Blood Pressure During Pregnancy: Why It Matters
Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in your life, but it’s no secret that it can come with risks that require careful monitoring. One of these risks is blood pressure problems; not only can your blood pressure change naturally during pregnancy, but high blood pressure can also lead to preeclampsia, one of the most serious pregnancy complications. Along with monitoring, a Rochester Hills chiropractor can help to effectively manage blood pressure and assist in preventing a high-risk situation from occurring.
Blood Pressure and Pregnancy Complications
Blood pressure is a measure of the force with which your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. While it can fluctuate throughout the course of the day, the general standard for normal blood pressure is 120/80, and both high and low pressures can present problems. When it is too high, it can lead to serious issues with the heart, including heart attacks and strokes. When it is too low, it can cause feelings of lightheadedness, blurred vision, fainting, fatigue, and more.
During pregnancy, high blood pressure can restrict blood flow to the placenta, cause placental abruption, and increase the risk of various injuries to both the baby and the mother. If high blood pressure develops after 20 weeks, it is considered preeclampsia and can be dangerous or even fatal if untreated. Low blood pressure during pregnancy can cause dizziness or fainting, nausea, headaches, heart palpitations, and more. While low blood pressure isn’t as serious of a concern as high blood pressure during pregnancy, it can still impact day-to-day life and overall well-being.
Your prenatal care should always include regular blood pressure checks, and even slight increases will be monitored to be sure they don’t worsen over time.
Chiropractic Care for Blood Pressure Management
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is often managed by a combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments. During pregnancy, this is even more vital to avoid preeclampsia and other associated complications.
Before or after high blood pressure arises, chiropractic care can help manage it and prevent future issues. While many factors impact blood pressure, one is the nervous system, which chiropractic care focuses on regulating. When the spine is aligned and the nervous system is operating at its full potential, every part of your body works more smoothly.
One of the biggest factors involved in blood pressure regulation is physical stress, which pregnancy can exacerbate. Managing muscle tension, posture changes, and pain levels during pregnancy can help remove the physical stress that may contribute to hypertension. Similarly, chiropractic adjustments can help increase blood circulation and level out blood pressure.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Rochester Hills
At Vitality Precision Chiropractic, we treat our pregnant practice members with special care to help them enjoy this time. Whether you are having blood pressure issues or simply want to prevent them from happening to improve your pregnancy experience, Dr. Thomas Madigan and Dr. Brendan Shanahan can help. Schedule your first appointment with us today to experience holistic care tailored to both you and your baby!