High blood pressure in pregnancy is a prevalent issue that many pregnant ladies face. Hypertension is the blood pressure that is more than or equal to 130/80 mm Hg.
High blood pressure in pregnancy isn’t usually dangerous if it’s well-managed. However, it can sometimes result in serious health problems for both the mother and the developing baby.
If you are pregnant and have high blood pressure in your pregnancy, you don’t have to worry. With simple home remedies and tips, you can manage high blood pressure during pregnancy on your own.
First, we have to understand why high blood pressure in pregnancy occurs.
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High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy: Reasons Behind It
Blood pressure levels may fluctuate or recover to pre-pregnancy values as a woman’s pregnancy advances. This could be due to many factors:
Studies show that during pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases by up to 45 percent. This is blood that the heart has to pump around the body in addition to the normal amount.
The left ventricle thickens and expands. The heart has to work harder to accommodate the increased blood volume because of this transient effect.
Vasopressin, a hormone that causes water retention, is released in greater levels by the kidneys.
High blood pressure during pregnancy will usually go down after the baby is born. Your doctor may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure if it remains high.
Are There any Complications due to High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?
If you have high blood pressure in pregnancy, there are more chances of having pregnancy migraine with other complications e.g:
Preeclampsia
Your brain and kidneys, among other organs, may suffer catastrophic damage as a result of this condition. Eclampsia develops from preeclampsia with seizures. It can be lethal if left untreated.
Preeclampsia can cause the following symptoms:
- Hands and face swell abnormally
- Headaches that don’t go away
- Seeing dots or experiencing vision alterations
- Upper abdominal discomfort
- Later in pregnancy, you may have nausea or vomiting
- Breathing problems
If you develop any of these symptoms, you should contact a well-known gynecologist immediately since preeclampsia can be dangerous to both you and your baby.
HELLP Syndrome
Hemolysis, high liver enzymes, and low platelet count are all abbreviated as HELLP. Preeclampsia can cause this severe and life-threatening disorder.
The following are signs and symptoms of HELLP:
- Upper abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
High blood pressure might affect the baby’s growth rate if it occurs during pregnancy. Low birth weight is a possible outcome.
Simple Remedies for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
These complications arise due to high blood pressure in pregnancy. You may try some simple tips to prevent this condition from damaging your and your baby’s health.
Avoid Too Much Sodium in Your Diet
Removing salt from your diet is one of the most natural strategies to help regulate and cure your blood pressure.
When you are pregnant, your immune system is harmed and the efficiency of your body’s natural functions is reduced. It happens because your hormones are highly imbalanced.
This makes it more difficult to process and digest salt or salty meals. If the salt isn’t digested properly or is consumed in excess, it can cause a blood pressure surge.
Salt reduction also boosts your immunity and increases your body’s energy levels while you’re pregnant.
De-Stress Yourself
Anxiety, depression, and stress are common during pregnancy. They are also the major causes of high blood pressure.
Practice relaxing activities; listen to music, practice prenatal yoga, and receive prenatal massages to help manage stress.
Listen to music that is slow and has a relaxing and soothing rhythm, such as jazz, blues, or classical music.
Do Exercise
Exercise is one of the most effective strategies to manage your blood pressure at home.
It doesn’t have to be hard, but a good 30 minutes of exercise can aid your body. It helps you stay healthy and strengthen your immune system.
Exercising also relaxes muscles, tones the body, and regulates blood flow. Regular exercise is necessary for controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
This is more of a lifestyle need than a treatment, as it helps maintain stable blood pressure levels.
Exercise during pregnancy has the added benefit of making delivery simpler, managing pain better, and reducing pregnancy-related exhaustion.
Take Potassium
Foods like sweet potatoes, kidney beans, orange juice, or dried fruits with no added sugar, and bananas, peas, melon, potatoes, and tomatoes are potassium-rich foods.
They can help manage hypertension. Potassium helps to maintain a balance of electrolytes and fluids during pregnancy.
Manage Your Weight
Being overweight is another risk factor for hypertension.
It’s critical to maintain track of your weight and keep your pregnancy weight increase within healthy ranges.
You can better manage this by eating well and exercising often.
Being overweight increases your chances of developing medical problems like joint discomfort, tiredness, gestational diabetes, GERD (reflux and heartburn), and more.
Eat Magnesium-based Foods
Magnesium aids in the management of high blood pressure.
Pregnant women eat foods high in magnesium, such as tofu, avocados, almonds, soy milk, and especially bananas because they have several benefits.
Magnesium not only helps keep blood pressure in check, but it also keeps the uterus from contracting prematurely.
Take Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps maintain a healthy cholesterol level. It’s also recognised for helping to keep your blood pressure in check.
Drink one tablespoon of ACV with a glass of warm water and honey every day.
Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine is a leading cause of high blood pressure.
Limiting or quitting your caffeine intake entirely during pregnancy is an effective way to keep you and your baby healthy.
Avoid Junk Food
Junk food is typically high in preservatives and is notorious for being unhealthy.
It may satisfy your hunger, but it is not a good source of nutrition.
So, to be healthy and control your blood pressure in pregnancy, avoid junk food.
Putting it All Together!!!
If high blood pressure is not treated during pregnancy, it can be fatal to both the mother and the baby.
Hypertensive disorders caused by high blood pressure are the second-leading cause of maternal death during pregnancy, therefore any symptoms or concerns should be discussed with your doctor.
In general, regular monitoring and some lifestyle adjustments can reduce your risk of high blood pressure issues.
