1. Get Prenatal Exams
Prenatal exams are a vital component of pregnancy. During each exam, your doctor will check your blood pressure. Normal blood pressure in most people is less than 140/90. During pregnancy, your doctor will not only compare your blood pressure against the expected norm but also monitor for any elevations in your pressure from your typical blood pressure. Monitoring for elevations in blood pressure is very important because of the potential for a serious disorder in pregnancy called preeclampsia.
2. Discuss Medications
Some women with high blood pressure need to start taking medication. If you were treated for high blood pressure before getting pregnant, some of your medications may need to be changed after conception. Some medications prescribed to nonpregnant women may be unsafe for the unborn baby. There are very safe medications available to control high blood pressure during pregnancy and lactation. If necessary, bring a list of all your medications to your doctor and discuss safer alternatives.
3. Pass on the Salt
Many of us eat too much salt, or sodium, in our diets, because we eat more convenience foods as our lives get busier and busier. Aside from many packaged foods being high in fats and sugar, many contain a large amount of salt. If you have high blood pressure, salt may raise your blood pressure. Rather than reaching for packaged foods, replace those meals with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit your intake of canned soups and frozen meals, since these tend to be especially high in sodium.
4. Watch the Weight Gain
Weight gain is a natural part of pregnancy. However, too much weight gain can be unhealthy, especially if you have high blood pressure. The amount of weight that you should gain during pregnancy depends on your weight before pregnancy. Overweight women do not need to gain as much weight as normal-weight women, and vice versa for underweight women. A healthy amount of weight gain in a normal-weight woman is from 25 to 35 lb. Even if you are overweight before pregnancy, you should not start a restrictive diet once you conceive. Ask your doctor about seeing a nutritionist to help you determine your caloric needs.
5. Alert Your Doctor to New Symptoms
A small percentage of women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy can develop a serious condition called preeclampsia in their second trimester. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Most doctors routinely screen your urine for protein during prenatal exams. Watch for symptoms such as dizziness, severe headaches, changes in your vision, abdominal pain and swelling in your hands or face. You should be especially mindful of these symptoms if you have high blood pressure during your pregnancy. Call your doctor right away if these symptoms occur.
