1. Get Proper Prenatal Care
For now, no one really knows how to prevent preeclampsia from occurring during pregnancy. While there are risk factors, they do not always predict who will get preeclampsia. The best thing any pregnant woman can do is get good prenatal care, so they can catch the condition as early as possible.
Careful monitoring of your blood pressure and protein in your urine will help your doctor identify preeclampsia as soon as it starts. Additionally, talking to your doctor about symptoms of preeclampsia, such as headaches, dizziness and abdominal pain, can help catch the condition when it first begins.
2. Manage Weight Prior to Pregnancy
Obesity is one of the risk factors for preeclampsia. This may be because a history of high blood pressure and diabetes are also risk factors for the condition and these are common side effects of obesity. If you want to lower your risk of developing preeclampsia while pregnant, you should try to get your weight down to a healthy amount. Beginning your pregnancy at a healthy weight will not only reduce your risk of preeclampsia, but also help prevent gestational diabetes and some birth defects.
3. Know Your Family History
If you have a family history of preeclampsia, you are also at a greater risk of developing the condition. Talk to the women in your family to determine your risk. If you know that preeclampsia runs in your family, talk to your doctor about monitoring your blood pressure at home for signs of preeclampsia. Keep a log of any changes in your blood pressure and get checked out at the first sign of trouble.
4. Get Enough Calcium and Take Prenatal Vitamins
Some studies have shown that calcium deficiencies are also a risk factor for preeclampsia. If you don't get enough calcium from food (as some women who are lactose intolerant do not), add calcium supplements to your diet. Other studies have shown that taking prenatal vitamins for several months prior to conception and during early pregnancy can reduce your risk of developing preeclampsia. More research needs to be done to verify these studies, but there is no harm in getting enough vitamins and calcium in your diet. Taking these measures will only serve to increase the health of your pregnancy regardless.
