Legacy Women's Health

Pregnancy and Hypertension

Pregnancy and hypertension: Recognizing the critical signs of gestational hypertension

Pregnancy is an exciting time of preparation for your new bundle of joy and what this new chapter brings into your life. Because taking care of yourself during this phase is so important, our San Antonio OBGYN women’s health providers want to educate our patients about important health considerations, including pregnancy and hypertension. In 6% to 8% of pregnancies, gestational hypertension develops, requiring careful monitoring to protect both mother and baby.

What is pregnancy-induced hypertension?

Unlike other types of hypertension, gestational hypertension surfaces in the second half of pregnancy and typically disappears after childbirth.

One of the things we do at each pregnancy appointment is take your blood pressure, so that our San Antonio OBGYN women’s health providers can monitor your readings throughout pregnancy. To be diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension, your blood pressure will usually measure 140/90 mmHg or higher for an extended period of time.

What are the common symptoms of gestational hypertension?

Higher-than-normal blood pressure is the most obvious sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Family history, obesity, chronic ongoing high blood pressure or kidney disease, diabetes, or raised blood pressure during prior pregnancies may increase your risk of complications.

Some patients have no obvious links to pregnancy and hypertension. The following are potential indicators that would warrant further investigation.

  • Headaches
  • Swelling
  • Vision changes
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sudden weight gain

What is pre-eclampsia?

Many people confuse gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, a more serious form of high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia can affect the kidneys, liver, lungs or brain, as well as the placenta, which creates added risk for the baby. With gestational hypertension, blood pressure is elevated, but there is no protein in the urine and no indications of kidney problems.

Treatment options for pregnancy and hypertension

To determine treatment steps, our San Antonio OBGYN women’s health providers evaluate the severity of the condition, the mother’s overall health, and the gestational age of the pregnancy. The goal is to reduce your blood pressure and stop gestational hypertension from progressing.

We may recommend that patients take frequent blood pressure readings at home and regularly track fetal movement. Additionally, our team will perform routine monitoring of the baby’s health using sonogram imaging, biophysical profiling and doppler ultrasound, which measures blood flow.

During pregnancy, some patients develop higher‑than‑normal blood pressure. Pregnancy and hypertension require careful monitoring because this condition can affect your health well as your baby’s growth and development. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with our San Antonio OBGYN women’s health providers.

Pregnancy induced hypertension is high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It needs close monitoring because it can affect both your health and your baby’s well being.

Some people notice swelling, headaches, vision changes or rapid weight gain, while others have no symptoms at all. Any concerning changes should be discussed with your healthcare provider right away.

Your doctor may recommend more frequent checkups, blood pressure monitoring, and lifestyle adjustments to help keep you and your baby safe. In some cases, additional treatments may be needed, depending on how your condition progresses.