High uric acid during pregnancy can harm the baby, especially if the pregnant woman has high blood pressure, as it may be related to pre-eclampsia, which is a serious complication of pregnancy and can lead to miscarriage.
Typically, uric acid decreases early in pregnancy and increases during the third trimester. However, when uric acid increases in the first trimester or after 22 weeks of gestation, the pregnant woman has a greater risk of developing pre-eclampsia, especially if she has high blood pressure.
What is preeclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by high blood pressure, greater than 140 x 90 mmHg, the presence of proteins in the urine and fluid retention that causes swelling of the body. It must be treated as soon as possible, as when left untreated it can progress to eclampsia and cause fetal death, convulsions or even coma.
Find out what the symptoms of pre-eclampsia are and how it is treated in: Pre-eclampsia.
What to do when uric acid is high during pregnancy
When uric acid is elevated during pregnancy, associated with high blood pressure, the doctor may recommend that the pregnant woman:
- Reduce salt intake in your diet, replacing it with aromatic herbs;
- Drink around 2 to 3 liters of water per day;
- Lie on your left side to increase blood flow to the uterus and kidneys.
The doctor may also prescribe medication to control blood pressure and recommend blood tests and ultrasounds to control the development of pre-eclampsia.
