How to Lower High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

High blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous for both the mother and child if not carefully monitored and properly treated. In mothers, high blood pressure can lead to preeclampsia and then eclampsia, a serious condition that affects a mother's liver, kidneys and brain, causing seizures and even death in extreme cases. While many babies born to mothers with high blood pressure are perfectly healthy, other babies suffer complications such as low birth weight and placental abruption (when the placenta becomes detached from the uterine wall). For a healthy mother and baby, keep your blood pressure lowered during pregnancy by following the tips below.

Things You'll Need

• Prenatal vitamins Obstetrician Blood pressure medication (prescribed) Healthy foods Comfortable seating

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit your doctor regularly. It is important that pregnant women with high blood pressure be monitored consistently. In addition, take any blood pressure medication exactly as prescribed.

• 2

  Rest as much as possible. Take a nap every day if you can and go to bed early. Put your feet up during your lunch hour on a comfortable stool.

• 3

  Eat nutritious foods. Avoid salt, as that can raise your blood pressure, and continue taking your prenatal vitamins. Try eating several small meals frequently, rather than two or three large meals every day, as this can cause heartburn in pregnant women.

• 4

  Monitor your weight gain. You should gain a healthy amount for your pregnancy. If you gain too much weight, your blood pressure will increase, putting both you and the baby in danger.

• 5

  Stop bad habits. Do not smoke or drink alcohol, and limit or halt entirely your caffeine intake. All of these things will increase your blood pressure and should be avoided at all costs.

• 6

  Avoid stressful situations. Do not attend social events that might cause undue stress and do not take on any large projects at work or at home, if possible.