Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure in pregnancy. It occurs in about 3 in 50 pregnancies and often starts in the second half of pregnancy. It normally goes away after your baby is born. 

The following factors my increase your risk of developing gestational hypertension:

• Having high blood pressure before pregnancy or with a past pregnancy

• Having kidney disease

• Having diabetes

• Being younger than 20 years of age or older than 40 years of age

• Bring pregnant with multiples, such as twins or triplets

• Being African American

High blood pressure in pregnancy can lead to other serious issues, such as pre-eclampsia (read our article for ways to reduce your risk of pre-eclampsia).

Signs of high blood pressure can include:

• Headache that doesn’t go away

• Edema (swelling)

• Sudden weight gain

• Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision

• Nausea or vomiting

• Pain in the upper right side of your belly, or pain around your stomach

• Making small amounts of urine

• Protein in urine

Ways to reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy:

1. Reduce low quality sodium and increase potassium — Women with gestational hypertension are often advised to lower their sodium (salt) intake. However, sodium is a necessary mineral during pregnancy. Aim to reduce or eliminate processed foods high in refined salt from your diet. And instead lightly season the whole and real food on your plate with a high quality sea salt or himalayan salt.

   The real concern is the sodium-potassium ratio. Potassium has a significant impact on blood pressure and most pregnant women struggle to meet the recommended intake. Include such foods as avocado, banana, beetroot, potato, sweet potato, pumpkin in your diet. (For recipe ideas, click here).

2. Exercise regularly to lower blood pressure. (Read our article on exercise during pregnancy).

3. Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation to reduce stress. (Refer to this article for other ways to reduce stress and anxiety during pregnancy).

4. Eat a balanced and nutritious diet throughout your pregnancy, ensuring adequate intake of calcium and magnesium via foods such as avocado, nuts, green leafy vegetables, kidney beans, legumes, broccoli, cabbage, seeds, fatty fish. (For recipes rich in essential pregnancy nutrients, click here).

5. Maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. Excessive weight gain may contribute to high blood pressure. (Refer to our article titled “How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?”).

6. Add one or more cloves of garlic to your diet every day as this may reduce high blood pressure by helping blood vessels to relax.

7. Stay well hydrated.

8. Avoid caffeinated beverages.

N.B. This information is designed to be used in conjunction with, and is not a substitute for, the advice of your doctor or health care practitioner.