Automatic Blood Pressure Monitors
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a normal blood pressure reading for a pregnant mom is 120/80 mm Hg and below. Readings below 90/60 mm Hg indicate low blood pressure, or hypotension. It is very common for pregnant moms to experience hypotension. It can also be dangerous if not monitored.
After 20 weeks of pregnancy, blood pressure that exceeds 140/90 mm Hg — documented on two or more occasions, at least four hours apart, without any other organ damage — is considered to be gestational hypertension. This can put the mother and her baby at risk for problems during the pregnancy. High blood pressure can also cause problems during and after delivery. In the United States, high blood pressure happens in 1 in every 12 to 17 pregnancies among women ages 20 to 44. Forty five percent of non-Hispanic black females age 20 and older have high blood pressure, compared with 27 percent of non-Hispanic white women. High blood pressure in pregnancy has become more common. However, with good blood pressure control, you and your baby are more likely to stay healthy.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Preeclampsia is a serious health problem for pregnant women around the world. It affects 2 to 8 percent of pregnancies worldwide (2 to 8 in 100). In the United States, it’s the cause of 15 percent (about 3 in 20) of premature births. Preeclampsia impacts 5-8% of all births in the United States. According to the Healthcare Cost Utilization Project (HCUP), Preeclampsia is 60 percent more common in black women than white women. Most women with preeclampsia will deliver healthy babies and fully recover. However, some women will experience complications, several of which may be life-threatening to mother and/or baby.
Monitoring blood pressure at home is useful because: During pregnancy, changes in blood pressure can be an early sign of preeclampsia. The sooner this potentially life-threatening condition is caught, the easier it is to treat. Taking blood pressure at home can give you a more accurate reading.
Blood pressure monitors are another preventative care device provided by Matriarch Women’s Health Supply and are covered 100% through Texas Medicaid for moms experiencing hypotension, hypertension, or early signs of preeclampsia.
