3 Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

There's a lot to think about when you're pregnant, but your blood pressure may not be the most important one.

But it's important to get checked regularly, as blood pressure is an important indicator of a healthy pregnancy, and if it's too high, your doctor can help you take steps to lower it.

High Risk Obstetrician Dr. Oluyemi Aderibigbe, MBBSLearn why healthy blood pressure during pregnancy is so important and what you can do to keep it in a healthy range.

What is High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?

your blood pressure It's a combination of two numbers: an upper number (systolic pressure) and a lower number (diastolic pressure). These two numbers tell you how well your heart is beating and functioning.

“Blood pressure measures the pressure of your heart as it pumps blood throughout your body and gets it where it's needed,” explains Dr Aderibigbe.

During pregnancy, 140/90 is the threshold for high blood pressure, anything over 160/110 is considered very high blood pressure.

A single high blood pressure reading doesn't necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. Your doctor will likely take multiple readings to make sure your blood pressure is within a healthy range.

Why is it important to have healthy blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure If consumed during pregnancy, it may be harmful to the mother and may affect the healthy development of the fetus.

Risks include:

• Brain swelling.
• Postpartum hemorrhage, excessive bleeding after giving birth.
• future Heart disease.
• Heart attack.
• Kidney damage.
• Liver damage.
• Seizures.
• stroke.
• Low birth weight.
• Premature birth.
• Placental abruptionThis is a dangerous condition that can cause the placenta to detach from the uterus.

Who is at risk for developing high blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure is a major health concern not only during pregnancy but throughout life.

“If we look back to the 1980s, hypertension has been on the rise,” Dr. Aderibigbe reports, “and that's due to changes in the general health of the population.”

High blood pressure during pregnancy is also on the riseThe main reasons are:

• Age at conception: Compared to previous generations, many people are having children at a later age. Older people are more susceptible to high blood pressure.
• obesityThe proportion of the population that is obese is increasing. Obesity is often associated with high blood pressure.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Using IVF increases the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Other risk factors that increase the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy include

• Transport Multiple Babies (Twins or more).
• Living with a chronic illness such as kidney disease Type 2 diabetes.
• Have a family history of high blood pressure.
• Being of African-American descent.
• My first pregnancy.
• Sleep apnea.

What are the types of high blood pressure during pregnancy?

Some women have high blood pressure before they become pregnant, while others develop high blood pressure during pregnancy.

There are four types of high blood pressure during pregnancy:

• Chronic hypertension This often happens if you had high blood pressure before you became pregnant, but you may not know it. Or, you may have developed high blood pressure during the 20th week of pregnancy.
• Hypertension during pregnancy This is a condition in which high blood pressure develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is considered a pregnancy-related condition.
• Toxemia of pregnancy High blood pressure can be accompanied by signs of other serious conditions, such as kidney and liver problems. This dangerous condition needs to be treated immediately as it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.
• Chronic hypertension complicated by pregnancy-induced toxemia It occurs when a woman who had high blood pressure before becoming pregnant develops pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. This condition carries the same risks as having pre-eclampsia alone.

How to lower blood pressure during pregnancy

Staying healthy throughout your pregnancy is important, and while making healthy changes may help, it may not be enough.

Dr Aderibigbe explains what can help lower high blood pressure during pregnancy.

1. Healthy lifestyle

For non-pregnant people, lowering blood pressure often starts with achieving a healthy weight, but weight loss is not the goal during pregnancy.

“Eat well, exercise“Don't smoke and look after your health. These are the best things you can do,” advises Dr Aderibigbe.

2. Aspirin therapy

Taking low-dose aspirin early in pregnancy (after 12 weeks) may help prevent preeclampsia.

Important note: Do not start aspirin therapy on your own. Always consult your doctor before starting aspirin during pregnancy.

3. Blood Pressure Lowering Agents

Healthy lifestyle changes and aspirin therapy alone may not be enough to keep your blood pressure in a safe range during pregnancy, in which case prescription medications may be recommended.

“There are several blood pressure medications that can be safely taken during pregnancy,” says Dr Aderibigbe.

These medicines are safe while breastfeeding.

If you were taking certain blood pressure medications before you became pregnant, you may need new types of medications because some blood pressure medications are not suitable for pregnant women. These include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and renin inhibitors.

How to Prevent High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

The best way to maintain healthy blood pressure during pregnancy is to optimize your health before you become pregnant.

“There is no magic prescription – just healthy habits and regular medical check-ups to detect problems early,” says Dr Aderibigbe.

Taking the following measures before becoming pregnant can help prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy:

• eat Healthy eating.
• Exercise regularly.
• Finding a healthy way Reduces stressas Stress and anxiety can affect blood pressure.
• Achieve or maintain a healthy weight.
• Quitting smoking.

You can also try Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure.

If you have any questions or concerns about your health during your pregnancy, be sure to contact your health care provider.