Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Can High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Cause Premature Delivery Of The Baby?
Hello... My friend is pregnant and due any day... Tonight she went to hospital and was told her blood pressure was so high she could actually loose her baby... Her first sonogram was on october 27 2010 and it stated GA(LMP) 15w3d? When was her due date? Just asking because I am very worried for her being that she is so young? Can a sonogram be off?
Wed, 7 Oct 2015
Hallow dear Friend,
Let me answer your queries one by one.
The total term of the pregnancy is 40 weeks. If ultrasonography has detected her to be pregnant for 15 weeks, 25 more weeks are yet to go.
Yes, high blood pressure does cause many problems in pregnancy. Due to high blood pressure, there is risk to maternal health as well as life. Too much of high blood pressure may cause seizures in mother endangering the life of mother as well as baby. High blood pressure jeopardizes the blood supply to the vital organs of mother as well as placenta supplying the baby.
This may lead to the retarded growth of the baby, intrauterine death of the baby as well as premature delivery. If Baby is born before 34 weeks, then the baby's lungs are not matured and may fail to expand for breathing after delivery. Therefore, if the premature delivery is anticipated before this period, steroid injections are given to the mother.
Many a times, due to high blood pressure, intrauterine atmosphere becomes hostile for the baby and so to save the baby, premature birth of the baby has to be effected. Most of the times, such babies do not sustain the labour pains; hence caesarean section is indicated.
Such conditions can be assessed by ultrasonography and non-stress test on baby's heart rate - in all five parameters together known as Manning's score.
With all these tests the doctor will take a decision when the delivery is to be instituted.
Let me answer your queries one by one.
The total term of the pregnancy is 40 weeks. If ultrasonography has detected her to be pregnant for 15 weeks, 25 more weeks are yet to go.
Yes, high blood pressure does cause many problems in pregnancy. Due to high blood pressure, there is risk to maternal health as well as life. Too much of high blood pressure may cause seizures in mother endangering the life of mother as well as baby. High blood pressure jeopardizes the blood supply to the vital organs of mother as well as placenta supplying the baby.
This may lead to the retarded growth of the baby, intrauterine death of the baby as well as premature delivery. If Baby is born before 34 weeks, then the baby's lungs are not matured and may fail to expand for breathing after delivery. Therefore, if the premature delivery is anticipated before this period, steroid injections are given to the mother.
Many a times, due to high blood pressure, intrauterine atmosphere becomes hostile for the baby and so to save the baby, premature birth of the baby has to be effected. Most of the times, such babies do not sustain the labour pains; hence caesarean section is indicated.
Such conditions can be assessed by ultrasonography and non-stress test on baby's heart rate - in all five parameters together known as Manning's score.
With all these tests the doctor will take a decision when the delivery is to be instituted.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....