High blood pressure is a serious concern during pregnancy. It can seriously affect the health of both mother and child.

High blood pressure can lead to the following complications during pregnancy:

• Pre-eclampsia: It is a pregnancy condition whose symptoms include proteins in the urine (proteinuria), fluid retention, poor vision and severe headaches. Pre-eclampsia can transform into a serious medical condition and can cause seizures and even coma. If left untreated, pre-eclampsia can cause brain, liver and kidney damage.
• Premature Birth & Low Birth weight: High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia can harm the mother’s kidneys and other organs and lead to premature delivery and low birth weight of the baby.
• Placental abruption: This is a serious condition wherein the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. As a result, the baby may not get enough oxygen and nourishment in the womb.

Many women develop gestational hypertension which begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy and subsides after delivery. Gestational hypertension generally causes minor increases in blood pressure, but some women develop severe hypertension and become at high risk of developing major complications like preeclampsia. Considering the far reaching ramifications of High Blood Pressure towards both mother and child during pregnancy, it is essential to understand the ways to prevent high blood pressure during this crucial period.

Here are the Do’s and Don’ts that can help an expectant mother keep blood pressure at bay:

Do’s:

Before Pregnancy

• Pre-conception checkup: Get yourself a medical checkup before pregnancy to take care of health conditions that may affect your pregnancy.
• Use birth control until your blood pressure is under control.
• Get to & maintain a healthy weight after consultation with your doctor.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Incorporate some activity in your day to day life as per your convenience. This can be as simple as a morning or an evening walk.

During Pregnancy

• Visit your doctor for all your prenatal care checkups, even if you’re feeling OK.
• If you are on medication to control your blood pressure, take it every day. Ask your doctor about the medicines that are safe for you and your baby.
• Maintain a healthy weight by eating healthy and indulging in safe exercise for 30 minutes each day.
•  Reduce salt intake as high salt, or sodium, intake can raise blood pressure.

Don’ts:

• Come what may, STAY AWAY FROM STRESS. Stress is a key trigger of High Blood Pressure and consequently preeclampsia.
• Do not Smoke. Smoking is unhealthy for people with a High BP issue as it damages the walls of blood vessel.
• Do not drink alcohol. Research has proven that heavy drinking increases the probability of developing high blood pressure in both men and women.

Image Source: BabyCenter.com.au