There’s a lot to think about when preparing for a healthy pregnancy. Most women are concerned about the nausea that can arise in the first trimester; however, several other concerns may also develop during pregnancy.
Pre-eclampsia, or high blood pressure that arises in pregnancy, is hard to prepare for, and occurs in roughly three per cent of Canadian women who become pregnant1. Although what causes elevated blood pressure to occur during pregnancy is not known, awareness and simple preventive strategies (as with most health conditions) are essential in supporting a healthy prenatal experience.
THE FIRST WEEKS
Pre-eclampsia typically arises after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, when blood pressure starts to climb to levels above the standard systolic pressure of 140 mmHg and diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg, respectively. Checking and recording your blood pressure prior to pregnancy, when you become pregnant, and occasionally during your pregnancy, can help you monitor for signs of these changes.
Laboratory evaluations have also been extremely helpful in screening for risk factors that may be associated with pre-eclampsia. It’s a good idea to have your blood tested for serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time ratio (PTT), 25-OH Vitamin D and uric acid levels.
These tests have all been found to be predictive in the risk of pre-eclampsia.2,3,4
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Also known to increase the risk of pre-eclampsia in women are “the usual suspects”: pre-existing high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. These health concerns should be tackled prior to pregnancy to dramatically lower your risk of many complications that can arise during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia.
One example of a lifestyle change that has been proven to lower the risk of pre-eclampsia is exercise. Regular exercise, prior to and during pregnancy, has been found to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia along with the risk of excess weight gain and gestational diabetes5. Consider joining a prenatal yoga class or going to a prenatal aqua-fit or aerobics class. Traditional Pilates is also a great way to stay fit during pregnancy and has a strong emphasis on diaphramatic breathing, which makes every pregnancy a lot smoother.
A healthy diet plays an essential role in preventing unwanted complications before and during pregnancy. A special focus on whole foods, including lean proteins, nuts and seeds, vegetables and healthy fats is essential.
TCM TIP
Taken from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a diet tip to prevent excessive swelling while pregnant involves avoiding excess amounts of raw fruits and vegetables, as well as “cold” foods and drinks that are high in refined sugars, such as juice and soft drinks.
All of the above diet and lifestyle tips can help you have a healthy and safe prenatal experience.
