High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy With Joyce Okuhon

Joyce is a child of God, daughter, sister, wife and a mother. She schooled at University of Nigeria Nsukka, worked at some point with an NGO and hospital before relocating to the Uk. She is a nurse/midwife and she is passionate about supporting people, business minded and ever willing to learn.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN PREGNANCY

High blood pressure(HBP) in pregnancy is also known as pre eclampsia(PE) and is one of the most common causes of maternal and child death. It is an acute condition that happens to a pregnant woman who had always had a normal blood pressure but suddenly becomes high.

DIAGNOSES

⁃ Protein in urine
⁃ Blood pressure above 140/90mmHg

CAUSES

The exact cause is really not known, but it is thought to occur when there is problem with the placenta.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

⁃ Oedema
⁃ Severe headache
⁃ Vision problem
⁃ Pain just below the ribs
⁃ Fetal slow growth

WHO IS AT RISK?

⁃ Diabetic patients
⁃ Those with kidney disease before pregnancy, having developed in previous conceptions

SLIGHT CHANCES

⁃ Family history
⁃ Age above 40years
⁃ Having been at least 10years since your last pregnancy
⁃ Multiple pregnancy
⁃ Body mass index (BMI) of 35 and above

TREATMENT

⁃ Monitor BP closely
⁃ The only way to cure PE is to deliver the baby
⁃ Labor maybe induced or CS
⁃ Medication maybe given prior to delivery

PREVENTION

⁃ Keep active
⁃ Balance diet
⁃ Minimize salt intake
⁃ Maintain a healthy weight

COMPLICATIONS

⁃ Eclampsia
⁃ Brain damage
⁃ Maternal death
⁃ Stillborn
⁃ Stroke
⁃ Liver failure
⁃ Kidney failure