REDUCe SEVERITY OF HYPERTENSION AND/OR PREECLAMPSIA

What is it?

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive and metabolic medical condition of pregnancy with severe consequences for mother and baby. Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and newborn deaths. Preeclampsia is defined by high blood pressure in pregnancy.

Hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 or an increase of 30 millimeters of mercury systolic or 15 millimeters of mercury diastolic over the client's lowest baseline blood pressure for two consecutive readings taken at least six hours apart.

The Arizona Department of Midwives requires a physician consultation for midwifery clients with protein in their urine of +1 or greater on two consecutive visits. 

What is the problem?

Left untreated, preeclampsia can result in maternal seizures, coma, organ shut down, and death. It can result in severe sickness and death of the baby. There is no known prevention strategy for preeclampsia. The only known cure of preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. However, employing a strategy for health can improve how one’s body handles the stress of preeclampsia and may also reduce the severity of preeclampsia. If you develop preeclampsia or hypertension your care will be transferred to a physician. 

Symptoms

• There may not be any
• Fatigue or generally not feeling well
• Swelling of face and neck
• Rapid reflexes, anxiety or jumpiness 
• Pain under the upper right ribcage, pain in the shoulder, or pain in the abdomen 
• Nausea, vomiting or excessive burping
• Visual disturbances, untreatable headache 

PREVENTION STRATEGY

• Maintain a diet primarily composed of protein, greens, vegetables and fruits- in that order
• Have a serving of Mama’s Oatmeal 3-7 times a week
• Add celery, garlic, cucumbers and zucchini to your diet
• Eat fresh vegetables and fruits instead of canned
• Eat sea vegetables or take a blue green algae supplement daily (Nori, kelp, spirulina)
• Eat a fruit or vegetable high in Vit. C daily and 500 mg of natural Vitamin C supplement daily 
• One serving of yogurt, kefir, pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso or soy sauce daily
• Eat 2-3 servings of calcium rich foods every day
• Eat sea vegetables or take a blue green algae supplement daily (Nori, kelp, spirulina)
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink 1/2 your weight in ounces of fluids every day.
• Avoid fast foods, junk food, soda, artificial sweeteners, pastries, sweets, white flour & sugar
• Take a 5,000 IU Vitamin D3 supplement daily (spray, no artificial colors or ingredients)
• Take a magnesium supplement daily
• Take a zinc supplement daily (on a full stomach) 
• Take a fish oil supplement up until the 34 week of pregnancy
• Get at least 15 minutes of outdoor time, daily
• Take a salt bath (1 1/2 c Epsom salt, 1 cup sea salt, 1/4 c baking soda) 3-7 times a week
• Get at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly- especially walking. POWER WALK!
• Orgasm at least 3 times a week
• Avoid toxic shampoos, conditioners, toothpastes, deodorants, body products and cleaners
• Bathe under the full moon, every month
• Smell your partners fragrant underarms (deodorant and antiperspirant-free) 1-3x per wk
• If you previously had preeclampsia, we have additional recommendations for you