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High blood pressure and pregnancy: Healthy mom, healthy baby
What should I do to prepare for pregnancy?
If you have high blood pressure, schedule a preconception appointment with the health care provider who'll be handling your pregnancy. Also meet with other members of your health care team, such as your family doctor or cardiologist. They'll evaluate how well you're managing your high blood pressure and consider any treatment changes you may need to make before pregnancy begins. If you're overweight, your health care provider may recommend losing the excess pounds before you try to conceive.
What can I expect during prenatal visits?
During pregnancy, you'll see your health care provider often. Your weight and blood pressure will be checked at every visit, and you may need frequent blood and urine tests.
Your health care provider will closely monitor your baby's health as well. Frequent ultrasounds may be used to track your baby's growth and development, particularly during the last trimester. Fetal heart rate monitoring also may be used to evaluate your baby's well-being.
What can I do to prevent complications?
Taking good care of yourself is the best way to take care of your baby. For example:
- Keep your prenatal appointments. Visit your health care provider regularly throughout your pregnancy.
- Take your blood pressure medication as prescribed. Your health care provider will prescribe the safest medication at the most appropriate dose.
- Get plenty of rest. Take a daily nap, if you can. Follow your health care provider's recommendations for physical activity. If you develop signs of preeclampsia, bed rest may be recommended.
- Eat a healthy diet. Limit the amount of sodium in your diet, and take your prenatal vitamins.
- Monitor your weight. Gaining the right amount of weight supports your baby's growth and development. Gaining too much weight places additional stress on your heart that may persist after delivery.
- Know what's off-limits. Avoid smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs.
If you're at increased risk of preeclampsia, your health care provider may prescribe low-dose aspirin therapy during your pregnancy to reduce your chances of developing the condition.
What about labor and delivery?
Your health care provider may suggest inducing labor a few weeks before your due date to avoid complications. If you develop preeclampsia or other complications, induction may be needed even earlier. If you have severe preeclampsia, you may be given medication during labor to help prevent seizures. In some cases, a C-section may be needed.
Will I be able to breast-feed my baby?
Breast-feeding is encouraged for most women who have high blood pressure, even those who take medication. Discuss any medication adjustments you'll need to make with your health care provider ahead of time. Sometimes an alternate blood pressure medication is recommended.
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