TOXAEMIA OF PREGNANCY – HYPOTENSIVE DRUGS

Posted: May 15th, 2009 | Author: admin | Filed under: General health | No Comments »

A doctor will insist that the mother lies down during the day. If she is still working then he will insist on her giving up her job.

If the blood pressure continues to rise bed rest at home or admission to hospital may be necessary.

Hypotensive drugs that lower the blood pressure may also be necessary. Once pre-eclampsia has developed it does not go away, until the baby is delivered.

It can be controlled and its effects minimised until the baby is spontaneously delivered or the pregnancy is terminated by induction of labor before the due date.

If untreated pre-eclampsia may go on to the condition of eclampsia, where the blood pressure is out of control. The mother develops fits and the baby usually dies. Eclampsia is rare only because pre-eclampsia is so well managed.

An instrument called an echograph can measure the size of the baby and see its progress. This uses ultrasonic waves in the same way as sonar is used to track submarines. The placenta produces a hormone, oestriol, and this is excreted in the mother’s urine.

Measurement of the levels of oestriol give a good indication of placental function and how well nourished is the baby.

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