Were you aware that approximately 10 percent of all women experience a form of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, during their pregnancy? Chronic hypertension, gestational high blood pressure and preeclampsia are the three types that can affect a mother while she is carrying.
A woman develops chronic hypertension during the first twenty weeks of her pregnancy. Gestational high blood pressure is developed after the first twenty weeks of pregnancy, but will generally dissipate after the baby is born. Preeclampsia is the most serious form of hypertension and also develops after twenty weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia can be dangerous to both the mother and baby.
“There is no proven way to prevent preeclampsia,” says the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. “Most women who develop signs of preeclampsia, however, are closely monitored to lessen or avoid related problems. The only way to “cure” preeclampsia is to deliver the baby.”
Below are suggestions to help control your high blood pressure:
- Monitor your salt intake.
- Exercise regularly.
- Watch the type of medications you take while pregnant that could spike your blood pressure.
- No smoking or drinking while pregnant.
- Get regular prenatal checkups.
For additional details about combatting hypertension during pregnancy, read here.