
The choice of therapy will depend on many baseline variables. To normalize blood pressure levels, doctors will definitely recommend the expectant mother to closely monitor the daily regimen. Adequate sleep, good nutrition and limiting psycho-emotional stress are important factors in the treatment of any vascular disorders.
For women suffering from persistent and pronounced increase in blood pressure, doctors will definitely recommend limiting significant physical activity. Especially under the ban, lifting weights.
In late pregnancy the expectant mother must carefully plan and observe her daily routine... Walking in the fresh air will have a positive effect not only on the mother's body, but will also be very beneficial for her baby.
If a woman is diagnosed with any dangerous pathology that can become a threat to her life or her baby, she will be hospitalized in a hospital. In a medical facility, she will be provided with all the necessary treatment.
In some situations, the expectant mother is in the hospital until the very birth. However, this option is possible with a really severe pathology that requires daily medical supervision.
It is very important to monitor blood pressure from the 36th week of pregnancy until the very birth. At this time, the female body is preparing for the upcoming birth of a baby. Any deviation from the norm of blood pressure requires a mandatory visit to a doctor for consultation.
Next, we recommend that you listen to an obstetrician-gynecologist who will tell you everything about high blood pressure during pregnancy.
