Call to tackle pregnancy blood pressure threat
Wednesday August 25th, 2010
Midwife leaders have backed new UK guidelines published today aim at tackling the dangers of high blood pressure in pregnant women.
The guidelines say pregnant women should take a daily dose of low aspirin if they are at risk.
Pregnant women should take low doses of aspirin if they are at risk of developing high blood pressure, according to guidelines published today.
Experts hope to reduce maternal deaths by improving prevention and treatment of blood pressure problems - which lead to pre-eclampsia.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence says it is the first time national guidance has been published.
It says a small daily dose of aspirin could help some women avoid a potentially serious and sometimes fatal condition.
The guidelines set out how women with pre-eclampsia can give birth at 34 weeks.
Dr Fergus Macbeth, of NICE, said: "Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be fairly common and can develop at any time during pregnancy. If not properly managed, it can cause serious health problems.
"That's why it's important that women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and who have either been diagnosed or identified as being at risk of developing a form of hypertension, receive a consistent, high standard of antenatal and postnatal care to prevent problems occurring."
Lynda Mulhair, a midwife at Guy's and St Thomas' in London, said: "Although GPs and midwives already test a woman's blood pressure and urine for signs of hypertension and pre-eclampsia at each antenatal visit, there is a lack of guidance on what to do if a condition like this is diagnosed."
Women's representatives also backed the guidance.
Fiona Milne, who suffered from the problem during pregnancy and lost a baby at 37 weeks, said: "It was a traumatic time that deeply affected a lot of people; family, friends, doctors and nurses.
"This guideline, which I played a part in developing, will mean pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy who have or may develop a hypertensive disorder, will receive the best possible care and attention to keep them and their unborn babies safe and healthy."
The guidance was also welcomed by the Royal College of Midwives. Gail Johnson, of the RCM, said: "Hypertensive disorders pose a significant health risk for women and their unborn babies.
"Midwives are seeing an increase in maternal obesity and older women becoming pregnant; this means that midwives and doctors are seeing more women at risk of, or with hypertensive disorders."
Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Heart Health | Nursing & Midwifery | UK News
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