ABSTRACT
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which includes chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and pre-eclampsia (PET), are the most common medical conditions in pregnancy. One of the main aims of antenatal care is to identify hypertension and/or other features of PET. PET is a multisystem disorder, which can present with an array of signs and symptoms, and careful midwifery assessment, timely referral to the obstetrician and education of women regarding PET is indicated. High blood pressure places the mother at risk of intracranial haemorrhage and the fetus at risk of complications such as intrauterine growth restriction and/or placental abruption. Consequently, the use of antihypertensive medication to control rising blood pressure levels is indicated. Pre-eclampsia is a progressive condition that may require early delivery of the baby to prevent serious complications including stillbirth, eclampsia, renal failure and HELLP syndrome.
