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Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) occurs when a woman develops high blood pressure - readings of 140/90 or higher - during her pregnancy. PIH typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy in women who previously had normal blood pressure. Without treatment, PIH can be life-threatening to both mother and baby.
In conjunction with strategic health-care providers, including hospitals, home-care agencies, and physicians, Biomedical Systems' perinatal nurses teach patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension how to use digital blood-pressure cuffs and urine dipsticks. Patients receive instruction on in-home collection of blood pressure values, measuring weight, checking urine protein and assessing fetal movement. The data is received and analyzed daily by a high-risk obstetrical nurse who completes a telephonic maternal-fetal assessment and reinforces the physicians plan of care.
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Different Types of PIH
The different types of PIH fall into three categories:
Gestational Hypertension - High blood pressure only
Preeclampsia - High blood pressure and protein in the urine
Eclampsia - High blood pressure, protein in the urine and convulsions or seizures
Note: Although swelling can be a normal part of pregnancy, swelling in the face and hands often accompanies preeclampsia and ecalmpsia.
Warning Signs of PIH
- Rapid and dramatic weight gain
- Rise in blood pressure
- Swelling, especially in the face and hands
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Blurred vision or double vision
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Protein in the urine
- Decrease in urnination
If you notice any of these symptoms contact your healthcare professional. Most serious problems are usually preventable when blood pressure levels and symptoms of preeclampsia are closely monitored.
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