Pregnant women who have hypertension (high blood pressure) need careful monitoring throughout their pregnancy.

Hypertension causes reduced blood flow to the placenta, depriving the developing fetus of oxygen and nutrients and raising the chances of a premature birth. Further, according to the Mayo Clinic, it increases the chance of placental abruption, the separation of the placenta from the uterus; the resulting blood loss presents a dangerous complication for mother and baby.

Preeclampsia, another serious condition that arises after 20 weeks of pregnancy, is characterized by increased blood pressure along with protein in the urine. If left untreated, it can lead to the death of mother and infant.

Even so, most women with high blood pressure have successful pregnancies, as long as they heed the advice of their healthcare providers.

Learn more at www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy/PR00125.

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What should pregnant women eat? Get nutritional guidelines at www.mypyramid.gov.

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