I came across a blog at Pregnancy Weekly’s Blog called Calcium May Prevent Hypertension In Pregnancy today, that I wanted to pass along. I was diagnosed with hypertension in all three of my pregnancies and luckily at the time didn’t realize the dangers that came with it. Here is a little of what they had to say………

"Gestational
hypertension, or high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy,
affects as many as 10 percent of all pregnancies in the United States.
This condition can threaten the life of the mother and cause serious
complications for the child, including preterm birth, low birth weight
and even stillbirth. It is estimated that over 40,000 women world-wide
will die from the complications of gestational hypertension this year.

It
seems, however, that a simple change in diet may lower a woman’s risk
of hypertension by as much as 67 percent. For poorer nations,
especially where dairy products are rare, calcium supplements may be a
simple and cheap way to prevent gestational hypertension."

I would have welcomed information like this when I think back about my own pregnancies years ago. Healthology has great information on the subject also…….

"Hofmeyr suggests that more research needs to be done to confirm the
benefit of calcium supplementation for pregnant women and also to
establish an appropriate dosage, but this treatment may be a safe,
simple solution to a deadly problem."

I am so glad to see studies going on to help with pregnancy related issues. We know that prevention is the best medicine. I believe carrying a child should be one of the best experiences of a woman’s life.