Pre-eclampsia: the food factor

Stress can also play a big part in the development of pre-eclampsia. One recent Norwegian study found that women working in highly stressful and hectic work environments are nearly one and a half times more likely to develop pre-eclampsia than those who are not.

Stress raises catecholamine (stress hormone) levels. This in turn increases the production of free-radicals. Women working under these conditions might benefit from a nutritional programme designed to reduce free-radical damage, as well as instruction on stress-management, biofeedback or similar relaxation techniques.

What you can do

If you are at risk of pre-eclampsia, there are several positive things you can do, for example:

• Eat well and eat a variety of foods.
• Have an extra serving of a protein food each day
• Cut back on “anti-nutrients” such as sugar and saturated fats.
• Take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement and consider extra supplements of vitamins C and E (to bring your daily intake up to the effective level detailed above.
• Unless you are very obese, do not restrict you weight gain while pregnant. Instead take advice about sensible eating during pregnancy
• Drink to your thirst and salt to your taste
• Investigate ways to relieve stress through yoga, tai chi, meditation or a regular massage.

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