- Exercising
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting regular prenatal check ups
- Taking medication as necessary
- Having a preconceptional health visit before pregnancy
The preconception visit is very important. Hypertensive disorders are among the leading causes of complications and death for pregnancy. Being able to reduce your risk before pregnancy can help you reduce your risks of pregnancy complications including preterm birth, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and more.
You may be taking medications for your chronic high blood pressure. You will want to discuss this with your OB/GYN before becoming pregnant when possible. If you become pregnant before you are able to have this conversation, it is imperative that you call your OB/GYN immediately to find out if the medications you are taking are safe, as many of the newer medications are not safe for pregnancy. There are other medications that you can be switched to for the duration of your pregnancy.
The goal is to keep your blood pressure in check during the pregnancy to protect you and your baby. It is possible to have chronic high blood pressure and complications from gestational hypertension or pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), which can advance you to an even more elevated risk status.
Your doctor will want to monitor you closely in pregnancy. You may also be asked to seek care from a perinatologist or high risk pregnancy specialist. You will be asked to continue a good diet, perhaps your exercise routine and self screening your blood pressures at home. Be sure to call your doctor at the first warning sign of further complications.
With good care and monitoring, your risks are decreased for complications. Be sure to keep all of your prenatal care appointments and ask questions about testing and monitoring of you and your baby.
Source:
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). June 2004.
