Preeclampsia - Gestational Hypertension (Nutrition Treatment/Management)

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Preeclampsia is a condition that occurs only during pregnancy. It occurs when a pregnant woman after week 20 of pregnancy has both high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia affects about 2-6% of healthy, first time moms.
<<<Symptoms>>>
High blood pressure, water retention: swelling feet and excessive edema and protein in the urine. Headaches, blurred vision, inability to tolerate bright light, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, urinating small amounts, pain in the upper right abdomen, shortness of breath, and tendency to bruise easily.
If you have these symptoms talk to your Doctor as soon as possible.
<<<Causes>>>
Poor diet both BEFORE and DURING pregnancy can increase the risk of preeclampsia. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, poor nutrition includes not eating enough protein, eating too much protein, and not getting enough of the antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables.
 
<<<Nutrition Treatment>>>
Preeclampia can be treated with Proper Nutrition. The presence of Protein in urine shows that you are protein deficient resulting in the tissues of the body metabolizing themselves to provide for your protein needs, specifically kidney tissue. Some of the protein that is broken down is excreted into the urine, which is why there will be protein in the urine. Blood pressure and edema (swelling) are due to poor mineral balance, specifically calcium/magnesium imbalance.
Eating foods rich in Protein: Meat, Fish, Milk, Egg, Cheese, Beans etc. and foods rich in both Calcium and Magnesium: Sardine,Tuna, Milk, Yoghurt, Dark Green Leafy vegetables (Kontomire, Spinach, Turnip greens, Broccoli, etc) will help manage and prevent complications from Preeclampsia.

Nutritious Food to boost Nutritional status before, during and after Pregnancy

"Red Red" one of the many names of Beans and Fried Plantain in Ghana is very nutritious.

Beans contain protein which is needed for body building important for pregnant women because the amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of your body's cells – and of your baby's body as well. It's important to get enough protein throughout your pregnancy, but especially during the second and third trimesters, when your baby is growing the fastest and your breasts and organs are getting bigger to accommodate the needs of your growing baby.

Don't forget to take an orange afterwards it contains Vitamin C which helps absorb iron in the beans. Iron is important for Blood formation and prevent Anaemia. In pregnancy iron is needed for expansion of Red Blood Cell mass, fetal iron, Placenta iron and to replace Blood loss during delivery.

These are some nutrient not all component and their estimated amounts:

Cooked beans (per 1 cup size) - Calories: 331, Fat: 14.9g, Carbohydrate: 36.94, Protein: 14.05g, Iron: 2.3mg

Fried Plantain (per 1 slice) - Calories: 68, Fat: 3.58g, Carbohydrate: 9.74g, Protein: 0.4g

Cooked Fish (per 28g) - Calories: 36, Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Carbohydrate: 0g, Protein: 7g