Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand the current prevalence of, and attitudes to, self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy.
METHODS: 5555 pregnant women from antenatal clinics in 16 hospitals in England were invited to complete a survey.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the proportion of women currently BP self-monitoring. Secondary outcomes included self-monitoring schedules and women’s interactions with clinicians regarding self-monitoring. Population characteristics including risk factors for pre-eclampsia, ethnicity and deprivation level were considered.
RESULTS: Completed surveys were received and analysed from 5181 pregnant women (93% response rate). Comparison to hospital demographic data suggests that respondents were representative of the UK population. 983/5181 (19%) of women were currently self-monitoring their BP, comprising 189/389 (49%) hypertensive women and 794/4792 (17%) normotensive women. However, only 482/983 (49%) reported ever sharing this information with antenatal care teams. Of those who self-monitored, 68% (668/983) were able to provide a previous BP reading, compared to 1% (67/5181) of those who did not self-monitor.
CONCLUSION: Many women are now choosing to self-monitor their BP during pregnancy and clinicians should enquire about this proactively and consider providing better information on BP monitoring. Those who self-monitor appear to have better knowledge about their blood pressure. If these findings were replicated nationwide, around 125,000 pregnant women would be currently self-monitoring BP in the UK, yet only half of these women may communicate their readings to their antenatal care teams, suggesting a missed opportunity for enhanced care. Current trials will make the place of self-monitoring in pregnancy clearer.
KEY WORDS: Pregnancy, Hypertension, Blood pressure, Self-monitoring
METHODS: 5555 pregnant women from antenatal clinics in 16 hospitals in England were invited to complete a survey.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the proportion of women currently BP self-monitoring. Secondary outcomes included self-monitoring schedules and women’s interactions with clinicians regarding self-monitoring. Population characteristics including risk factors for pre-eclampsia, ethnicity and deprivation level were considered.
RESULTS: Completed surveys were received and analysed from 5181 pregnant women (93% response rate). Comparison to hospital demographic data suggests that respondents were representative of the UK population. 983/5181 (19%) of women were currently self-monitoring their BP, comprising 189/389 (49%) hypertensive women and 794/4792 (17%) normotensive women. However, only 482/983 (49%) reported ever sharing this information with antenatal care teams. Of those who self-monitored, 68% (668/983) were able to provide a previous BP reading, compared to 1% (67/5181) of those who did not self-monitor.
CONCLUSION: Many women are now choosing to self-monitor their BP during pregnancy and clinicians should enquire about this proactively and consider providing better information on BP monitoring. Those who self-monitor appear to have better knowledge about their blood pressure. If these findings were replicated nationwide, around 125,000 pregnant women would be currently self-monitoring BP in the UK, yet only half of these women may communicate their readings to their antenatal care teams, suggesting a missed opportunity for enhanced care. Current trials will make the place of self-monitoring in pregnancy clearer.
KEY WORDS: Pregnancy, Hypertension, Blood pressure, Self-monitoring
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 994-1001 |
| Journal | Journal of Hypertension |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 4 Jan 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 4 Jan 2021 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine
- Physiology
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine