Normal Blood Pressure
Changes During Pregnancy In the third trimester, blood pressure usually rises to approximately pre-pregnancy levels. Elevations significantly higher than that are considered abnormal. Hypertension The diastolic pressure elevation is probably the more important of the two and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during the second or third trimester are used by some to assess risk. Conceptually, the MAP is one-third the distance from the diastolic pressure to the systolic pressure. This can be expressed mathematically as: MAP = ((2 x diastolic) + (systolic))/3 During the second trimester, if the average of all MAPs ≥ 90, there is a significant increased risk for perinatal mortality, morbidity and impaired fetal growth dynamics. During the 3rd trimester, MAP ≥ 105 indicates and increased risk Women with pre-existing hypertension face increased risks during pregnancy for diminished uterine blood flow, pre-eclampsia, and if uncontrolled, maternal stroke. For these reasons, it is important that those with pre-existing hypertension be appropriately treated and followed during pregnancy.
Toxemia of
Pregnancy
Ordinarily, blood pressure decreases during the middle trimester, compared to pre-pregnancy levels. After the middle trimester, blood pressure tends to rise back to the pre-pregnancy levels. Sometimes, blood pressure becomes elevated. Sustained blood pressures exceeding 140/90 are considered abnormal and may indicate the presence of toxemia of pregnancy. For women with pre-existing hypertension, a sustained worsening of their hypertension over pre-pregnancy levels by 30 systolic and 15 diastolic is often used to indicate the possible presence of super-imposed toxemia. Diagnosis Pregnant women can normally lose up to 200 mg of protein in the urine in 24 hours. If protein loss exceeds 300 mg in 24 hours, this is considered proteinuria. Urine dipstick analysis for protein measures only a single point in time and does not necessarily reflect protein loss over 24 hours. Nonetheless, assuming average urine production of about a liter a day, and consistent loss throughout the 24 hour period*:
Some but not all women with toxemia demonstrate fluid retention (as evidenced by edema or sudden weight gain exceeding 2 pounds per week). Some but not all women with toxemia will demonstrate increased reflexes (clonus). Most women toxemia of pregnancy have no symptoms. Among the few with symptoms are such findings as:
The cause or causes are not known. Some common associations are first pregnancies, pre-existing hypertension, hydatidiform mole, and those conditions which lead to overdistension of the uterus, such as polyhydramnios and multiple gestation. Physiologically, women with this condition demonstrate peripheral vascular spasm, leading to injury of the capillary walls and leakage of intravascular fluids into the extracellular spaces. Due to the modestly impaired kidney function that accompanies this condition, serum creatinine levels are usually modestly increased (>1.0 mg%). Hemoconcentration results in a modest increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit. Both contribute to an elevation of BUN, usually >12 mg%. Uric acid is typically >5.5 mg% due to increased production in association with peripheral vascular sluggishness.
Consequences
Fortunately, most cases of toxemia of pregnancy are mild, and most of the more severe forms are successfully treated (delivered) before the serious consequences can unfold. In some severe cases, even early diagnosis and treatment will prove unsuccessful in avoiding the more serious consequences. Pre-eclampsia The clinical course of pre-eclampsia is variable. Some women demonstrate a mild, stable course of the disease, with modest elevations of blood pressure and no other symptoms (mild pre-eclampsia). Others display a more aggressive disease, with deterioration of both maternal and fetal condition (severe pre-eclampsia). Some of the points of differentiation are listed here. Notice that there is no "moderate" pre-eclampsia, only mild and severe.
The definitive treatment of pre-eclampsia is delivery. The urgency of delivery depends on the gestational age and the severity of the disease.
Severe pre-eclampsia usually requires urgent delivery (within hours) more or less regardless of gestational age. In this situation, the risk of serious complications (placental abruption, growth restriction, liver failure, renal failure, hemorrhage, coagulopathy, seizures, death) will generally take precedence over the fetal benefit of prolonging the pregnancy. Induction of labor is preferred, unless the maternal condition is so tenuous and the cervix so unfavorable that cesarean section is warranted. In milder cases, particularly if remote from term or with an unfavorable cervix, treatment may range from hospitalization with close observation to initial stabilization followed by induction of labor following preparation of the cervix over the course of several days. In the most mild, selected cases, outpatient management might be considered with careful monitoring of maternal and fetal condition. Traditionally, magnesium sulfate(MgSO4) has been used to treat pre-eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate, in high enough doses, is a reasonably effective anti-convulsant, mild anti-hypertensive and mild diuretic. While other agents may be more potent in each of these individual areas, none combines all three of these features into a single drug. The world's experience with magnesium sulfate to treat pre-eclampsia is extensive and these unique features provide considerable reassurance in employing it in these clinical settings. Magnesium sulfate is given IM, IV or both. All are effective reasonably effective in preventing seizures. Because the risk of eclampsia continues after delivery, MgSO4 is frequently continued for 24 to 48 hours after delivery.
The patellar reflexes (knee-jerk) disappear as magnesium levels rise above 10 meq/L. Periodic checking of the patellar reflexes and withholding MgSO4 if reflexes are absent will usually keep your patient away from respiratory arrest. This is particularly important if renal function is impaired (as it often is in severe pre-eclampsia) since magnesium is cleared entirely by the kidneys. In the case of respiratory arrest or severe respiratory depression, the effects of MgSO4 can be reversed by the administration of calcium.
If BP is persistently greater than 160/110, administer an antihypertensive agent to lower the BP to levels closer to 140/90. One commonly-used agent for this purpose is:
Eclampsia These tonic/clonic episodes last for several minutes and may result in bite lacerations of the tongue. During the convulsion, maternal respirations stop and the patient turns blue because of the desaturated hemoglobin in her bloodstream. As the attack ends, she gradually resumes breathing and her color returns. Typically, she will remain comatose for varying lengths of time. If convulsions are frequent, she will remain comatose throughout. If infrequent, she may become arousable between attacks. If untreated, convulsions may become more frequent, followed by maternal death. In more favorable circumstances, recovery occurs. Eclampsia should be aggressively treated with magnesium sulfate (described above), followed by prompt delivery, often requiring a cesarean section. If convulsions persist despite MgSO4, consider:
The HELLP Syndrome is characterized by:
This serious condition is associated with severe pre-eclampsia and the treatment is similar...delivery with prophylaxis against maternal seizures. Unlike pre-eclampsia, patients with HELLP syndrome may continue to experience clinical problems for days to weeks or even months. If the HELLP syndrome is mild, it may gradually resolve spontaneously, but more severe forms often require intensive, prolonged care to achieve a favorable outcome. |
OB-GYN 101: Introductory
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