Pregnancy with High Blood Pressure

When I discovered I was pregnant with my second child, I was filled with joy... and fear. After a smooth first pregnancy, the unexpected diagnosis of high blood pressure during my second threw me for a loop. I remember my OB’s concerned look during my blood draw. I remember the rapid-fire questions: “How often are you checking your BP? Any headaches? Swelling? Vision changes?”

The whirlwind of appointments, charts, and anxiety became all-consuming. I felt like I was living in slow motion—constantly monitoring, calculating, and waiting for the next reading. That’s when I realized: I desperately needed a guide—a gentle, structured, trustworthy companion with me every day for those nine months.

That’s how Pregnancy with High Blood Pressure: How to Manage, Monitor, and Thrive was born. I created the exact resource I longed for: part planner, part journal, part advocate. This blog post is a glimpse into that book—my story, tips, and what you can do now to feel more confident in your high-risk pregnancy.

What Exactly Is High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, means the force of blood in your arteries is too high. During pregnancy, this can belong to one of three categories:

1. Chronic Hypertension – Pre-existing or diagnosed before 20 weeks

2. Gestational Hypertension – Appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy

3. Preeclampsia – High BP plus signs of organ stress like protein in urine, swelling, or severe headaches

In the book, I break down these definitions clearly, with normal vs. diagnostic thresholds (e.g., 120/80 vs. 140/90 mmHg) and everyday signs to monitor.

Why So Much Concern?

High blood pressure during pregnancy can:

• Increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and placental abruption

• Lead to serious complications, including preeclampsia or even eclampsia

• Raise the stakes at delivery, necessitating early induction or c-section

That’s why vigilance matters—daily tracking, nutrition, and rest can make a dramatic difference. In the eBook, I share practical strategies for managing these risks in a manageable way.

My Personal Checklist: From Panic to Peace of Mind

During my second pregnancy, I often felt reactive—scrambling for appointments, jotting readings on random scraps of paper, forgetting to rest. With my guide, I've built in daily and weekly checklists that helped me shift from panic to proactive:

Daily Routine

• Check BP first thing each morning and before bed

• Drink 8–10 glasses of water to support circulation

• Eat nutrient-rich meals with low sodium and high potassium

• Rest and elevate your feet when you feel tired

• Practice deep breathing or light prenatal yoga

These habits, though small, became daily anchors—moment-by-moment reminders to nourish my body and calm my mind.

Every week, I checked in with:

• How many headaches or dizziness episodes I had

• Whether I was swelling and where

• How the baby was moving

• My stress levels—and if they were creeping up

• Whether I brought my BP log to my OB visits

Including these in your routine transforms pregnancy into a proactive, personalized project, not a reactive adulting scramble.

A Peek Inside: Meals & Healing Nutrition

One of the most asked questions during high-risk pregnancies is, “What should I eat?”

In the book, I share a sample meal rotation crafted for balance, fetal nourishment, and delicious simplicity.

Back in that hospital room, I frantically tried to remember my BP trend. With this eBook, there's no guesswork. You’ll find a ready-to-print Blood Pressure Tracking Chart that helps you:

• Record date, time, BP readings, and notes—every day

• Notice trends before you feel overwhelmed

• Bring the log to appointments for structured conversation

Seeing your numbers in front of you brings clarity. And trust me—the peace this brings is worth its weight in gold.

The Emotional Journey: Journal Prompts That Matter

Pregnancy—especially a high-risk one—isn’t just physical or medical. It’s emotional. I needed a place to process my fears, my hopes, my exhaustion.

That’s why this guide includes:

• Weekly prompts, like “What’s one thing I’m grateful for this week?”

• A daily log section for mood, symptoms, baby movements, and food

Those prompts were lifesavers. Some weeks, the answer was “I’m proud I made it to the gym instead of spiraling.” Other weeks, it was “I cried—but I’m still here.” The takeaway: no emotion is invalid, and writing it down helps you spot patterns.

The Importance of Rest (Yes—it’s That Important)

When I was first told to “take it easy,” I resisted. I was running a household, juggling full-time work, caring for my toddler, and trying not to collapse. But when I learned that poor rest can worsen BP and increase anxiety, everything shifted.

In this eBook, I emphasize:

• Why sleep quality (8–9 hours + naps) matters

• Using a pregnancy pillow and elevating your legs

• Turning screens off 1 hour before bed

• Making brief rest sessions a daily priority

You’ll find a Rest Action Plan—simple reminders that helped me stop and breathe, and trust when I needed to do less to gain more.

When to Call Your Doctor—With Confidence

The world of high BP pregnancy is full of “call immediately” guidelines. But knowing what they mean can help you act decisively—not fearfully.

This guide spells it out:

🚨 Severe headache
🚨 Visual changes (light flashes, blurred vision)
🚨 Swelling in face or hands
🚨 Upper abdominal pain
🚨 Sudden weight gain or decreased fetal movement
🚨 BP readings above 160/110

You’ll know for sure when it’s a call—and when it might be a moment to rest, hydrate, and breathe deeply before reassessing.

This Book is More Than a Planner—it’s Your Pregnancy Partner

• Professionally written: Clear medical info with real-world details

• Personal touch: Born from my own journey of fear, hope, and triumph

• Customizable & printable: Use digitally or with a pen—your choice

• Visual and practical: Log pages, meal plan templates, journal layouts

Each section is designed to meet you exactly where you are—with compassion, clarity, and structure.

Who Is This eBook For?

• Moms dealing with high blood pressure (gestational, chronic, or preeclampsia)

• First-time moms feeling overwhelmed by blood pressure topics

• Returning moms seeking a more intentional, informed pregnancy journey

• Women wanting a holistic, supportive pregnancy resource — not just medical advice

If you’ve ever felt lost between doctor visits or worried you were "not doing enough"—this guide offers a steady hand, intuitive structure, and genuine encouragement.

You’ve got this, mama.

Your Girl, Doxa