Is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 high for a pregnant woman? How dangerous is it?

Hello, Ms. Hằng. I would like to answer your questions as follows:

1. Is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 high for a pregnant woman?

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of your arteries when the heart pumps blood throughout the body. When pregnant, high blood pressure can affect your body differently than when you are not pregnant. If this condition is not controlled, both you and your fetus are at risk for serious complications.

So, is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 high for a pregnant woman? According to many guidelines, pregnancy-induced hypertension is defined as a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher that begins in the second half of pregnancy (usually after 20 weeks). Hypertension in pregnant women occurs when blood pressure rises during the second half of pregnancy (after week 20). This is common among pregnant women who had normal blood pressure before pregnancy.

With a blood pressure reading of 140/90 at 25 weeks of pregnancy, this is considered a HIGH reading. However, you should not worry too much because doctors need to measure blood pressure at each prenatal visit to determine if pregnancy-induced hypertension is present. Additionally, blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day and can be affected by many factors that may cause it to rise.

Furthermore, in almost all cases, hypertension in pregnant women decreases after giving birth. However, if your blood pressure remains at 140/90 or increases, you will need to be monitored closely and treated as necessary to bring your blood pressure back to normal levels.

2. Is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 dangerous for a pregnant woman?

2. Many pregnant women wonder if a blood pressure of 140/90 is dangerous. High blood pressure during pregnancy can prevent the placenta (the source of nutrition and oxygen for the fetus) from receiving enough blood. This reduction in blood flow and nutrients can lead to:

• Low birth weight or restricted growth in the womb.
• Premature birth.
• Stillbirth.
• Induction of labor before the baby reaches term (39 weeks of pregnancy).

Most people with high blood pressure will give birth to healthy babies if this condition is detected early in pregnancy. However, the more severe the condition, the higher the risk of serious complications for both mother and baby.

3. Does a blood pressure reading of 140/90 require treatment for a pregnant woman?

Given the dangerous complications associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension, many people question whether a blood pressure of 140/90 requires treatment. When a pregnant woman has a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher, the doctor will treat this condition in various ways, depending on the severity of the hypertension, the overall health of the mother, and the gestational age. Basic management measures for pregnancy-induced hypertension include:

• Monitoring blood pressure at home.
• Antihypertensive medication.
• Hospitalization for inpatient treatment.

The goal of treatment is to lower blood pressure or prevent the condition from worsening and causing complications. The doctor will also recommend monitoring the condition of the fetus and performing regular tests to check health, including:

• Routine ultrasounds.
• Doppler ultrasound (a type of ultrasound that measures blood flow).
• Non-stress tests (NST).
• Assessing fetal development.
• Counting fetal movements (or counting kicks).

If your doctor feels that the baby may be born early, they may provide steroids to help the baby's lungs mature. These steroids reduce the likelihood that your baby will experience respiratory issues at birth.

A blood pressure reading of 140/90 in a pregnant woman is a concerning condition. In this case, the doctor will closely monitor your blood pressure and check for symptoms of hypertension. This may mean you need to visit for more frequent prenatal check-ups to monitor your blood pressure and test your urine for signs of preeclampsia.

In summary, your blood pressure reading of 140/90 is considered HIGH. In addition to worrying about whether this reading is dangerous, you should attend more frequent prenatal visits or seek care if anything unusual occurs during your pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a condition that can lead to complications for both mother and baby. Therefore, early detection and good control of blood pressure during pregnancy are very important.