Can High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy Lead To Preeclampsia?

Highlights

High blood pressure during pregnancy or gestational hypertension can be a problem and needs to be monitored.

Preeclampsia is a condition during pregnancy characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure and swelling in the face, hands, and feet.

If preeclampsia is untreated, it can develop into eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition.

The exact causes of preeclampsia are not known but are likely to involve blood vessels in the placenta

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For Zahra Aliakbar, pregnancy came with a lot of trouble. Little did she know that the joy of having a child would come with so many difficulties and health issues. The onset of third trimester brought with it new pregnancy symptoms, she knew little about.

Her blood pressure was high and she developed swelling in the legs and water retention also known as edema. Her family history of hypertension and diabetes may have caused gestational hypertension.

“I had high blood pressure in my 9th month. But luckily it was not that serious”, says Zahra. “I was even admitted for a few days and kept under observation”.

High blood pressure during pregnancy or gestational hypertension can be a problem and needs to be monitored. Around 10 to 25 percent of women with gestational hypertension can progress to having a condition called preeclampsia which damages organs. High blood pressure and protein in the urine are the main reasons which cause preeclampsia.

“In my last trimester, I had a lot of swelling and water retention on my face, hands, and feet. I was on medication to lower my blood pressure till I delivered my baby. This could have led to more complications, but thankfully it did not.”

– Zahra Aliakbar

Symptoms and Complications of Preeclampsia

It is characterized by swelling in the legs and water retention, but this can be hard to distinguish from a normal pregnancy. If preeclampsia is not treated it can develop to eclampsia, in which the mother can experience seizures, go into a coma, and can even die.

Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for mother and the baby. Delivery of the baby is the best way to treat this condition but in some cases, it may take time for the mother to get better even after childbirth and in rare cases leads to a condition known as postpartum preeclampsia.

Swelling in feet — Swelling in the feet of a pregnant woman due to water retention

Blurry vision, sometimes seeing flashing lights, headaches, breathlessness, weight gain due to edema, vomiting, decrease in urine output are some of the symptoms to look out for if you are already having gestational hypertension.

The doctor may order blood tests, fetal ultrasound or non stress tests to check if there is decrease in platelets in the blood or impaired liver function or any restriction in fetal growth due to decreased blood supply to the placenta. Urine samples are collected over 12 hours or more, and the amount of protein is assessed to determine proteinuria. This can indicate the severity of the condition.

Causes and Cures

Though the exact causes of this condition are not known, experts say that the main reason is due to the narrowing of the blood vessels which may be caused due to a variety of reasons like damage to the blood vessels, insufficient blood flow to the uterus, immune system problems, genetic factors.

Though in most cases, delivering the baby is the best treatment, if you’re diagnosed with preeclampsia too early in your pregnancy, treatment or management protocol may include administering antihypertensive drugs, anticonvulsants and corticosteroids.

The doctor may also restrict physical activities and recommend bed rest to keep the blood pressure in control. Towards the end of pregnancy delivery may be hastened and labor is induced or a cesarean delivery is performed. Magnesium sulfate may also be given to improve uterine blood flow and prevent seizures.

Who is more at risk?

Family history, personal history of preeclampsia, women over 40 and teenagers are more likely to develop preeclampsia. Also certain conditions and illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, kidney disease and obesity, increase the risks. If a woman is expecting two or more babies, the risk is more.

Diet modifications

“Because blood pressure affects circulation, it can affect the amount of nutrients that are reaching the baby”, says Zahra who is also a nutritionist. “Therefore it is important to eat a nutrient-rich diet.Also include plenty of healthy foods like wholegrains, fish, nuts, legumes, fruit, vegetables and dairy products and foods rich in omega 3 are particularly important if someone has preeclampsia. Also abstain from fatty foods which may result in weight gain and oily foods which may cause indigestion, bloating and acidity”.

“Apart from some underlying causes for pre-eclampsia, the inevitable urges for certain kinds of food during pregnancy like spicy, sweet, sour, very often leads us to indulge in eating less nutritious food which triggers many gestational induced disorders like weight gain, gestational diabetes, and hypertension. So it’s best to curb the cravings and make conscious efforts to eat a healthy diet high in calcium magnesium Vitamin B and Vitamin D. Take regular supplements of the same. Avoid high salt foods like pizzas, pickles, potato chips, and such other processed foods, But it’s not recommended to follow a super low salt diet which may lead to water deficiency to the growing fetus”.

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Imagine having a small bell-shaped period product that sits fine at the base of your cervix and soaks in all the blood during periods. A mess-free alternative that saves you from spotting and leakage without making a hole in your pocket. A Menstrual cup does it all for you. Yes, that is for real!

Hereon, we will talk all about menstrual cup to dispel all your doubts and unravel the enigma around this mystery period product.

What is a menstrual cup?

Basically, a menstrual cup is a bell-shaped period product made of medical-grade silicone free from any nasty chemicals to keep any harm off limits. It is inserted into the vagina during menstruation. It collects menstrual fluid along with other fluids. Interestingly, a menstrual cup can last up to a decade if you use it the right way and secondly if you don’t lose it.

How to choose a chemical-free menstrual cup?

Most menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone. The material used for making menstrual cups are tested for bio-compatibility and are appropriate to be used for internal use. You might find some made of latex. However, If you have latex allergy, choosing the silicone cup would be a better option. Using a cup over other menstrual products makes you less susceptible to Toxic Shock Syndrome due to its chemical-free properties.

To be sure of picking up the chemical-free cup, check the list of materials mentioned on the packaging.

Will buying a menstrual cup cost me a fortune?

The menstrual cup is graded as a ‘luxury item’ by most users firstly due to it’s low popularity and secondly the higher purchasing cost. A menstrual cup costs around 250- 600 INR on average. However, the catch is a menstrual cup can last over a decade with proper care and attention.

How to use a menstrual cup?

Now that you know how to pick an affordable menstrual cup, let’s get to the real task of learning about its usage. Follow these steps to place the cup comfortably inside the vagina –

1. Wash your hands properly with soap and water.
You need to be extra hygienic while dealing with your vagina as even minimal exposure to germs can cause infections.

2. Apply water or lube at the rim of the cup.
If you are a beginner it is recommended to use some water or lube at the rim of the cup before insertion as using it plainly might cause some friction down there making it difficult for the cup to slide in.

3. Tightly fold the cup with your finger so that it bends into half from the middle, with it’s rim facing upwards.

4. Now, insert the cup into your vagina such that it sits at the base of your cervix.

5. After putting it inside the vagina, rotate it to allow the cup to create an airtight lid that collects vaginal fluid and prevents leakage.

To check if you have inserted the cup correctly try to do a few movements such as walking, jumping, and bending. If you do not feel the cup down there, Kudos! You have done a great job.

When should I remove my cup?

Ideally, it is recommended to remove the cup immediately after 12 hours of insertion. Remove the cup with clean hands, empty the fluid, rinse it with water and insert it back carefully. However, if you have heavy flow, consider emptying the cup before 12 hours.

How should I remove my cup?

You simply need to follow the steps stated below to remove the cup out of your vagina safely.

Wash your hands with soap and water
Pull the stem of the cup gently with the help of your thumb and index finger.
Pinch the base of the cup, it will squeeze in and slide out of your vagina.
Once it’s out, empty the cup into the sink or toilet.

How should I clean my cup?

It’s super easy. Follow these simple steps –

Empty the fluids of your cup and fill it with soapy water.
Cover the opening of the cup with your palm and flip it to squeeze the water out of the suction hole.
Rub the cup between your palms to remove the leftover gunk.
You may also use soft bristles brushes to clean the suction holes of the cup.
Once it is clean, it’s ready to be inserted again.

It is recommended to sterilize the cups before the first use and before/after every period. An easy way to sterilize the cup is to first clean the cup with soap and water and then put it into the boiling water for 2-3 mins. Remove the cup from water, let it dry and your cup is ready for the next period.

Though the thought of switching to a menstrual cup may seem intimidating, it really is not that tough once you try it. However, if you still face problems while using the menstrual cup it is recommended to talk to someone who has been already using a cup or consult your doctor.

You choose the best of everything for yourself, then why leave behind your periods?
Smash the taboos and pick what’s best for your sexual health. Your vagina deserves all the care to ensure healthy and hassle-free periods!

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