About pre-eclampsia
High blood pressure during pregnancy is always of some concern. However, a woman's blood pressure can fluctuate for many reasons and the occasional high reading does not always indicate there is a problem. The following is a brief overview of high blood pressure readings as well as an explanation of
pre-eclampsia(the type of high blood pressure that is usually associated with health concerns during pregnancy). If you would like to have a better understanding of how the blood pressure is measured, why it usually increases and decreases during pregnancy and what this may indicate, you can read
tests during pregnancy - blood pressure. For more in depth information on the health effects of pre-eclampsia and how this condition may be treated you can read
blood pressure, pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.
It is estimated that about 10% of pregnant women will have their blood pressure recorded as being 'above normal' at some point before they give birth. However, this is regarded as being quite normal, because a 'one off' high reading does not really indicate a health problem. It is only after multiple blood pressure readings taken at separate visits (or over a few hours) that it is possible to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure during pregnancy, or 'pre-eclampsia'.
To diagnose pre-eclampsia there also needs to be other physical signs. The main sign is protein in the urine (detected through an instant urine test) and sometimes swelling or fluid retention (although this can be a normal occurence for many women during pregnancy). If there is no protein in the urine, then it is likely that the woman is just feeling anxious or stressed, or is doing too much in her general day to day life. If this is the case, her blood pressure will usually settle down after some rest and reducing her workload and commitments.