Insufficient weight gain may suggest that a woman is not receiving sufficient nutrition to maintain her own well-being, and perhaps her fetus’s health. Excessive weight gain can place a woman at increased risk for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or a C-section.
Monitoring blood pressure is particularly important during pregnancy to identify a condition called pre-eclampsia, which typically occurs later in pregnancy. If a woman’s blood pressure is high, further laboratory tests may be necessary to investigate for pre-eclampsia, such as testing urine for protein, or blood testing to examine liver function.
Pre-eclampsia and its complications can endanger the health of both mother and baby. Therefore, in addition to regular blood pressure monitoring, a woman who experiences blurry vision, severe headaches, sudden swelling of hand or feet, or severe upper abdominal pain, should contact here medical provider immediately.
Some women may be more at risk for pre-eclampsia than others, and some women may be instructed to take baby aspirin to reduce their risk or even to monitor blood pressure at home.
