, Presented on:
April 19, 2012
I. Introduction
Pregnancy represents one of the great unknowns in life. Everyone’s
at least a little worried about how it will turn out.
- Lawrence Kutner
Pregnancy is a time of physical and psychological preparation for birth and
parenthood. Becoming a parent is considered one of the maturational milestones of
adult life. (Lowdermilk and Perry, 2007 p. 380) Women of all ages use the months of
pregnancy to adapt to the maternal role, a complex process of social and cognitive
learning. Pregnancy is a maturational milestone that can be stressful but also
rewarding as the woman prepares for a new level of caring and responsibility. Her
self - concept changes in readiness for parenthood as she prepares for her new role.
She moves gradually from being self-contained and independent to being
committed to a life long concern for another human being. This event requires
mastery of certain developmental tasks: accepting the pregnancy, identifying with
the role of mother, reordering the relationships between herself and her partner
with the unborn child, and preparing for the birth experience. Some pregnant
women may experience feelings of hostility toward the pregnancy or unborn child
from time to time. Body sensations from a disease such as headache, shortness of
breath, and easy fatigability, feelings of dependence or the realization of the
responsibilities of child care can also generate such feelings.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, previously know as Pregnancy induced
hypertension (PIH), are high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy. It has long been
one of the major problems for mothers in pregnancy, along with infection
,and postpartum hemorrhage. Preeclampsia affects 5-8% of all pregnancies but 10-
20% of mothers will have a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy.
II. Disease Condition
PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYERTENSION
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension is a condition in which vasospasm occurs during
pregnancy in both small and large arteries. Cardinal signs include hypertension,
edema, and proteinuria. The condition was initially called toxemia as physicians
theorized that a toxin was being produced by a woman in response to the foreign
protein in the growing fetus.
The condition is unique to pregnancy and occurs in almost 5% to 7% of all
pregnancies.
There are four different levels of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy:
1. Chronic Hypertension (Discovered prior to 20 weeks gestation.)
2. Gestational Hypertension
3. Preeclampsia/Eclampsia
4. Preeclampsia/Eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension
PIH can be detected early during regular prenatal visits, which is one of the reasons
they are so very important. If you have PIH and it is untreated you may wind up with
a preterm baby, a stillborn baby or a baby who has growth restriction (IUGR), not to
mention the effects on your health.
There are still different opinions on the causes of PIH. There are speculations of
placental involvement, underlying disease, hormonal involvement etc.
If you experience any of the following warning signs, report them to your
practitioner:
, • Rapid weight gain, 4 - 5 lbs in a single week
• A rise in your blood pressure
• Protein in your urine
• Severe headaches
• Blurry vision
• Seeing spots in your eyes
• Severe pain over your stomach, under your ribs
• Decrease in the amount of urine
Not all of these symptoms or signs may be detected by an individual. This is one of
the reasons that it is so important that you keep your regular prenatal
appointments is to screen all women for the above symptoms as well as other signs
of PIH. If you must miss an appointment be sure to reschedule it right away.
There are treatment options for those women suffering from chronic hypertension
or gestational hypertension, including hypertensive medications. Some practitioners
recommend strategies that are dietary, while others involve exercise and rest.
Recently it has been shown that aspirin doesn't help in the treatment for women in
a low risk group but can be helpful for a select high risk group. If you have
preeclampsia, the only cure is delivering the baby. Talk to your practitioner about
which options are best for you because this is critical.
The important thing to remember is that PIH is a very serious illness. You must be
followed closely by your medical professional to help prevent prematurity and death
of your baby and other severe complications in the most severe cases.
Now it is also known that even slight rises in the blood pressure during pregnancy
can have a lasting effect. Women who have PIH or more severe forms are at greater
risk for coronary artery disease later in life.
April 19, 2012
I. Introduction
Pregnancy represents one of the great unknowns in life. Everyone’s
at least a little worried about how it will turn out.
- Lawrence Kutner
Pregnancy is a time of physical and psychological preparation for birth and
parenthood. Becoming a parent is considered one of the maturational milestones of
adult life. (Lowdermilk and Perry, 2007 p. 380) Women of all ages use the months of
pregnancy to adapt to the maternal role, a complex process of social and cognitive
learning. Pregnancy is a maturational milestone that can be stressful but also
rewarding as the woman prepares for a new level of caring and responsibility. Her
self - concept changes in readiness for parenthood as she prepares for her new role.
She moves gradually from being self-contained and independent to being
committed to a life long concern for another human being. This event requires
mastery of certain developmental tasks: accepting the pregnancy, identifying with
the role of mother, reordering the relationships between herself and her partner
with the unborn child, and preparing for the birth experience. Some pregnant
women may experience feelings of hostility toward the pregnancy or unborn child
from time to time. Body sensations from a disease such as headache, shortness of
breath, and easy fatigability, feelings of dependence or the realization of the
responsibilities of child care can also generate such feelings.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, previously know as Pregnancy induced
hypertension (PIH), are high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy. It has long been
one of the major problems for mothers in pregnancy, along with infection
,and postpartum hemorrhage. Preeclampsia affects 5-8% of all pregnancies but 10-
20% of mothers will have a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy.
II. Disease Condition
PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYERTENSION
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension is a condition in which vasospasm occurs during
pregnancy in both small and large arteries. Cardinal signs include hypertension,
edema, and proteinuria. The condition was initially called toxemia as physicians
theorized that a toxin was being produced by a woman in response to the foreign
protein in the growing fetus.
The condition is unique to pregnancy and occurs in almost 5% to 7% of all
pregnancies.
There are four different levels of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy:
1. Chronic Hypertension (Discovered prior to 20 weeks gestation.)
2. Gestational Hypertension
3. Preeclampsia/Eclampsia
4. Preeclampsia/Eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension
PIH can be detected early during regular prenatal visits, which is one of the reasons
they are so very important. If you have PIH and it is untreated you may wind up with
a preterm baby, a stillborn baby or a baby who has growth restriction (IUGR), not to
mention the effects on your health.
There are still different opinions on the causes of PIH. There are speculations of
placental involvement, underlying disease, hormonal involvement etc.
If you experience any of the following warning signs, report them to your
practitioner:
, • Rapid weight gain, 4 - 5 lbs in a single week
• A rise in your blood pressure
• Protein in your urine
• Severe headaches
• Blurry vision
• Seeing spots in your eyes
• Severe pain over your stomach, under your ribs
• Decrease in the amount of urine
Not all of these symptoms or signs may be detected by an individual. This is one of
the reasons that it is so important that you keep your regular prenatal
appointments is to screen all women for the above symptoms as well as other signs
of PIH. If you must miss an appointment be sure to reschedule it right away.
There are treatment options for those women suffering from chronic hypertension
or gestational hypertension, including hypertensive medications. Some practitioners
recommend strategies that are dietary, while others involve exercise and rest.
Recently it has been shown that aspirin doesn't help in the treatment for women in
a low risk group but can be helpful for a select high risk group. If you have
preeclampsia, the only cure is delivering the baby. Talk to your practitioner about
which options are best for you because this is critical.
The important thing to remember is that PIH is a very serious illness. You must be
followed closely by your medical professional to help prevent prematurity and death
of your baby and other severe complications in the most severe cases.
Now it is also known that even slight rises in the blood pressure during pregnancy
can have a lasting effect. Women who have PIH or more severe forms are at greater
risk for coronary artery disease later in life.
