Hypertension in Pregnancy

Question 1

What drug should women take who are thought to be at risk of pre eclampsia in pregnancy?

Answer 1

Aspirin

Question 2

Describe how blood pressure changes in pregnancy?

Answer 2

• Falls in first trimester (particularly diastolic) and continues to fall until 20/24 weeks.
• After this time the blood pressure starts to increase.

Question 3

What is hypertension in pregnancy defined as?

Answer 3

Systolic over 140
Diastolic over 90
(or increase above booking readings of 30 systolic or 15 diastolic)