Interconception Care Project of California High Blood Pressure: After Pregnancy
About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, means that your heart must work harder to pump your blood through your body. High blood pressure may not make you feel sick, but not taking care of it can cause you to have a stroke, heart attack or kidney problems.
What Can You Do Now to Improve Your Health?
- Visit your health care provider regularly to check your blood pressure to make sure it is healthy. If your provider gives you medications, keep taking them. Tell your provider if you are breastfeeding so he or she can provide you with a safe medication.
- Quit smoking and don't drink alcohol.
- Ask your provider if your sleep could be affecting your blood pressure and if there are safe natural ays to get better sleep.
- Work slowly to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. If you were overweight before pregnancy, talk to your provider about losing weight gradually to get to a healthy weight.
- Ask for a referral to a nutritionist to help you improve your diet to manage your weight and lower your blood pressure.
- Increase your physical activity to at least 30 minutes on most days.
- Limit salt (sodium) and salty foods.
- Eat foods that will help your body and blood pressure: fruits and vegetables; low-fat or nonfat milk, yogurt, and cheese; whole grains like brown rice, corn tortillas and whole wheat bread; beans or tofu.
- Avoid fried food, oil, margarine, butter, and cream.
Should High Blood Pressure Change Your Plans to Have Another Baby?
This mainly depends on how well your kidneys are functioning to filter your blood. Your kidney function is measured by a blood test.
- If your kidneys show a lot of damage and you choose to get pregnant again, it may be risky for your health and your baby. Ask your health care provider about these risks.
- If you have mild kidney damage, talk to your provider to plan your next pregnancy.
- If you have no kidney damage, keep working on healthy lifestyle habits. Take your medications and vitamins; and talk to your provider about your future pregnancy plans.
Planning Ahead
To avoid an unplanned pregnancy, talk to your provider about your birth control options. People with high blood pressure should avoid estrogen- containing contraceptives (like “the Pill"), but your provider can recommend other contraceptives that are safe if you have high blood pressure. Getting your blood pressure under control and getting healthy before your next pregnancy can help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby.
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