Q. I've heard that some women can develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. Are there dietary changes that can help?
A. “Pre-eclampsia, or high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy, develops in approximately 6 to 8 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. Maintaining a healthy weight before you become pregnant helps decrease risk for developing pre-eclampsia. Research suggests that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy may also help protect against developing high blood pressure. But there is a strong genetic link to high blood pressure (particularly the kind that develops during pregnancy), so some women develop it despite their best efforts at eating healthfully. Staying current with your prenatal visits can help your physician catch high blood pressure before it becomes a big problem. Your doctor may need to prescribe medication.”