Hypertension and High-Risk Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

A high-risk pregnancy falls in that category for a variety of reasons, and high blood pressure can complicate things further. You need a top OB-GYN team on your side to ensure you and your baby stay safe and healthy. 

At Physicians for Women in Madison, Wisconsin, our team of highly skilled obstetricians and The Madison Midwives have helped many women through high-risk pregnancies and birthing for a happy outcome with a healthy mom and baby. 

High-risk pregnancy factors

There are many factors that contribute to making a pregnancy fall into a high-risk classification. Most factors don’t mean you’re automatically in danger of losing your baby. These factors just mean we take extra care and watch out for complications that are slightly more likely to occur.

Age of the expecting mother

If you’re under 20 or over 35, your age may be considered a risk factor. Not all women who are 20 have really finished developing yet, and you might need extra support to carry a healthy pregnancy. In the same vein, not all women over 35 are still in their prime child-bearing years, and they can use a little extra supervision as well. 

Diabetes or gestational diabetes

Diabetes causes high blood sugar, which can have effects on both mother and growing baby. Some women are diabetic before they become pregnant, while others develop “gestational diabetes” during the pregnancy that typically disappears after giving birth. Diabetes can lead to high birth weight and a difficult delivery.

Mental health issues

Being pregnant can be challenging. Some women come into a pregnancy with psychological conditions that they may or may not be getting treatment or taking medication for. Other women may develop anxiety or depression associated with being pregnant or giving birth. These cases require careful monitoring to make sure mom and baby stay safe and properly cared for.

Hypertension and high-risk pregnancy

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can add another risk factor to an already high-risk pregnancy. If you have hypertension, you could end up developing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can damage red blood cells, interfere with blood clotting, and cause liver problems that can be fatal. In most cases, women with preeclampsia are induced so they deliver early. Early delivery has its own list of risks to the baby, such as lungs not being fully developed. 

Proper care during a high-risk pregnancy can ensure signs of hypertension can be spotted early and steps taken to treat the condition. Bed rest is often recommended, and medications may be given to help keep blood pressure within normal parameters. The goals are to help protect the mom, and to allow the baby as much time to develop as possible before delivery.

Already have a high-risk pregnancy and just found out you’re hypertensive as well? Call our office at 608-218-4835 today, or schedule a consultation using our online booking system.