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High Blood Pressure ??s

AnnieMigAnnieMig
in Natural Birth

My OB has just recently diagnosed me with high blood pressure.  He says I'm too early in this pregnancy to have pre-e, but he will continue to monitor me closely and has referred me to a maternal fetal medicine dr.

I'd like to know if high blood pressure alone, without other complications, is cause for having the baby at the hospital vs. a birth center.  Should I be prepared for additional monitoring during labor?  How might this change my natural birth plans? 

I will be asking my dr as well, but until I see him again, I thought I ask you ladies.

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Re: High Blood Pressure ??s

  • silkyhorsesilkyhorse

    I would ask your doctor if there are changes you can make to your diet and exercise to help lower your blood pressure.  Both my midwife and my Bradley class instructor have emphasized how much of a difference diet and exercise make in having a healthy pregnancy, and therefore, a successful natural birth.

    If you can't get your blood pressure down through diet and exercise, I wouldn't be at all surprised if your doctor recommends a hospital birth.

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  • pinksweetpea2pinksweetpea2 member

    My blood pressure was elevated around 28 weeks.  This is what my MW recommended and my blood pressure came back down to normal in 2-3 weeks- and stayed that way until I gave birth at 43 weeks at home.

    You should immediately start on a high protein diet- at LEAST 80 grams of lean protein a day.   I am not going to lie, it is a challenge at times, but it does work.  Protein comes from a variety of sources- meat, beans, nuts.  Greek yogurt has a LOT of protein in it.

    Avoid table salt and processed foods that contain a lot of sodium, but feel free to salt your food to taste with a high quality salt such as sea salt. 

    Stop drinking caffeine if you can.  Also, try to avoid eating too much sugar.

    Keep active.  I found swimming very refreshing.

    Get more rest and try to avoid stress.  I was planning on being a SAHM, so I just stopped working early- around 32 weeks.  I know that isn't possible for some, but work was one of my major stress sources.

    Take a high quality probiotc twice a day.  Jarrow (you can get it at Whole Foods) is a great brand.

    If you want more info about the food part google Brewers Diet.  Also, you can google about blood pressure and high protein diets.


    Lilypie - (ZESJ)Lilypie - (QAi1)

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