Types of Hypertension in Pregnancy and the Differences

During pregnancy, various complications can occur. Some of them come from complications that can occur often with hypertension or high blood pressure. If left unchecked, hypertension in pregnancy can be considered dangerous for pregnant women and their fetuses.

The complications of pregnancy related to hypertension, namely gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. All three are often recognized as similar because they are intertwined with high blood pressure. However, actually the next three things must be different.

Hypertension in pregnancy: Differences in gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia

To describe the basic differences between gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia, see the following points:

1. Gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension is a condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy. This can result in a condition truly called preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension can affect 6-8% of pregnant women. This condition generally occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and disappears after delivery.

About 6 weeks postpartum, this condition can be reset to normal. However, unless you have high blood pressure, which is 140/90 mmHg before during pregnancy or towards the beginning of pregnancy, then you can consistently experience it even after giving birth.

Some aspects of the risk come from gestational hypertension that can happen to you, namely the first pregnancy, twin pregnancy, overweight or obesity before pregnancy, aged 40 years and over while pregnant, and have a history of hypertension or preeclampsia of previous pregnancies.

Gestational hypertension can result in the placenta not getting enough blood so that the baby is deprived of oxygen. In dealing with gestational hypertension, there are blood pressure-lowering drugs that can be used. It's a good idea to check your doctor forever to monitor your blood pressure during pregnancy.

2. Preeclampsia
In severe problems, gestational hypertension can result in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure towards pregnant women. In addition, this condition is considered to result in high protein levels in the urine. Preeclampsia is generally seen late in pregnancy, but can also occur earlier or develop after delivery.

The exact cause of preeclampsia is unknown, but there are various assumptions regarding the cause, such as the placenta that is not functioning properly, poor nutrition, high body fat, or genetic.

Meanwhile, risk aspects for preeclampsia include first pregnancy, pregnancy to the age of adolescents or over 40 years, having a history of preeclampsia to previous pregnancies, having a mother or sister who has had preeclampsia, and having a history of diabetes, kidney, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Meanwhile, the symptoms originating from preeclampsia are weight gain rapidly, abdominal pain, severe headaches, decreased or no urine, blurred vision, dizziness, and also nausea and vomiting. Preeclampsia is definitely at risk because it can prevent the placenta from receiving lots of blood so that the fetus lacks oxygen and nutrients. In addition, countless mothers can experience eclampsia and various other problems.

The only way to treat preeclampsia is to start labor early for the safety of you and your baby. Your doctor can consider the right time to give birth to your baby, your baby's condition in the womb, and how severe preeclampsia you are experiencing.

3. Eclampsia

Although rare, preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia unless it's already affecting your brain. Eclampsia is a severe complication originating from preeclampsia. This is not only marked by high blood pressure, but counted seizures, coma, or even more death for pregnant women.

Even if you don't have a history of seizures, you can experience it unless you have eclampsia. Symptoms stem from eclampsia, which is convulsions, loss of consciousness, and severe anxiety. Eclampsia can be accompanied by symptoms of preeclampsia or not. Because of that, you must be careful and often exercise pregnancy control.

If you have or are experiencing preeclampsia, you are at risk of developing eclampsia. Similar to preeclampsia, eclampsia can affect the placenta so that the baby is born with a low weight, premature, or stillbirth.

Not only that, countless mothers can experience various complications, such as strokes, cardiac arrest, liver disease, especially death. As mentioned earlier, treatment for eclampsia and preeclampsia is labor. Meanwhile, you may need to take drugs to prevent seizures, which are anticonvulsant drugs and blood pressure-lowering drugs.

From these points, then you are able to know that all three are actually about together with hypertension in pregnancy. Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that is able to run towards the time of pregnancy.

Meanwhile, preeclampsia is a complication due to gestational hypertension. And, eclampsia is an atmosphere that runs due to the development of preeclampsia. It is very important for you to carry out routine pregnancy checks, and consult a doctor about the signs that you feel in pregnancy to prevent these three things from happening.