What is Hypertension and What Causes It?
Hypertension during pregnancy results when the systolic blood pressure rises 30 or more points and the diastolic blood pressure rises 15 or more points from normal readings during pregnancy. Doctors aren’t sure the exact causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy. Whose At Risk? Certain mothers are more at risk than others for high blood pressure problems during pregnancy. Mom’s at risk include: • Young mothers under the age of 17 or older mothers aged 35 and above during their first pregnancy. • Mothers with a history of high blood pressure or family history of hypertension. • Women who are carrying more than one baby. • Women who are overweight or smoke, whether before or during their pregnancy. • Women who lack adequate nutrition or prenatal care during pregnancy. • Women with health problems complicating a pregnancy, including heart disease, diabetes or circulatory problems. Most women who will develop hypertension during pregnancy will not do so until after the 24th week of pr
