Hypertension in Pregnancy Can Be Silent but Deadly — Midwife Warns
Midwife urges early antenatal care and continuous blood pressure checks to prevent pregnancy-related complications
- Hypertension in pregnancy can be silent but life-threatening if not detected early.
- Women are advised to monitor blood pressure before and after delivery.
- Early antenatal care and prompt medical attention can prevent complications.
A senior midwifery officer at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Felicia Martey Dodoo, has cautioned pregnant women about the dangers of hypertension during pregnancy, describing it as a serious but often unnoticed health risk that requires close monitoring before and after delivery.
She explained that while blood pressure naturally fluctuates during pregnancy, abnormal levels can lead to severe complications for both mother and baby if not detected early. She stressed that “hypertension in pregnancy can be silent but deadly.”
According to her, hormonal changes in the first trimester often cause blood vessels to relax, leading to a temporary drop in blood pressure, which may result in dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision. Blood pressure typically stabilises in the second trimester and returns to pre-pregnancy levels in the third.
She noted that some women enter pregnancy with chronic hypertension, while others develop it during pregnancy, known as pregnancy-induced hypertension. In many cases, women are unaware of the condition until routine antenatal checks reveal it.
Ms. Martey Dodoo also warned that high blood pressure does not always end after childbirth. She explained that some women develop complications in the postnatal period, making continued monitoring essential. She advised new mothers to check their blood pressure within 48 hours after delivery, again within seven days, and up to six weeks postpartum.
She highlighted symptoms such as persistent headaches, blurred vision, swelling of the face and limbs, and upper abdominal pain as warning signs that should not be ignored, noting that many women mistake them for normal pregnancy discomfort.
On prevention, she encouraged early antenatal attendance, consistent clinic visits, avoidance of self-medication, and the adoption of light physical activity such as walking and stretching where appropriate.
She further advised pregnant women to attend clinic visits with a trusted relative for support during emergencies, stressing that delays in seeking care or refusing hospital admission can lead to life-threatening outcomes for both mother and child.
