Why should I take the test?💡 

Your blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure that your blood puts against the walls of the blood vessels. High blood pressure suggests threatening complications such as pre-eclampsia, kidney disease, diabetes or chronic hypertension. 

High blood pressure can also prevent blood from flowing to the placenta. Placenta abruption, premature birth, gestational diabetes or birth defects may occur if your baby doesn't get enough nutrients or oxygen. Therefore, you should check your blood pressure regularly so that high blood pressure is picked up and immediately treated.

How is the test done?💉   

If you use an upper arm monitor, always measure your blood pressure using the same arm. Fit the cuff onto your bare arm, sit straight with your back supported, both feet flat on the ground. 

Make sure that the machine is on a flat surface. Rest your arm on a table or across the lab with your palm facing upward and slightly open. Press the 'Start' button and the cuff starts tightening around your arm. Done! Get your blood pressure result.

TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:

Results on the monitor

Your blood pressure is recorded in two numbers. The top one is called systolic, the pressure when the heart is pumping. Diastolic is the bottom number indicating the pressure in between each beat.

When you're pregnant, your blood pressure is considered higher than normal. It usually disappears after your baby is born. When systolic is 140 or more, diastolic is 90 or more, it means you have hypertension.

Treatments for high blood pressure

If you have chronic hypertension, you need to have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure it returns to safe levels during pregnancy. It's important to quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and especially gain weight healthily. 

Pre-eclampsia is one of the complications that may arise due to high blood pressure. It can be managed with medication and close monitoring of both you and the baby. If the situation gets worse, you have to go to emergency and have your baby delivered early.