Since I started the GI diet for my gestational diabetes my blood pressure has gone down a few points. It's not a no-carb diet, but my carbs are evenly spaced throughout the day and all come from whole grains, beans, or fruit. I have read that low-sugar diets can help blood pressure, but I don't think there have been a lot of studies about that. I think the biggest thing for me is that I don't eat out much at all any more. I'm pretty sure the decrease in sodium from that has helped my blood pressure. I don't think everyone is sodium-sensitive, so it doesn't work the same for everybody, but it couldn't hurt to reduce your sodium intake.

You should also keep in mind that there is a natural increase in blood pressure toward the end of pregnancy. 132/74 doesn't sound that bad to me (I'm not a doctor, of course).

One more thing.. are you checking your blood pressure at home? If you are going in for weekly NSTs & other stuff I would think they would have you check it at home, too. My blood pressure is always higher in the doctor's office, especially when I'm stressed out (I brought my cuff to the office to check early on in my pregnancy, and it reads the same as the doctor's cuff, so I know my home monitor isn't off).

Actually, a blood pressure of 130/70s is a good range. Especially at 30 wks. I would keep monitoring them of course and express your concerns to your doctors if you're really worried about it. I am currently 14 wks and my pressures are already in the 130/70's range and sometimes higher. I am hoping to make it to 28 wks (my first milestone) and then 32 wks (my second milestone) and hopefully get to 36 wks! One thing that really does help me is cutting out the salt in my foods. I swell something terrible when i eat alot of salt so I really am reading my labels more closely and trying to eat more natural foods. For me it seems to help. Hang in there you are almost to the finish line! Wishing you a healthy and safe pregnancy!

Mine was close to 140/90 around week 27 or so. My doctor put me on a low dose of labetalol and it has brought it down. It went to 100/60. But now its averaging 120/70 at home and close to 140/90 again at the doctor office. I can't help but wonder if I wasn't on the meds, how high would it be?
I have white coat syndrome as well. Every time I go to the doctor I have to convince myself to stay calm. I have major anxiety.
So far I see spots and take bp meds, but my swelling is "normal" and there has been no protein. The first time around I only had severe pitting edema and saw spots. I also had headaches that I thought were normal, none of them were debilitating, but hurt bad enough to take tylenol for.

Hi all,

I had preeclampsia with my 2nd child- showing signs at Week 32 1/2.

I am exactly Week 30 today with my 3rd pregnancy, and when I went in for my appointment today, I discovered my blood pressure has started to creep up (132/74, when it is normally average at 120s). My dr. did not put me on any meds YET.... (I am on Low dose Baby Aspirin), but I am beginning to panic-.

I know this is probably silly to ask- but did anyone find any additional techniques (prior to BP meds) that have helped to keep BP at bay- whether through diet changes (i.e. no coffee, no salt, etc.), or taking extra vitamins (i.e. I have heard that taking extra calcium can help).

Personally, for me, nothing mattered with #2, but I am just trying to avoid the unavoidable. IN a nutshell, I am panicking that next week when I go in (I am going in for weekly BP checks, NSTs, fluid checks, etc.), I will be facing bedrest (which I also found didn't make much difference for me-personally last time). I guess I was in so much hope that this w hoould not happen again, and certainly, not SOONER- I have 2 young kids at home and can't imagine how bedrest would even work!