CMV infection during pregnancy and impact on fetal health

High blood pressure during pregnancy

It is diagnosed for the first time after the 20th week of pregnancy, which was not present before that and is not accompanied by any other symptoms of preeclampsia (such as increased protein in the urine). It occurs when the mother’s body produces an additional amount of blood during pregnancy, where the amount of production reaches double The amount present during the sixth month of pregnancy, so the heart must pump this amount to the child through the placenta and umbilical cord. Therefore, it is normal for blood pressure levels to change slightly during pregnancy, but during pregnancy, the body secretes the hormone progesterone, which contributes to relieving pressure on the walls of blood vessels. It usually disappears after birth, but it exposes the woman to the risk of developing chronic high blood pressure in the future.

Eclampsia

It is a condition resulting from high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine during pregnancy. It occurs most often after the 20th week of pregnancy or after childbirth, as the incidence of it ranges from 2 to 8% of pregnant women, and preeclampsia that occurs after childbirth is rare. Preeclampsia negatively affects the placenta, by reducing the amount of blood that reaches it. Which hinders the growth of the child and provides him with food and oxygen, or restricts him while he is in the womb.

Symptoms of preeclampsia

Women with mild preeclampsia - especially in the first pregnancy - do not have any symptoms, so it is important to have regular blood pressure checks and urine protein analysis, as the risk of complications is reduced by diagnosing the disease early and treating it quickly. Symptoms of preeclampsia include:

Severe pain in the upper abdomen or shoulders.

Severe headache that does not go away with painkillers.

Vision problems (such as blurred vision, spots, or flashing in the eyes).

The presence of vomiting later in pregnancy (other than morning vomiting associated with the first period of pregnancy).

An increase in the speed of swelling of the face, especially around the eyes, and swelling in the hands or feet.

Rapid and sudden weight gain.