The Pill and Pregnancy

Some oral contraceptives (“the pill”) increase blood pressure in a small
proportion of women. For this reason, measurements of blood pressure
I should be made at regular intervals. Although some contraceptive tablets
have little influence on pressure, it is usually preferable for patients with
high blood pressure to practise other methods of birth control. Advice on
this aspect may be obtained from your own doctor or from Family Planning
Clinics. Pregnancy may have an important effect upon blood pressure.
Normally blood pressure falls in the first three months, even in women who
have been hypertensive. It may, then, rise again in the later stages of
pregnancy. High blood pressure may also develop for the first time in
pregnancy (pre-eclamptic toxaemia). Hypertension may require treatment
with bed rest or drugs, particularly in the weeks before delivery. High blood
pressures usually return to normal after the baby is delivered. In all cases it
is important that blood pressures are carefully watched and, if necessary,
treated throughout pregnancy. It should be emphasised, however, that if you
have hypertension you should be able to have a family without undue risk to
the mother or baby, although this extra supervision is necessary.