Preeclampsia is a serious multisystem syndrome during pregnancy, characterized by impaired placental function, inflammatory responses, and maternal metabolic risk factors like obesity, hypertension, and gestational diabetes. For pregnant women at high risk, managing diet and lifestyle is crucial, even when taking preventive medication.

While Aspirin is prescribed to prevent preeclampsia by preventing platelet aggregation, dilating blood vessels, and improving blood flow to the placenta, it only reduces the risk of severe preeclampsia by 40% to 60%. This underscores the importance of complementary lifestyle and dietary adjustments for high-risk expectant mothers.

Current evidence suggests that specific dietary patterns can reduce the risk of preeclampsia. The Mediterranean diet, for example, emphasizes plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, whole grains, fish, seafood, and extra virgin olive oil. Additionally, pregnant mothers should ensure a sufficient intake of high-quality protein from sources such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. This approach optimizes nutrient delivery to the fetus, thereby reducing the risk of low birth weight and malnutrition.

Controlling the intake of salty foods, sweets, and harmful fats is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as for managing inflammatory responses and preventing vascular damage. Adequate hydration, by drinking plenty of water, increases circulatory volume, improves blood flow to the placenta and kidneys, and supports the kidneys in excreting waste products. Supplementing with green vegetables and fruits provides antioxidants and minerals that protect blood vessels from damage.

To ease the digestive system's burden and prevent fatigue or sudden blood pressure changes, pregnant women should divide their meals into smaller portions. Choosing easily digestible foods is also recommended, avoiding large meals that can divert excessive blood flow to the stomach.

Beyond diet, appropriate physical activity is important. High-risk pregnant women should engage in exercises like: walking, yoga, or swimming. This improves blood circulation, promotes placental metabolism, and helps control weight. Prioritizing adequate sleep and stress avoidance further reduces the risk of peripheral vasoconstriction, ensuring optimal blood flow to the fetus.

These combined nutritional and physical activity interventions offer early protection, limiting the development of hypertension and proteinuria, and supporting the body's overall health during pregnancy.

Doctor Nguyen Hoang Long advises a pregnant mother. Illustration: Tam Anh General Clinic District 7.

Preeclampsia is a multifactorial condition, meaning maternal nutrition and metabolic status directly impact the placenta and blood vessels that Aspirin supports. This synergy creates an optimal dual protective effect, enhancing the benefits of medical intervention.

Regular prenatal check-ups are essential for early detection of any abnormalities. Preeclampsia typically appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can progress rapidly, posing a threat to both mother and baby if not treated promptly.

If you experience severe headaches, blurred vision or dizziness, upper abdominal pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or swelling in your face and limbs, seek immediate medical attention at a specialized facility for proper examination and intervention.

Doctor Nguyen Hoang Long

Fetal Medicine Unit

Tam Anh General Clinic District 7