Preeclampsia
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Regular prenatal care is essential for the prevention and early detection of preeclampsia.
Job stress (lack of control over work pace and the timing and frequency of breaks) may be detrimental, and reducing job stress may be beneficial in the prevention of preeclampsia.79 In a preliminary study, women exposed to high job stress were found to be at greater risk of developing preeclampsia and, to a lesser extent, gestational hypertension than were women exposed to low job stress. In this study, evaluation of job stress was based on scores assessing on-the-job psychological demand and decision-making latitude. High stress was defined as high psychological demand with low decision latitude, and low stress was defined as low-demand, high-latitude.80
For women with preeclampsia, obstetricians and midwives often recommend bed rest and lying on the left side; this position helps reduce edema and lower blood pressure by increasing urinary output.81However, a review of clinical trials concluded that bed rest can significantly worsen pregnancy-induced hypertension.82 Women with preeclampsia should discuss the pros and cons of bed rest with their doctors.