Self-monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy.

Instruction in self-determination of blood pressure offers a means for managing a pregnant woman who has chronic hypertension. This approach offers patient participation and reinforces compliance to bed rest. If further identifies the anxiety and emotions involved in a visit to the physician's office, since the blood pressure readings are significantly lower when taken by the patient elsewhere. Furthermore, it offers an effective tool to monitor the effect of antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure in a more accurate manner.