How to Control Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Hypertension is a health problem that is often experienced by pregnant women. In fact, this condition is experienced by about 10 percent of pregnant women. Initially you may indeed already have hypertension before becoming pregnant, but hypertension can also be experienced first time when pregnant.
Blood pressure disorders during pregnancy are divided into chronic hypertension, preeclampsia-eclampsia, chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension. These disorders can cause low birth weight (LBW) or premature birth.
Preeclampsia can be a complication of chronic hypertension as well as gestational hypertension. Signs include high blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine. This can cause the hands and feet to swell.
Usually this condition only appears at the end of pregnancy, but it can also be during a young pregnancy. If not diagnosed, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia. Eclampsia is a serious condition that causes seizures to the death of the mother and fetus.
The only action that can be done during preeclampsia is labor, regardless of the condition of the fetus. So, it is very important for pregnant women to prevent rising blood pressure and its complications. How to control the blood pressure of pregnant women, consider the following tips
1. Regular check-up
You should be diligent to see the obstetrician on schedule during pregnancy. During check-ups, make sure your doctor always monitors the blood pressure of pregnant women and protein levels in your urine.If you already have hypertension before becoming pregnant, you should be more careful. One sign of preeclampsia is protein levels in urine that are not normal. However, preeclampsia can occur without showing physical symptoms. This condition can also occur between your scheduled visit to the doctor.
Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to routinely monitor their blood pressure at home. This was also voiced by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a specialist obstetrics and gynecology association in the United States in 2013.
2. Discipline taking medicine
If you take blood pressure-lowering drugs, tell your doctor if you are on a pregnant program or when you are pregnant. The doctor may need to prescribe other medications.The reason is, certain drugs may not be safe for consumption during pregnancy. There are drugs that can block the flow of blood from the mother to the placenta and the fetus in the womb, or affect the development of the fetus.
At 4-5 months of pregnancy, maternal blood pressure usually drops. This means you may stop taking medication for a while (but must be with the doctor's permission). If you have to continue taking blood pressure medication during pregnancy, even during labor you still have to take it.
In essence, you must be disciplined and be extra careful when taking blood pressure medication during pregnancy. Do not hesitate to discuss with your doctor.
3. Actively moving
Light exercise and active movement every day can help control the blood pressure of pregnant women. No need to exercise heavily, just by swimming, walking, pregnancy exercise, or according to your doctor's advice.Physical activity is not dangerous for pregnant women with hypertension. In fact, increasing activity during pregnancy can keep you from the risk of preeclampsia, rather than you not moving at all.
Unless you have a medical reason for bed rest, start exercising gradually. Do not immediately force yourself to exercise it out.
4. Maintain body weight
You must monitor your weight during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife what your ideal weight range is during pregnancy. Being overweight, let alone obesity, is a sign that your blood pressure is vulnerable to jumping up. You also become more prone to leg cramps, diabetes, joint pain, heartburn, and get tired easily.So, it is important to change your lifestyle from the beginning of pregnancy so that your weight remains stable and ideal during pregnancy.
5. Pay attention to food intake
A balanced diet and limiting salt intake can help control the blood pressure of pregnant women while maintaining weight. Focus on eating low-fat protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains (wheat or brown rice), and low-fat dairy products.6. Apply a healthy lifestyle
Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol or drugs outside of a doctor's prescription, and drinking caffeinated drinks. Talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter medicines purchased at the pharmacy or if you regularly take medication for other medical conditions.Caffeinated drinks like coffee must be really limited. Besides being risky for babies and pregnant women, caffeine is also dangerous for your blood pressure. Even a report in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology states that caffeine might inhibit the intake of nutrients for the fetus and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Although it is not easy, controlling the blood pressure of pregnant women is very possible for the health of the mother and baby as well as a smooth delivery. If you have certain questions or concerns about your blood pressure, see a doctor immediately.
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