Your blood pressure needs special attention during pregnancy, as high blood pressure can cause problems for you and your baby. Pre-eclampsia is a potentially dangerous complication of pregnancy. It includes the development of high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling or puffiness in the legs, fingers and face. It is more common in women with diabetes. Pre-eclampsia is dangerous for you and your baby as it can cause problems for your baby’s growth. It is also is a major cause of premature birth. Well managed blood glucose levels before and throughout pregnancy can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, but not fully prevent it. Your doctor or diabetes in pregnancy team will check your blood pressure and urine, and look for signs of pre-eclampsia at each visit in the later stages of your pregnancy. You may be advised to take low-dose aspirin from early pregnancy to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.
