Hypertension and Toxemia Gravidarum

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Pregnancy Induced Hypertension or Pre-eclampsia

What is Toxemia?

Toxemia gravidarum or Preeclampsia or Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH)or we may just call it Toxemia is one of the pregnancy complication indicated by ahypertension

Causa

The exact cause of Toxemia remains unknown

Risk predisposition

Conditions that may increase the risk for suffering toxemia are:
A first time mom
A medical history of sisters and or mothers having toxemia
Women with multiple pregnancy, teenage mothers or mothers over 40 years old.
Women with high blood pressure or kidney disease prior to pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms

Mild Toxemia:
Hypertension, water retention which is indicated by swelling and abnormal increase in body weight and proteinuria, the excretion of protein through the urine

Severe Toxemia
Aside from the three signs mentioned above, other symptoms that may appear include: headache, blurred vision, sensitive to bright light, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, oligouria or infrequent and small amount of urination, pain in upper right part of abdomen, shortness of breath, and tendency to bruise easily. Immediately contact your physician if you experience the above symptoms, especially blurred vision, severe headache, abdominal pain and oligouria.

Diagnosis

Toxemia can be detected during a routine prenatal check up by a doctor or health care provider who may check your blood pressure and urine levels. Other tests to back up findings are: kidney function test, blood clotting function test, USG to check your baby’s growth and a Doppler scan to measure blood flow efficiency to the placenta.

Treatment

The course of treatment depends on how close the mother is to the expected labor date. If she is close and the baby is well developed, the doctor may suggest to deliver the baby as soon as possible.

In the case of mild toxemia and the baby has not reached full development yet, the doctor may probably suggest to do the followings:
Bed rest with lying position on the left to avoid baby’s weight pressuring the major blood vessels in the abdominal and pelvic area.
Prenatal checkups more often
Low salt intake
Drink 8 glasses of water per day
Treatment of high blood pressure with the doctor’s prescription until blood pressure is adequate to deliver safely.

Prevention

Until this moment there is no exact way to prevent toxemia. However, try to eliminate or avoid factors contributing to high blood pressure and at the same time try to keep the body healthy and fit.

Your doctor may provide you with a dietary and exercise program. The following may be suggested:
Low salt intake
Drink 8 glasses of water per day
Avoid junk and fried food
Avoid alcohol and caffeine drinks
Get enough exercise
Get enough rest
Elevate your legs several times a day

Affect of Toxemia to the Baby

Toxemia causes insufficient blood flow to the placenta. This may lead to low birth weight, since the baby has not receive enough blood and food required for a healthy development. If toxemia is diagnosed in its early stage by routine prenatal care, most women can still deliver a normal healthy baby.