Hypertension

Poorly controlled hypertension (high blood pressure) can put you and your baby at risk of serious problems. You can lower these risks by keeping your blood pressure under control before and during your pregnancy.

Risks to your baby

• Decreased blood flow through the placenta, which carries oxygen and nourishment to your baby. Decreased blood flow may affect your baby’s ability to grow and thrive and increases the risk of premature birth or stillbirth.

Risks to mom

• Placental abruption, a condition where the placenta separates from the uterus, which may result in shock for the mother and stress for the baby.
• Preeclampsia, which may cause serious liver and kidney problems, keep blood from clotting, and cause seizures. In rare cases, preeclampsia can cause stroke or death. Preeclampsia goes away after your baby is delivered.

If you have hypertension

• Talk with the doctor who manages your hypertension before you get pregnant to get on the right medications
• Take your medications faithfully
• Your doctor may want to see you more often to monitor your blood pressure, or ask you to monitor your blood pressure at home
• Eat a healthy, low sodium diet
• Be active and manage your stress
• If you are overweight, lose weight before pregnancy
• Before pregnancy, take a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid
• During pregnancy, take a prenatal vitamin with 800 mcg of folic acid