During the course of a pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many changes. While some of those changes may be normal, other changes may be a cause for alarm. For many women, blood pressure levels become elevated as a direct result of the excess weight and stress associated with carrying a baby. Pregnancy induced hypertension is an all too common problem.
Hypertension is a serious medical condition that requires medical intervention. One of the most common ways to control elevated blood pressure is to use prescription hypertension medication. However, pregnant women cannot take a large majority of these drugs. Also, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe any medication to women while they are pregnant or nursing because some drugs can be transmitted to the unborn baby in utero or through breast feeding.
Most doctors will advise pregnant women to modify their diet in order to control healthy blood pressure levels. It may be difficult to make dietary changes at this time, especially if you are experiencing cravings. However, making these changes is in the best interest for you and your baby. By taking a few steps towards change, you will be more likely to carry to full term.
Unlike regular hypertension, pregnancy induced hypertension is not largely impacted by the woman’s sodium intake. Only reducing your sodium intake in order to control blood pressure simply will not work. Most doctors will place pregnant women with hypertension on a low sodium diet in order to help women make more healthy food choices. Also, lowering the amount of salt in your daily diet may help reduce some of the swelling you are experiencing as a result of pregnancy induced hypertension.
Most doctors will prescribe a high protein diet for pregnant women to follow throughout the remainder of their pregnancy. 100 grams of lean protein is the recommended norm. This does not mean that greasy burgers are a part of this diet. Lean protein choices include baked chicken, grilled fish, and lean cuts of beef.
It is also important to make sure that you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables while on this diet. Snacking on these items instead of processed snacks is a significant improvement and a step in the right direction. Processed crackers, chips, and other treats have many hidden ingredients that can elevate blood pressure, so it is best to avoid them.
It may be difficult to make these changes, but once you do, you will feel much better. Many women find they have more energy and gain less excess weight as a result of their hypertension diet. However, the best incentive is the healthy newborn baby that will be born.
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