Bp during pregnancy

Normal blood pressure in pregnancy: Levels and management

During pregnancy, a person’s blood pressure should stay within the normal range. Very high or low blood pressure requires medical attention.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a healthy person should have a blood pressure reading of less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm HG).

The top number, or systolic, measures blood pressure when the heart contracts. The lower number, or diastolic, measures the blood pressure when the heart is between beats.

Keep reading for more information on blood pressure during pregnancy and steps a pregnant woman can take to keep their blood pressure under control.

Share on PinterestA pregnant woman should monitor their blood pressure during pregnancy to ensure it stays within the normal range.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) state that a pregnant woman’s blood pressure should also be within the healthy range of less than 120/80 mm Hg.

If blood pressure readings are higher, a pregnant woman may have elevated or high blood pressure. If high blood pressure occurs during pregnancy, it may indicate serious complications such as preeclampsia.

It is important to track and manage blood pressure throughout pregnancy.

Blood pressure is the amount of pressure the blood places against the blood vessels walls with each heartbeat. A person can experience elevated or high blood pressure, or hypertension, during pregnancy. This is when the blood puts more pressure than normal against the artery walls.

According to the AHA, people living with untreated high blood pressure are at a greater risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or other health issues, such as kidney disease.

During pregnancy, high blood pressure is also known as gestational hypertension. Gestational hypertension occurs if the woman’s blood pressure is within the normal range for the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and then increases to 140/90 mm Hg or higher during the second half of the pregnancy.

Risk factors

Experts do not know the exact cause of gestational hypertension, but according to Cedars-Sinai, potential risk factors include:

having kidney disease
being younger than 20 or older than 40
being of African American descent
having diabetes
having a history of high blood pressure
having multiple pregnancies

In most cases, hypertension goes away after delivery.

Complications

ACOG indicate that gestational hypertension can cause complications or increase the risk of complications, such as:

preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy typically occur after the 20th week of pregnancy and can lead to problems with the liver, kidney, or other organs
preterm delivery.
fetal growth restriction, which is a condition in which a lack of nutrients and oxygen can lead to lower birth weight
cesarean delivery
placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus
stillbirth

Women who have high blood pressure before pregnancy should talk to their doctor or midwife. Their provider will likely closely monitor them and the fetus to make sure they are safe during the pregnancy.

Symptoms

In some cases, high blood pressure during pregnancy may not cause any symptoms.

If high blood pressure occurs as a result of preeclampsia, common symptoms include:

swelling, especially in the hands or face
a headache that does not go away with medication
rapid weight gain
only able to make small amounts of urine
visual disturbances
vomiting or nausea that begins or worsens after the 20th week of pregnancy
changes in vision
pain near the stomach or on the upper right side of the abdomen

Learn more about high blood pressure during pregnancy.

The AHA identify the first 24 weeks of pregnancy as a risk factor for developing low blood pressure. It can cause symptoms such as:

dizziness
fainting
blurred vision
inability to concentrate
cold or clammy skin
rapid breathing
fatigue
dehydration

For most adults, healthy blood pressure is usually less than 120/80 mm Hg. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when the blood pressure drops below 90/60 mm Hg.

Some people have a naturally low blood pressure, but a sudden drop can cause symptoms to develop.

Learn more about low blood pressure during pregnancy here.

Any pregnant woman who has any concerns over their health or the developing fetus should talk to or see their doctor or midwife.

People who have high blood pressure or are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure might want to monitor their blood pressure at home.

A healthcare provider can likely recommend the best blood pressure cuffs to use.

If home monitoring indicates that blood pressure is too high or too low, contact a healthcare provider.

Any pregnant woman who experiences signs or symptoms of preeclampsia must seek immediate medical assistance.

Learn more about preeclampsia here.

There are several ways for a pregnant woman to manage blood pressure safely.

According to March of Dimes, a person can take the following steps:

take approved blood pressure medication daily
monitor blood pressure at home
eat foods rich in nutrients and avoid salt, processed foods, and added sugars
go to all medical checkups
avoid drinking, smoking, and recreational drug use
stay active through walking or other exercises unless otherwise instructed

Women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy should follow all instructions from their healthcare provider. They should notify their doctor or midwife if they have any changes in their blood pressure or feelings.

It is not always possible to prevent high blood pressure, but a person can take steps to keep their blood pressure at normal levels before and during pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a person take the following measures to prevent high blood pressure:

talking to a healthcare provider before pregnancy about any existing health problems and medications
getting regular and early prenatal care
making sure all medications are safe to continue during pregnancy
eating healthful foods
exercising regularly

If a pregnant woman shows signs of low blood pressure, they should talk to their provider about the best course of action.

General treatment options for a person with low blood pressure include:

increasing the amount of sodium in the diet
increasing fluids
maintaining light to moderate exercise
standing from a sitting or lying position slowly
avoiding alcohol

A pregnant woman should maintain their normal blood pressure throughout pregnancy.

Women with previous high blood pressure, multiples, or other risk factors have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure in later pregnancy.

High blood pressure during pregnancy has associations with serious pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders.

If blood pressure gets too high or low, a person should talk to their healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment.

Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels called arteries. The arteries bring blood from the heart to your lungs, where it picks up oxygen and then moves to your organs and tissues. The organs and tissues use the oxygen to power their activities. Blood vessels called veins return the blood to the heart.
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can lead to health problems at any time in life. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. During pregnancy, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause problems for you and your fetus.
Some women have high blood pressure before they get pregnant. Others develop it for the first time during pregnancy. A serious high blood pressure disorder called preeclampsia can also happen during pregnancy or soon after childbirth.
A blood pressure reading has two numbers separated by a slash. A blood pressure reading of 110/80 mm Hg, for example, is referred to as “110 over 80.” The first number is the pressure against the artery walls when the heart contracts. This is called the systolic blood pressure. The second number is the pressure against the artery walls when the heart relaxes between contractions. This is called the diastolic blood pressure.
- Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg
- Elevated: Systolic between 120 and 129 mm Hg and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130 and 139 mm Hg or diastolic between 80 and 89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic at least 140 mm Hg or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg
Your obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) should check your blood pressure at each prenatal care visit. Blood pressure changes often during the day. If you have one high reading, another reading may be taken later during your office visit.

Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure that a woman has before getting pregnant or that develops in the first half of pregnancy (before 20 weeks of pregnancy). If you were taking blood pressure medication before you got pregnant—even if your blood pressure is currently normal—you have been diagnosed with chronic hypertension.
When you are pregnant, your body makes more blood to support the fetus’s growth. If blood pressure goes up during pregnancy, it can place extra stress on your heart and kidneys. This can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. High blood pressure during pregnancy also increases the risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, placental abruption, and cesarean birth.
High blood pressure may reduce blood flow to the placenta. As a result, the fetus may not get enough of the nutrients and oxygen needed to grow.
In the first half of pregnancy, blood pressure normally goes down. If your hypertension is mild, your blood pressure may stay that way or even return to normal during pregnancy. But if your blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or higher, your ob-gyn may recommend that you start or continue taking blood pressure medication during pregnancy.
Your blood pressure should be checked at every prenatal care visit. You may also need to monitor your blood pressure at home. Ultrasound exams may be done throughout pregnancy to track the growth of the fetus. If growth problems are suspected, you may have other tests that monitor the health of the fetus. This testing usually begins in the third trimester of pregnancy.
If your condition remains stable, delivery 1 to 3 weeks before your due date (about 37 weeks to 39 weeks of pregnancy) generally is recommended. If you or the fetus develop complications, delivery may be needed even earlier.
After delivery, you will need to keep monitoring your blood pressure at home for 1 to 2 weeks. Blood pressure often goes up in the weeks after childbirth. You may need to resume taking medication, or your medication dosage may need to be adjusted.
Talk with your ob-gyn about blood pressure medications that are safe to take if you plan to breastfeed. Do not stop any medications without talking with your ob-gyn.

You have gestational hypertension when:
- You have a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
- The high blood pressure first happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- You had normal blood pressure before pregnancy.
Most women with gestational hypertension have only a small increase in blood pressure. But some women develop severe hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg or higher). These women are at risk of very serious complications.
All women with gestational hypertension are monitored often (usually weekly) for signs of preeclampsia and to make sure that their blood pressure does not go too high.
Although gestational hypertension usually goes away after childbirth, it may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure in the future. If you had gestational hypertension, keep this risk in mind as you take care of your health. Healthy eating, weight loss, and regular exercise may help prevent high blood pressure in the future.

Preeclampsia is a serious disorder that can affect all the organs in your body. It usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often in the third trimester. When it develops before 34 weeks of pregnancy, it is called early-onset preeclampsia. It can also develop in the weeks after childbirth.
It is not clear why some women develop preeclampsia. Doctors refer to "high risk" and "moderate risk" of preeclampsia.
Factors that may put you in the “high risk” category include
- preeclampsia in a past pregnancy
- carrying more than one fetus (twins, triplets, or more)
- chronic hypertension
- kidney disease
- diabetes mellitus
- autoimmune conditions, such as lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE)
- having multiple moderate risk factors (see below)
Factors that may put you in the “moderate risk” category include
- being pregnant for the first time
- being pregnant more than 10 years after your previous pregnancy
- body mass index (BMI) over 30
- family history of preeclampsia (mother or sister)
- being age 35 or older
- complications in previous pregnancies, such as having a baby with a low birth weight
- in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Black race (because of racism and inequities that increase risk of illness)
- lower income (because of inequities that increase risk of illness)
- Preeclampsia can lead to a condition that causes seizures and stroke.
- Preeclampsia can cause HELLP syndrome. HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. HELLP syndrome damages or destroys red blood cells and interferes with blood clotting. It can also cause chest pain, abdominal pain, and bleeding in the liver. HELLP syndrome is a medical emergency. Women can die from HELLP syndrome. They can also have lifelong health problems from the condition.
For women with preeclampsia, early delivery may be needed in some cases. Preterm babies have an increased risk of problems with breathing, eating, staying warm, hearing, and vision. Some preterm complications last a lifetime and require ongoing medical care.
Women who have had preeclampsia—especially those whose babies were born preterm—have an increased risk later in life of kidney disease, heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. Also, having preeclampsia once increases the risk of having it again in a future pregnancy.
Preeclampsia can develop quietly without you being aware of it. Symptoms can include
- swelling of face or hands
- headache that will not go away
- seeing spots or changes in eyesight
- pain in the upper abdomen or shoulder
- nausea and vomiting (in the second half of pregnancy)
- sudden weight gain
- difficulty breathing
If you have any of these symptoms, especially if they develop in the second half of pregnancy, call your ob-gyn right away.
A woman with preeclampsia whose condition is worsening will develop “severe features.” Severe features include
- low number of platelets in the blood
- abnormal kidney or liver function
- pain in the upper abdomen
- changes in vision
- fluid in the lungs
- severe headache
- systolic pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher or diastolic pressure of 110 mm Hg or higher
A high blood pressure reading may be the first sign of preeclampsia. If your blood pressure reading is high, it may be checked again to confirm the results. You may have a urine test to check for protein. You may also have tests to check how your liver and kidneys are working and to measure the number of platelets in your blood.
You and your ob-gyn should talk about how your condition will be managed. The goal is to limit complications for you and to deliver the healthiest baby possible.
Women who have gestational hypertension or preeclampsia without severe features may be treated in a hospital or as an outpatient. Being an outpatient means you can stay at home with close monitoring by your ob-gyn. You may need to keep track of your fetus’s movement by doing a daily kick count. You may also need to measure your blood pressure at home. Visits to your ob-gyn may be once or twice a week.
At 37 weeks of pregnancy, you and your ob-gyn may talk about delivery. Labor may be induced (started with medications). If test results show that the fetus is not doing well, you may need to have the baby earlier. Women with preeclampsia can have vaginal deliveries, but if there are problems during labor, cesarean birth may be needed.
If you have preeclampsia with severe features, you may be treated in the hospital. If you are at least 34 weeks pregnant, you and your ob-gyn may talk about having your baby as soon as your condition is stable.
If you are less than 34 weeks pregnant and your condition is stable, it may be possible to wait to deliver your baby. Delaying delivery for just a few days may be helpful in some cases. It allows time to give corticosteroids, which can help the fetus’s lungs mature. Delaying can also give you time to take medications to reduce your blood pressure and help prevent seizures. If your health or the fetus’s health worsens, you and your ob-gyn should discuss immediate delivery.
Read Preterm Labor and Birth or Extremely Preterm Birth to learn more.
Prevention involves identifying whether you have risk factors for preeclampsia and taking steps to address them.
Low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of preeclampsia in some women. Your ob-gyn may recommend that you take low-dose aspirin if
Low-dose aspirin may also be considered if you are Black or if you have a low income, even if you have no other risk factors.
Talk with your ob-gyn about whether you should take aspirin. Do not start taking aspirin on your own without talking with your ob-gyn.
If you have high blood pressure and want to get pregnant, see your ob-gyn for a check-up. Your ob-gyn will want to know if your high blood pressure is under control and if it has affected your health.
You may have tests to check how your heart and kidneys are working. Your medications should be reviewed to see if you need to switch to others that are safer during pregnancy. You should also talk about the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia.
Arteries: Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Body Mass Index (BMI): A number calculated from height and weight. BMI is used to determine whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
Cesarean Birth: Birth of a fetus from the uterus through an incision (cut) made in the woman’s abdomen.
Chronic Hypertension: Blood pressure that is higher than normal for a person’s age, sex, and physical condition.
Complications: Diseases or conditions that happen as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that occurs as a result of the flu. A complication also can occur as a result of a condition, such as pregnancy. An example of a pregnancy complication is preterm labor.
Corticosteroids: Drugs given for arthritis or other medical conditions. These drugs also are given to help fetal lungs mature before birth.
Diabetes Mellitus: A condition in which the levels of sugar in the blood are too high.
Diastolic Blood Pressure: The force of the blood in the arteries when the heart is relaxed. It is the lower reading when blood pressure is taken.
Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.
Gestational Hypertension: High blood pressure that is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
HELLP Syndrome: A severe type of preeclampsia. HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure above the normal level. Also called hypertension.
Hypertension: High blood pressure.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A procedure in which an egg is removed from a woman’s ovary, fertilized in a laboratory with the man’s sperm, and then transferred to the woman’s uterus to achieve a pregnancy.
Kick Count: A record kept during late pregnancy of the number of times a fetus moves over a certain period.
Kidneys: Organs that filter the blood to remove waste that becomes urine.
Lupus: An autoimmune disorder that affects the connective tissues in the body. The disorder can cause arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, blood disorders, and complications during pregnancy. Also called systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE.
Nutrients: Nourishing substances found in food, such as vitamins and minerals.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with special training and education in women’s health.
Oxygen: An element that we breathe in to sustain life.
Placenta: An organ that provides nutrients to and takes waste away from the fetus.
Placental Abruption: A condition in which the placenta has begun to separate from the uterus before the fetus is born.
Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth in which there is high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury. These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain in the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, or a severe headache or changes in vision.
Prenatal Care: A program of care for a pregnant woman before the birth of her baby.
Preterm: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Stroke: A sudden interruption of blood flow to all or part of the brain, caused by blockage or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. A stroke often results in loss of consciousness and temporary or permanent paralysis.
Systolic Blood Pressure: The force of the blood in the arteries when the heart is contracting. It is the higher reading when blood pressure is taken.
Trimester: A 3-month time in pregnancy. It can be first, second, or third.
Ultrasound Exams: Tests in which sound waves are used to examine inner parts of the body. During pregnancy, ultrasound can be used to check the fetus.
Veins: Blood vessels that carry blood from various parts of the body back to the heart.

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FAQ034
Last updated: April 2022
Last reviewed: April 2022

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.

Instant noodles, composition, harm, contraindications

Instant noodles have not lost their popularity over the years. The dish requires a minimum of culinary skills and is often sold already in ready-made containers - an individual box, which makes cooking even easier and more convenient. Due to the mass of undeniable advantages, people willingly take crispy briquettes on a trip, trip, to work or study. However, since the appearance of this product, there has been heated debate about how harmful it is. nine0003

Is it possible to eat instant noodles - product composition

Harm of instant noodles for the body

What is dangerous instant noodles

To understand whether instant noodles are dangerous to health, you need to thoroughly understand its composition and other nuances.

Is it possible to eat instant noodles - the composition of the product

Curly briquettes are pasta. The cooking process is similar to horns or spaghetti - you need to pour boiling water and wait a few minutes. nine0003

Most manufacturers of "fast" vermicelli add monosodium glutamate to it. This component is used in medicine for the treatment of a number of neurological diseases. Therefore, its reception should be agreed with the attending physician. Uncontrolled use of monosodium glutamate is fraught with health problems.

In addition, flavorings are present in the seasoning powder that is attached to the noodles. That is why it smells so appetizing of meat, chicken, mushrooms or cheese. Often these components are chemicals that are harmful to the body. nine0003

Instant vermicelli also contains vegetable fat. In order to save money, traditional and relatively harmless vegetable oil is replaced with palm oil. However, most manufacturers prefer to delicately keep silent about this point.

Thus, the harm from instant noodles is obvious, because the product is literally crammed with chemicals (taste and odor enhancers), as well as fats of dubious quality and origin.

Before you take another block of instant noodles in the store, you need to carefully study the composition on the package. Sometimes this is enough to put the box back on the shelf. nine0003

Harm of instant noodles for the body

The product has only two advantages: quick and convenient preparation, as well as good taste. There are many more cons.

As mentioned above, the composition of "quick" noodles includes monosodium glutamate, which can cause the following negative processes in the body:

Fluid delay. This leads to swelling and a persistent increase in blood pressure; nine0040
Addictive. The product contains substances that cause addiction in humans. As a result, the hand reaches for the next pack of noodles;
Violation of the stomach. Together with flavorings and seasonings, monosodium glutamate can provoke gastritis or an ulcer;
Severe allergic reactions and in sensitive people - up to death.

Instant vermicelli of any of the brands on the market is categorically not recommended for the following categories of people: nine0003

pregnant women;
elderly people;
citizens suffering from nervous disorders or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

If there is no choice, you can brew a briquette without adding the spices that come with it to the bowl.

Instant noodles have low nutritional value, so they satisfy hunger only for a short time. The benefits of such a product are much less than from traditional pasta, since there are no vitamins and proteins in the composition, there are only carbohydrates. It is much more useful to eat an apple or banana, a handful of nuts, cereal cookies for a snack. nine0003

What is the danger of instant noodles

If a person rarely uses the product, there will be no particular harm to the body (if there is no allergy to any component in the composition). Daily inclusion of instant noodles in the diet is fraught with the following health problems:

Allergy. In some cases, the situation can reach Quincke's edema. If nothing is done, the person will suffocate and die. It is not difficult to recognize the reaction to noodles: if itchy red spots appear on the body after eating, this is 100% allergy. The victim should be given adsorbents, and after 20-30 minutes - antihistamines. If the condition has not improved, you must call the doctors or go to the nearest hospital; nine0040
Acute gastritis progressing to gastric ulcer;
Digestive disorders with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea;
Malfunctions of the cardiovascular system;
Hypertension;
Renal failure.

If a person constantly snacks on "quick" noodles, the body begins to feel a lack of vitamins and minerals. This affects not only health, but also appearance. Hair loses its luster, nails break and exfoliate, the skin acquires a grayish tint. nine0003

Summing up, we can say that instant noodles are sold in all grocery stores. The democratic price only adds to its popularity. If a person eats a package of Rolton or Doshirak once a month, nothing bad will happen, but with constant eating, health problems are guaranteed. In addition, the frequent use of the product is addictive and addictive. It turns out a vicious circle.

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Can pregnant women eat instant noodles? This is the doctor's answer!

Questions to the expert0

Now you know the whole truth!

Many people love fast food because of its fast and compact nature. But instant noodles are not recommended to be consumed frequently.

Here are the two main reasons why doctors advise pregnant women not to eat instant noodles:

Too much salt in instant noodles

A serving of instant noodles gives you 861 mg of sodium, while a single package of instant noodles provides about 1722 mg. While experts actually recommend that people limit their sodium intake to between 1,500 and 2,300 milligrams per day, one package of noodles makes up nearly a day's worth of sodium. Excessive salt intake can lead to high blood pressure.

When you are pregnant, you need to be very careful with your blood pressure because hypertension can lead to many health complications. Pregnant women need special precautions with the risk of preeclampsia as it can have serious health consequences for both the baby and the mother. nine0003

Researchers have shown that reducing the amount of salt in your diet can help reduce high blood pressure. Another study even showed that over the long term, limiting high salt intake reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30%. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid eating too much salt, especially high-sodium foods such as instant noodles.

Instant noodles contain synthetic chemicals such as preservatives and coloring products

Many chemicals, such as preservatives and food coloring, are often added to pre-processed foods. There are many studies showing health risks caused by such supplements. When a woman is pregnant, some supplements, if consumed in large amounts, can seriously affect the health of a developing baby—even the fetal brain. nine0003

In addition, instant noodles take longer to digest in the body. This is because it contains a wax and a preservative called TBHQ - it takes about 4-5 days to fully absorb. Delayed digestion can affect your digestive system - naturally prone to hormones during pregnancy.

What did the doctor say about pregnant women who eat instant noodles?

Dr.