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Pregnancy Handouts |  | | By Millcreek Women's Center |
Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
What is PIH?
¨ Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a high blood pressure disorder of pregnancy.
There are three different PIH levels
¨ High blood pressure alone.
¨ High blood pressure and protein in urine and/or swelling.
¨ High blood pressure, protein in urine and swelling of other organs.
What are the warning signs of PIH?
¨ Severe headaches which do not resolve with Tylenol.
¨ Constant blurred vision or flashes of light in your vision.
¨ Constant severe right sided pain under your ribs with severe nausea.
¨ Rapid weight gain. ( 4 or 5 pounds in one week.)
¨ Severe swelling in your face or hands.
¨ A significant increase in your blood pressure.
¨ Any of the above with decreased fetal movement.
What if I get PIH?
¨ There are no medications to treat or resolve PIH. It will resolve after delivery of your baby. Therefore the goal is to stabilize you until the baby's lungs are mature enough for delivery.
¨ Your physician may recommend additional testing to watch the baby's growth, amniotic fluid volume and activity.
So what can I do?
¨ You may improve the disorder with strict bed rest to lower your blood pressure. Strict bedrest means lying on your side except for quick bathroom or food breaks. Lying on your left side is recommended. Lying flat on your back is not allowed.
¨ Watch fetal movements. Count during a normal busy time for your baby. You should feel ten separate active movements in one hour. You need to count movements at least three times a day. Call your provider immediately if you are unable to count ten or if there is less movement than normal.
If you think there may be a problem, trust yourself. Call your provider right away, even if signs are not exactly like the ones listed above.
Important numbers: Millcreek Women's Center 262-8666
Labor and Delivery 268-7230 |
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