High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
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Pregnancy Hypertension
Although many pregnant women with high blood pressure have a completely normal pregnancy and go on to have healthy babies, pregnancy hypertension can be dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child.
About one in ten women will develop high blood pressure during their first pregnancy, though in subsequent pregnancies it is less common. Blood pressure usually begins to rise after the first twenty weeks of pregnancy and normally returns to normal after the birth. Some women who develop high blood pressure when pregnant go on to suffer from pre-eclampsia.
In general, the higher the blood pressure gets the greater the risk to both mum and baby, so getting your pregnancy high blood pressure under control is vital.
If your rise in blood pressure is mild, it can often be controlled by simple changes in diet and lifestyle. If the rise in your blood pressure is high your doctor can advise you on the correct treatment or medication and you will be closely monitored.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Why hypertension is dangerous during pregnancy
Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries. A person's blood pressure is considered high when the readings are greater than 140 mm Hg systolic (the top number in the blood pressure reading) or 90 mm Hg diastolic (the bottom number).By the sixth month of pregnancy, you will have produced an extra two and a half pints of blood, which your heart has to pump around your body. This extra blood is used to transport nourishment and oxygen to your baby via the placenta and the umbilical cord and to take his or her waste products away.
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and can lead to various other complications.
The symptoms of high blood pressure are normally so mild that you will not notice them which is why it is so important to attend your antenatal check ups where your blood pressure will be monitored.
Pregnancy And High Blood Pressure
Around 5 to 10% of women pregnant with their first baby will be found to have high blood pressure
Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure
Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
Always consult your obstetrician/doctor before trying these remedies:1 Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt, saturated fats and cholesterol.
2 Research has shown that getting more potassium in your diet can lower blood pressure - so eat more bananas, figs, tomato puree, apricots etc.
3 Eat more garlic - proven to lower cholestrol which helps to lower blood pressure.
4 Try meditation and visualisation.
5 Slow breathing - practicing slow breathing is known to reduce stress, tension and high blood pressure. See below for instructions.
6 Listen to relaxing music, preferably at a tempo of 60bpm.
7 Try gentle exercise - swimming, walking and yoga are ideal in pregnancy.
Slow Breathing For Hypertension
Try this natural technique to reduce your pregnancy high blood pressure
Put on some gentle music, preferably with a beat of around 60bpm. Try www.relaxmusic.co.uk for some incredibly relaxing music recorded at this tempo.Make yourself comfortable. The more relaxed you are the greater the benefits.
Breathe slowly and deeply, don't try to force this.
Gradually make your exhalations longer than your inhalations, until you are breathing out for approximately twice as long as you are breathing in.
Once you are used to this rhythm, gently try to slow your breathing down, but be relaxed about this, don't count or try to force it. The aim of the exercise is to get yourself as relaxed as possible.
Try to do this for 15 minutes a day, everyday if possible, but definitely four or five times a week.
For more information on slow breathing and blood pressure please click here
Best Pregnancy Books
Great Read For Pregnant Moms
Pregnancy And High Blood Pressure
Only one in five women who develop high blood pressure during pregnancy will go on to suffer from pre-eclampsia
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy Complication
High blood pressure does not necessarily lead to pre-eclampsia. If your blood pressure rises during pregnancy your obstetrician will keep an extra check on you.Pre-eclampsia is the most common of the serious conditions that can occur during pregnancy. It is caused by a defect in the placenta - the organ that supplies nutrients to the baby. In the early stages it is symptomless, but later on it is detected by a rise in blood pressure, swelling and the detection of protein in the mother's urine.
If pre-eclampsia is not detected the condition can be life threatening for both mother and baby. The only way to cure pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby, and so sometimes the birth has to be premature, although there are treatments that can be considered before this step is taken .
Relax Music
Music recorded at 60bpm to aid relaxation and encourage slow breathing
Beautiful, relaxing music and a guided progressive relaxation to completely de-stress the body and mind."Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream..... "
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Instant Relaxation Technique
Practice When You Are Feeling Stressed
You can do this instant relaxation exercise, standing, sitting or laying down:Close your eyes if you can
Bring your attention to your breathing
As you breathe in deeply say to yourself the words "I am"
As your breathe out slowly and gently say to yourself "relaxed"
Breathe in "I am"
Breathe out "relaxed"
Continue for a few moments until you feel calmer
Great Products For Pregnancy
Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure
Hope The Information On High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy Was Useful
Your feedback is greatly appreciated
Thank you for dropping by.
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Reply
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bookofgold
Oct 23, 2009 @ 12:02 pm | delete
- Great ideas, going to try eating more bananas to see if it helps lower my blood pressure.
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Reply
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alteredkat
Mar 13, 2009 @ 1:54 pm | delete
- You have some very informative "pregnancy" lenses here...wish I had had access to them when I was pregnant...oh well, you'll still be helping others! :o) Great info....and thanks for popping into my scrabble tile pendant lens...I appreciate it!
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