New research shows that simply having high blood pressure in the first trimester of pregnancy may be responsible for birth defects that were once attributed to anti-hypertension medications.

Researchers discovered that women with high blood pressure, whether they were receiving treatment or not, are more likely to have babies with congenital heart, brain or spinal cord defects. The study used data from over 460,000 women and their babies from 1995 to 2008.

ACE inhibitors used in the second and third trimester of pregnancy carry the FDA’s most serious warning for birth defects, but this study could indicate that women on ACE inhibitors in early pregnancy with unplanned pregnancies don’t need to be as concerned as previously believed. For those planning pregnancy, it reenforces the importance of controlling high blood pressure before trying to get pregnant.

For more information see:
“High Blood Pressure in Early Pregnancy Raises Birth Defect Risk” Associated Press. Published October 19, 2011. Retrieved online a10/20/2011 from http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/19/high-blood-pressure-in-early-pregnancy-raises-birth-defect-risk/#ixzz1bL3SxrYK.