Recently, Xiao Yun (pseudonym) was nearing her due date. While happily decorating the nursery, her vision suddenly blurred and darkened. She was rushed to the Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Doctors diagnosed her with pregnancy-induced hypertension, which caused retinal detachment and fetal cardiac arrest."This tragedy could have been prevented," lamented Chen Xiaomei, Deputy Chief Physician of the Maternal Health Department at the hospital. She explained that Xiaoyun had never attended prenatal checkups, missing the window for treatment. Xiaoyun, just 29 years old and already a mother to a 2-year-old daughter, became pregnant again early this year. Juggling work and childcare, she found no time for prenatal care.By 33 weeks gestation, she developed mild edema throughout her body, gained over 40 pounds, and experienced dizziness when bending over. She dismissed these symptoms as normal pregnancy changes. One evening, after tidying the nursery, she stood up and suddenly felt her legs give way. She fell heavily to the floor and lost her vision. Terrified, her family rushed her to the hospital.
Examination revealed Xiaoyun's blood pressure had soared to 180/120 mmHg. The fetus had already lost its heartbeat, and she also suffered from placental abruption, requiring immediate surgery. That same day, after stabilizing her blood pressure, doctors performed an emergency C-section, saving her life. Through subsequent treatment, her vision gradually recovered, but she lost the child she carried.
Xiaoyun was filled with regret. She explained that after 25 weeks of pregnancy, she occasionally felt dizzy but assumed it was due to lack of sleep and never considered going for prenatal checkups. But how could she, being so young and with no family history of hypertension, suddenly develop gestational hypertension?
Dr. Chen Xiaomei explained that gestational hypertension is a condition unique to pregnancy. In China, its incidence ranges from 5.6% to 9.4%, making it a leading cause of maternal mortality. Only regular prenatal checkups can effectively prevent it. Delayed treatment may lead to convulsions, nausea, coma, or heart failure. The fetus may also suffer oxygen deprivation, resulting in developmental delays, premature birth, or even intrauterine fetal death.