High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia

 
It's important to have the mother's blood pressure checked regularly during pregnancy because 5-10% of pregnant women develop serious high blood pressure during their pregnancy. Known as pregnancy-induced hypertension, or PIH, this condition can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.

If a pregnant woman has PIH, high levels of protein are shown to be in her urine, and fluid retention in her third trimester, then she suffers from the condition known as preeclampsia. This condition occurs mainly in the third trimester and is the reason why many physicians increase prenatal visits during the trimester.

Print this page