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Complications of High Blood pressure during Pregnancy Preeclamsia
Complications
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preeclampsia (pregnancy
induced hypertension) is a serious condition that must be monitored and treated to avoid
complications. While preeclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) affects only about five percent
to eight percent of pregnancies in the United States, it is one of the top three causes of maternal
death. About 1 out of 100,000 pregnant women die after having some form of complications from this
disease. Most women with preeclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) deliver healthy babies. The
more severe your preeclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) and the earlier it occurs in your
pregnancy, however, the greater the risks for you and your baby.
Complications of preeclampsia (pregnancy induced
hypertension) may include:
Lack of blood flow to the
placenta. preeclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) affects the arteries carrying blood to
the placenta. If the placenta doesn't get enough blood, the baby may receive less oxygen and
nutrients. This can lead to slow growth, low birth weight, preterm birth or
stillbirth.
Placental abruption.
preeclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) increases the risk of placental abruption, in
which the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. Severe abruption
can cause heavy bleeding, which can be life-threatening for both mother and
baby.
HELLP syndrome. HELLP —
which stands for hemolysis (the destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes and low
platelet count — syndrome can rapidly become life-threatening for both mother and baby. Symptoms
of HELLP syndrome include nausea and vomiting, headache and upper right abdominal pain. HELLP
syndrome is particularly dangerous because it can occur before signs or symptoms of preeclampsia
(pregnancy induced hypertension) appear. You can get heavy bleeding (haemorrhage) too. H stands
for haemolysis (red cells in your blood burst), EL stands for elevated liver enzymes (a sign of
liver damage) and LP stands for low platelets (platelets are tiny particles that help your blood
to clot).
Eclampsia. When preeclampsia
(pregnancy induced hypertension) isn't controlled, eclampsia — which is essentially preeclampsia
(pregnancy induced hypertension) plus seizures — can develop. Symptoms of eclampsia include
upper right abdominal pain, severe headache, vision problems and change in mental status, such
as decreased alertness. Eclampsia can permanently damage a mother's vital organs, including the
brain, liver and kidneys. Left untreated, eclampsia can cause coma, brain damage and death for
both mother and baby.
Stroke: A stroke caused by a
blood vessel bursting in the brain. This type of stroke is most likely to happen if you have
very high blood pressure and drugs don't work to bring it down.
Moreover you may have following Pre-eclampsia
complications
Kidney problems. Your
kidneys may not work properly. Or they may just stop working. But they should get better on
their own after you have your baby.3
Eye problems. You can lose your eyesight, but this is
temporary.
Heart problems. These include heart attack and heart
failure.
Lung problems. One of these problems is that fluid builds up in your
lungs. Doctors call that pulmonary oedema.
To avoid such complications
it is necessary to control your blood pressure during pregnancy.
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