Just Wondering: When Does Your Period Come Back After Having a Baby?
A recent study suggests that this system isnt enough to keep postpartum people safe.
Dangerous cardiovascular conditions, like postpartum high blood pressure, are relatively common.
According to the study,one in ten postpartum peopledevelops high blood pressure within six weeks of giving birth.
What is postpartum hypertension?
When youre pregnant, the amount of blood volume in your body doubles.
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This is ultimately a good thing, as it supports your body and the developing fetus.
But having so much additional blood in your body puts a lot of extra pressure on your cardiovascular system.
Your heart is pumping extra, and your arteries are under increased strain, says Dr. Gaither.
For this reason, high blood pressure isnt uncommon at all during pregnancy.
In fact, even a blood pressure reading of140/90is considered high, but not severe, during this time.
Preeclampsia, postpartum preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension are all serious health issues that can arise.
What does the new research show?
The analysis published inHypertensionlooked at 2,400 women who did not have high blood pressure during their pregnancies.
More than 22 percent of these cases were diagnosed more than six weeks after delivery.
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Why does it seem like postpartum hypertension is becoming more common?
There are a few things that could be contributing to a perceived rise in postpartum high blood pressure.
The increased use of fertility assistance technologies could also be a potential link, says Dr. Gaither.
But the question remains: Is that enough?
What are providers doing to catch postpartum high blood pressure earlier?
As more research comes out about postpartum hypertension, its possible that recommendations for postpartum care will change.
This punch in of monitoring could also help withmental health outcomespost-pregnancy.
Until guidelines are updated, its important to be aware of postpartum high blood pressure as a possibility.
But beyond that, she encourages engaging with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have at all.
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