Diagnosing High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
Laboratory tests may be performed on a regular basis to check the levels of various blood and urine substances related to hypertension. Other tests to monitor heart and kidney function may also be performed. Fetal testing may begin in the second trimester and may include:
- Ultrasound (to measure fetal growth)
- Non-stress test — measures fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement
- Biophysical profile — a test that combines an ultrasound with the non-stress test
- Doppler flow studies — a type of ultrasound which use sound waves to measure blood flow