Your Blood pressure during pregnancy needs to be well controlled to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby.
Blood pressure is the pressure made by the blood circulating around the body.
It needs to be within a healthy range of 90-119 over 60-79, especially during pregnancy.
Below that, you could suffer from hypotension which causes dizziness, fainting and makes you go into shock.
Above that it could lead to hypertension which puts you at risk from stroke, heart attacks and kidney failure.
In pregnancy it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia which is a potentially dangerous condition.
Symptoms are headache, spots before your eyes and a pain in your side under the ribcage.
It is important as a diabetic to keep an eye on your blood pressure and attend all your antinatal appointments as they look for protein in your urine as well.
Ways to keep your blood pressure down.
Take regular exercise.
Reduce your salt intake. (don't add salt to your food.)
Relax. Try yoga or meditation to relax and calm yourself.
Eat a healthy diet and cut out all the junk food.
It is important to look after yourself as a pregnant diabetic.
Always do your best to relax and avoid stressful situations.
Don't be afraid to say no to doing extra things that are inconvenient to you.
Your health and baby comes first.
At work speak to your boss about your workload. If you can handle it, fine, but if it is too much for you, don't be afraid to speak up.
Hopefully he/she will be understanding. If not go higher until the problem is resolved.
Ask friends and family members for help as well if need be.
If they are unsupportive cut down on the amount of time you spend with them as it will only increase your stress.
Have regular checks with your doctor as well and make sure you get a say in everything.
Make sure that you get plenty of rest.
High blood sugar in pregnancy can lead to pre-eclamsia.
Pre-eclampsia is a complication in pregnancy which could be deadly serious and even fatal for both mother and baby if not treated.
Symptoms are:
High blood pressure 120 over 80 or higher.
Spots in your line of vision.
Pain under your ribs.
Severe headache.
Any swelling and when you press your finger on and it leaves an imprint on the skin.
Nausea or vomiting.
Protein in the urine.
shoulder pain.
Lower back pain.
Sense that something is not right.
Feeling dizzy.
Numbness in the arms.
If you are suffering from just one of the symptoms on this list. Call your doctor instantly.
You can never be too careful and it could save your life. Make sure that your symptoms are properly investigated and that you have been tested.
The only cure for it is delivery of the baby.
Quite often, before delivery you may end up in hospital so they can keep an eye on you. They will give you blood pressure tablets and you will be expected to rest.
It can be a pain being in hospital when you are feeling that there is nothing wrong, but it is for the best.
If you do start to feel bad, you are in the right place.
The reason for that is pre-eclampsia is a condition that can go bad very quickly.
After delivery you will continue to be monitored and your blood pressure will have to go down and stay down for you to be in the clear.
You will still have to keep an eye on yourself as pre eclampsia can develop up to 6 weeks after delivery.
Pregnancy can be wonderful, but always make sure that you look after yourself.
If you sense that something is wrong always contact your doctor or midwife. It may turn out to be ok, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Knowing what is going to happen later on may well help with any fears you may have.
This should make sure that your blood pressure during pregnancy is under control.
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