Hypertension in Pregnancy: What Should I Do?

Firstly, it is important to remember that: do not restrict sodium intake in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders!

In cases of hypertension in normal people, sodium restriction is necessary to reduce blood pressure. However, the same strategy cannot be applied to pregnant women because sodium is required for normal fluid retention and blood volume expansion during pregnancy. Hence, a certain amount of sodium is still needed to give birth to a healthy baby. Therefore, the conclusion would be: consume sodium foods as recommended by Malaysia Dietary Guidelines (MDG) of not more than 2000mg per day, equivalent to 5 g of salt per day.

Calcium supplementation is also beneficial in treating hypertension in pregnancy. This is because calcium deficiency is one of the factors for preeclampsia. Studies have shown that calcium supplementation can reduce the severity of preeclampsia and also able to reduce the risk of getting preeclampsia. Calcium supplementation of 1500-2000 mg per day is recommended (WHO, 2011). 

According to menu planning guidelines by American Dietetic Association (ADA), pregnant women with hypertension should eat at least:

• 3 servings of whole grain products. Preferable with those fortified with iron to meet pregnancy needs
• 2-3 servings of vegetables. This includes at least 1 serving of dark green or orange vegetables that are rich in vitamin C content.
• 2 servings of fruits.
• 2-3 servings of lean meat, fish, or poultry.
• 3 servings of milk or dairy foods (low-fat or non-fat) to obtain adequate calcium and vitamin D.

What should pregnant women with hypertensive disorders avoid?

Pregnant women diagnosed with hypertension should avoid:

• Foods that are high in sodium especially processed meat, canned foods and salted foods.
• Alcohol. In fact, all pregnant women must not consume alcohol to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome in their infants.
• Excessive caffeine. Pregnant women should not take more than 4 cups of coffee per day.
• Raw or uncooked meat, fish, poultry, or eggs that can cause infections.
• Raw and unpasteurized milk and dairy products.
• Foods high in mercury such as shark and king mackerel that may lead to growth retardation in infant and even death. 
• Smoking.

Do You Know?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a mental and physical defect in infant due to alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy. Baby with fetal alcohol syndrome may have the symptoms and complications such as:

• Retarded growth in womb and after birth
• Muscle weakness and poor coordination
• Mental retardation
• Heart defects
• Infant death

Facial characteristics of a child with fetal alcohol syndrome:

(Source: A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia)