Understanding high blood pressure
During pregnancy, your blood pressure will be monitored. High blood pressure can develop for many reasons. Regardless of the cause, it is important to maintain a healthy pregnancy. High blood pressure can occur with or without evidence of protein in the urine. This was previously considered the gold standard for a diagnosis of preeclampsia.
High blood pressure can be present prior to pregnancy. These individuals are usually under treatment for managing their blood pressure. They fall into the category of chronic hypertension. It is possible for your condition to worsen during pregnancy and lead to preeclampsia. This is important to understand so you can continue to make good health choices during your pregnancy to minimize risk of worsening hypertension.
Gestational hypertension refers to those individuals who develop high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is the diagnosis given to those with hypertension after 20 weeks pregnancy with signs of damage to other organs in the body.
Staying healthy during pregnancy
In order to maintain a healthy pregnancy and low blood pressure there are things you can do. It is important to see your medical provider regularly during your pregnancy. If you develop any new symptoms, please discuss it with your provider to make sure if it is normal during pregnancy.
If you were active and exercising prior to becoming pregnant, you can continue to exercise throughout your pregnancy according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists if you do not have a complicated pregnancy. Please discuss exercise with your provider at your prenatal visits. The recommendation is 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week. It is also recommended to initiate new exercise routines during your pregnancy even if you have not previously been active as long as you have been cleared by your provider.
In addition to exercise, it is important to maintain healthy weight gain and eat a healthy diet. What exactly is a healthy diet? Don’t fall into the trap of “eating for two”. You want to get an adequate amount of calories with a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fats, and protein.
I also believe managing stress levels and getting enough sleep are key to managing blood pressure. If you feel you have too many responsibilities on your plate and it is causing added stress in your life, then it is time to make rest and relaxation a priority and delegate or eliminate some tasks.
A good amount of rest is restorative to your body and can also be healing for those suffering from illness or injury. If you live a fast-paced life, have several responsibilities on your to-do lists and wear many hats in your home and profession, then also make time to rest, relax, and enjoy life.
The Fit Pelvis offers Health and Wellness Coaching, Nutrition Counseling, Yoga, Physical Therapy, Birth Prep, and Pregnancy Classes to support you on your pregnancy journey. Visit thefitpelvis.com to learn more or schedule a Discovery Call if you have questions.