by Julie Bell

Created on: October 28, 2008

High blood pressure in pregnancy can be scary. You may have heard of this affecting the growth of the baby, or causing fetal distress in labour, or even of mothers having fits from pre-eclampsia. Yet few people realise how much diet and lifestyle contribute to rising blood pressure in pregnancy, and how much we can use our diet and lifestyle to prevent or manage problems. Take heart - there is a lot you can do to prevent this, or to lower your blood pressure if it already high. These simple steps will greatly benefit your well-being and that of your baby, as well as lowering your blood pressure.

Some rises in blood pressure can be natural compensatory measures in a pregnant woman, or as a result of "white coat hypertension" or anxiety. A slow, steady rise is more ominous it can be a symptom of pre-eclampsia, which is sometimes called Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH).

Here are some practical ways to prevent and treat high blood pressure in pregnancy:

* Water drink more plain water

* Protein this is a major factor in avoiding many pregnancy complications including PIH and Pre Eclampsia. Nuts, Seeds, Wheatgerm, Beans, Cheese, Milk, Yoghurt, Soy, Eggs, Chicken, Fish and Meat are all good sources of protein.

* Increase Calcium

Raw beetroot is the fastest and most effective way to naturally increase available calcium to the body. It also balances the sodium/potassium ratio of your blood. You can juice beetroot & carrot together, or make a raw salad of equal parts of one freshly grated raw apple and one grated raw beet. Other good sources of calcium are low-fat dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt); dark green vegetables (silverbeet, broccoli); dried figs, dates, apricots & prunes; nuts and seeds; lentils and beans.

* Increase Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency leads to Pre-Eclampsia. Junk food has hardly any magnesium. Whole grains, raw fruit and vegetables lots of magnesium. These foods have the most: Spinach, Silverbeet, Nuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Avocado, Beans kidney, navy, pinto, lima, soya; Brocolli, Tofu, Wheatgerm,

Have a bath in Epsom Salts, which contains Magnesium.

* Increase Potassium

Bananas and ripe yellow cucumbers are good sources of potassium.

* Vitamins C, E and A

Raw fruit and vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, are good sources of these vitamins and also of calcium.

* Evening Primrose Oil.

* Fish Oil

* Exercise

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing Pre Eclampsia. It helps by reducing stress and promoting general

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>