Summary of Pre-Eclampsia Issues

This is not intended as a substitute for good care with someone who knows you
personally and is concerned with you as an individual. But I would like to offer some
general observations related to your letter in the online birth center news.

You have touched upon a very controversial topic in prenatal care. Historically, the three
great killers of mothers around childbirth have been eclampsia (convulsions of
pregnancy), infection, and hemorrhage. However, there is no real agreement as to the
causation of eclampsia or even as to the common pathway of events. It has never been
clearly defined as a disease, and even the various syndromes around it have had much
discussion among providers and consumers of health care. So you have a description of
symptoms that often occur together and in some cases lead to a final common pathway
producing disease, disability, and sometimes death.

The classic triad in what is commonly called pre-eclampsia (because of the belief, not
proven, that it will lead to eclampsia if not treated) is hypertension, edema, and
albuminuria. For generations women presenting during pregnancy with any one of these
symptoms were treated as if they were ticking time bombs, ready to explode. And,
women who had much more ominous symptoms (like epigastric or liver pain, jaundice,
visual changes, unrelenting headaches, hyperreflexia) were ignored if they didn't have the
classic symptoms.

Recently it has been learned that some of the most ominous warning signs of impending
disaster can be found primarily through lab tests, for example decreased platelet levels,
increased uric acid, wacky liver function tests. This would point to the syndrome(s) being
concerned more with liver function than with kidney function, as often had been thought
in the past. And there may be an immunological factor as well, and maybe even a
hereditary factor. But the reality is that very few people are doing research of any quality
on these issues, because they haven't even clearly defined their terms! How can they talk
to each other if they don't know what they mean?

An OB named Tom Brewer had a theory that there is a specific syndrome among all this
mishmash of conditions. He called it metabolic toxemia of late pregnancy. He proposed
that the liver was overloaded by the stress of detoxifying the normal load of pregnancy
(hormones, waste products of mom and babe, etc.) and that poor nutrition was a major
contributor to this overload. In particular, insufficient calories caused the body to burn
protein for fuel (instead of burning carbohydrates or fats). Or, conversely, sufficient
calories but without adequate protein would deprive the liver of the raw material needed
to metabolize and excrete the normal byproducts of metabolism and detoxification.
Insufficient albumin in the bloodstream causes the plasma to leak into the tissues (a
phenomenon known as third-spacing, commonly seen among alcoholics with liver
damage, victims of kwashiorkor, and women with severe pre-eclampsia) and the visible
symptom of this is edema. Also, inadequate nutritional support for the liver can lead to
damage in the basement cells of the kidney, causing much needed albumin to be excreted
instead of recirculated. Most traditional practitioners, especially OB/GYNs, have a knee-
jerk negative reaction to Dr. Tom, but if you have studied any physiology I urge you to
read his book and think about it for yourself. His theories don't explain every case, but he
makes a clear call for being a good diagnostician.

Well, all you have right now is elevated blood pressure, so what does this have to do with
you? Because you are pregnant, I bet that every one you have seen about this is blaming
the hypertension on your pregnancy, and is foreseeing that you will eventually get pre-
eclampsia. I would also wager that no one has done any kind of diagnostic work up to see
if there could be something else making your blood pressure rise. Could it be stress? Is
your blood pressure high when you are at home, or only at the office? Are you having to
work long hours? Are finances an issue? think about all the changes going on in your life.
Are you getting enough exercise? Are you doing things just to please yourself? I could go
on and on about these issues but I think you get the picture.

Please also remember that if you are not getting the care you think is appropriate, you
always have the right to get another opinion from a second provider.

Your relationship with your primary prenatal provider needs to be based on trust and
good communications...both directions.

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH)

See also:

• Calcium/Protein
• Diet for High Blood Pressure
• Water Immersion Reduces Blood Pressure

Subsections on this page:

• About Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) aka Pre-Eclampsia aka Toxemia

• Causes of PIH
• Diagnosing Toxemia
• Treating Toxemia
• Deep Water Immersion for High Blood Pressure
• Calcium for PIH/Pre-Eclampsia
• Protein for PIH/Pre-Eclampsia
• Vitamins C, E and A for Eclampsia
• Herbs/Homeopathics/Misc for Eclampsia
• HELLP - severe sequela of PIH

About Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) aka Pre-Eclampsia aka Toxemia

Placental Defect May Cause PIH/Eclampsia

Stress increases pregnancy risks.

The following article cites the critical time when interventions to decrease stress should
be implemented. One positive approach would be the use of hypnotherapy techniques
and/or relaxation techniques, started early on in pregnancy. One problem is many of these
folks aren't interested in these techniques. Glad to see more research to support the things
I've believed for years.

(Reuters) Two studies shown high-stress occupations triple the risk of pregnancy-induced
hypertension, and high levels of personal stress in pregnant women double the risk of
premature birth. Drs. Landsbergis and Hatch say pregnancy-induced hypertension
occurred independently of a number of factors, including parity, amount of physical work
involved in the job and total hours of paid work. "In particular, was associated with low
decision latitude and low job complexity among women in lower-status jobs," the Cornell
researchers report. In a study conducted by researchers at Aarhus University in
Copenhagen Dr. Morten Hedegaard and others report that: "Women who had one or more
highly stressful life events had a risk of preterm delivery 1.76 times greater than those
without stressful events... was observed primarily with events experienced between the
16th and 30th week of gestation." Epidemiology 1996:7:339-345, 346-351.

Underlying Disease

Pre-eclampsia which recurs or which arises in a subsequent pregnancy without occurring

first time round is more commonly associated with underlying disease - renal, essential
hypertension, auto-immune, thrombogenic disorders. There may be a case for screening
these women for auto-immune and thrombogenic diseases after pregnancy ( > 6 weeks
post- partum ), especially if they're planning another - if positive low-dose aspirin,
steroids or heparin may have a role, not to mention preventive measures for general
health.

Semen May Prevent Pre-Eclampsia

Another study referred to ( referenced elsewhere in this thread ) showed ( as I recall ) pre-
eclampsia to be more common in short duration relationships than in longer one's in
multips also. A number of studies have shown PE to be more common in multips with
new partners than women sticking with the same partner.

In regards to a recent post that mentioned research published in the last year about
immunological intercourse preventing pre-eclampsia:
I have a copy of a couple of articles about this subject that were published in Lancet 344:
8 Oct 94 #8928. One is found on page 969, and is titled: Does immunological intercourse
prevent pre-eclampsia?

The other article is page 973 and 975, and is titled: Association of pregnancy-induced
hypertension with duration of sexual cohabitation before conception.

Lastly, there was an article published in Science news 146: 246, dated 15 Oct 94. This
article basically sums up what is in the articles in Lancet. This article's concluding
paragraphs say (and I quote):

"Something in male ejaculate may help protect a woman from pre-eclampsia - - If she's
been repeatedly exposed to it, says David A. Clark of McMaster University in Hamilton,
Ontario. Researchers don't know whether the sperm itself, the accompanying white cells,
or the nourishing liquid called seminal plasma is responsible for the shielding effect.

Such a concept is not as far-fetched as it may sound. For example, scientist already know
that substances from the father lead to a beneficial immune response in the mother that
helps sustain a healthy placenta. In pre-eclampsia, blood flow through the placenta in
inadequate. -K.A. Fackelmann"

Diagnosing Toxemia

Hormone Test for Eclampsia

Make sure you check her hemoglobin because if she doesn't have a contracted
hemoglobin then she isn't toxic. There have to be other things in place before she would
have toxemia. I have had clients who had high BP and protein and swelling and no
contracted blood volume so no toxemia. Have her eat a very high protein diet and see
what happens. Usually this will correct the protein problem.

What are your experiences using deep tendon reflexes in management of pih?

It's been several years since I did a thorough investigation of this, in association with a
case where an L&D nurse thought the clonus much more significant than I did.
Generalized hyperreflexia can be a normal result of labor. Because it is a highly non-
specific and insensitive finding, no authoritative case definition of pre-eclampsia uses the
presence or absence of hyperreflexia to contribute to the diagnosis. (I'll append below the
list I've sent here before, with the repeated caution that it was assembled several years
ago and newer versions may have superseded these. I also have not gone through and
niced up the line formatting, non-ASCII characters, etc. I believe that this is also now on
the list's web site.)

IMHO, it is a test that should not be performed, as it does not contribute information of
sufficient quality to base a clinical decision on.

OBGYN.net - Definitions of Preeclampsia

Treating Toxemia

Preventing Pregnancy Induced Hyptertension (PIH)

"I know PIH far too well... Here's what has worked for me, but others should research for
themselves to see what works.

1. Drink water, drink some more, and drink some more. You'll know the bathrooms
around town like no one else. We're talking 2+ quarts/day.
2. Up your protein to 80 - 100 mg, a day.
3. Calcium... up that as much as possible, combining w/ magnesium.
4. Take baths w/ Epsom salts (the magnesium helps)
5. Visualizations and affirmations (sounds corny, but if you can visualize your blood
pressure going down and your body relaxing, it CAN help)
6. Eat a cucumber each day; as well, bananas help with potassium, too, so eat one/day.
7. Herbs like Passionflower help relax the circulatory system. Uva Ursi helps reduce
edema, but talk with an herbalist/midwife before consuming.
8. I also take Grape seed extract (w/ some vit E and C) and garlic capsules and Evening
Primrose Oil.
9. Stop wearing a bra. I have no scientific evidence to support this, but relaxing the chest
area from a tight fitting bra can help relax everything.
10. Chiropractics

Also: spend at least 30 mins a day in a pool. Studies have shown that full body immersion
(in a pool, not a tub) for 30+ minutes a day will help bring the BP down." -Heather
McCue

Report of the Canadian Hypertension Society Consensus Conference: 2.

Nonpharmacologic management and prevention of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Moutquin JM, Garner PR, Burrows RF, Rey E, Helewa ME, Lange IR, Rabkin SW
CMAJ 1997 Oct 1;157(7):907-919
Evening Primrose Oil and Fish Oil to Prevent PIH

Effects of a combination of evening primrose oil (gamma linolenic acid) and fish oil
(eicosapentaenoic + docahexaenoic acid) versus magnesium, and versus placebo in
preventing pre-eclampsia.
D'Almeida A, Carter JP, Anatol A, Prost C
Women Health 1992;19(2-3):117-131

In the Dec. 1997 issue of Journal Watch/Women's Health, there is a synopsis of a Lancet
article on Ketanserin, an antihypertensive drug that also prevents platelet aggregation and
its ability to reduce the rate of preeclampsia. In the study of 138 pregnant women with
diastolic BP higher than 80 before 20 weeks, some were given ASA and Ketanserin, the
rest given ASA and placebo. The rates of preeclampsia were higher with placebo (19%
vs 3%). Delivery was significantly earlier with placebo (mean 36.2 vs 37.6 wks) and
mean birthweights in babies born between 28-34 weeks was significantly lower with
placebo (2791 vs 3074 g). There were 6 perinatal deaths in the placebo group and 1 in
the Ketanserin group, but this was nonsignificant (!).

Anyway, I have never heard of this before - does anyone know if this drug is being used
anywhere in the U.S.?

In my state a rise of 30 systolic and/or a rise in diastolic of 30/15 on 2 occasions is an

indication for a consult. Of course, I start on
125 g of protein and 2000 mg of ca++ and 3 qts h2o- probably the same as you- after the
1st high bp. I've only had one mom not respond, so the second bp is usually back to nl.

There is an article by Anne Frye in MT#35 called TURNING TOXEMIA AROUND.

Here, Anne says two things in regard to protein in the urine: (1) Minor degrees of
proteinuria frequently occur during pregnancy due to the increased filtration rate of the
kidneys and is not a problem.... (2) Proteinuria appears as toxemia becomes most severe,
not in its early stages, and indicates the kidneys are being severely stressed. However, as
mentioned previously, the majority of proteinuria cases in pregnancy is related to vaginal
discharge, urinary tract infection, or is benign.

Does anyone out there know anything about cream of tartar taken by the teaspoonful
being a picnoginol source?

I use 2 t cream of tartar with the juice of half a lemon taken 3 days skip a day repeat to
treat high blood pressure. It will drop the pressure about 20/10 right away.

Nonpharmacologic Management of Hypertension

Deep Water Immersion for High Blood Pressure

As the Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy reminds us, "Although treatment of

hypertension does not strike at the basic disorder, it may still benefit the mother and the
fetus. One of the important objectives in severe hypertension in pregnancy is to reduce
blood pressure in order to avoid hypertensive encephalopathy and cerebral haemorrhage."

[The diuretic effect of a bath. Study in healthy pregnant females and patients with edema
and gestosis]
Schnizer W, Mesrogli M, Seichert N, Schops P, Knorr H, Schneider J, Wassmann M
Zentralbl Gynakol 1989;111(13):864-70

A comparison of bed rest and immersion for treating the edema of pregnancy.
Katz VL, Ryder RM, Cefalo RC, Carmichael SC, Goolsby R
Obstet Gynecol 1990 Feb;75(2):147-51

Effect of daily immersion on the edema of pregnancy.

Katz VL, Rozas L, Ryder R, Cefalo RC
Am J Perinatol 1992 Jul;9(4):225-7

Influence of head-out water immersion on plasma renin activity, aldosterone, vasopressin

and blood pressure in late pregnancy toxaemia.
Kokot F, et al. (Proc Eur Dial Transplant Assoc. 1983)

Renal responses to immersion and exercise in pregnancy.

Katz VL, et al. (Am J Perinatol. 1990)

[Effect of exercise in water on maternal blood circulation].

Asai M, et al. (Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi. 1994)

Fetal and uterine responses to immersion and exercise.

Katz VL, et al. (Obstet Gynecol. 1988)

Continuous measurement of blood pressure, heart rate and left ventricular performance
during and after isometric exercise in head-out water immersion.
Fujisawa H, et al. (Eur J Appl Physiol. 1996)

Interstitial and intravascular pressures in conscious dogs during head-out water

immersion.
Miki K, et al. (Am J Physiol. 1989)

My daughter is 37 weeks pregnant, and having BPs, this week for instance, 136/100, and
thereabouts. Generalized edema, 2+ reflexes, trace protein, no headaches. The midwife
said she needs to get into water (pool) up to her neck and soak twice a day. It really helps
the BP after swimming and floating around in the pool, her BP is 98/62........Of course
she is resting on her side a lots, and not going to work any more. No shopping, just
'makin a baby'.

Calcium for PIH/Pre-Eclampsia

Ran across this weblink through the Perinatal List: it has information regarding the
McMaster's University study on PIH reduction through increased Calcium intake during
pregnancy (recommendation of 1,500 to 2,000 mg. daily). Offhand, the numbers look
good to me.

Problem is, it's a meta-analysis, which means that they took a bunch of small RCT's,
assessed their quality and crunched the numbers therein. Although meta-analyses can be
quite valid, and certainly indicators of where to look next, they can also be flawed.
There's certainly some controversy about their usefulness (although that's essentially
what the Cochrane database is). In this case, a more recent RCT published in the New
England Journal of Medicine last July which enrolled 4589 women appears to
demonstrate that calcium supplementation does not prevent pre-eclampsia. I haven't read
either work at source, so can't comment further than that. But it does demonstrate that
you have to be careful about what you accept as an authoritative source. To me, this is
one of the fascinating things about research.

Study Shows Calcium Doesn't Reduce PIH/Eclampsia

I have the perfect "cure" for PIH with almost total

compliance...................ready..................................... ...........................................................
....M I L K C H O C O L A T E .................CALCIUM AND
MAGNESIUM............................. now about the dose!

The article quotes JAMA -- A new Canadian study analysed 14 calcium trials (1966 to
1994) and finds strong evidence that calcium supplementation "results in an important
reduction in blood pressure and pre- eclampsia.. in pregnant women".

Drs. McCarron and Daniel Hatton from OHSU are quoted in an accompanying editorial
-- McCarron says that 2000 milligrams of calcium would be closer to our needs than is
the government-NIH recommendation of 1500.. and he says the average US woman
enters pregnancy consuming only 600 milligrams a day!, prenatals contain only 200
milligrams of calcium.. McCarron is quoted "I tell women that at a bare minimum they
need to be getting at least another 1,000 milligrams of calcium from a calcium- carbonate
supplement every day during pregnancy".

Now we all 'know" that there are probably better sources of calcium than calcium
carbonate[grin].... but the research was DONE with calcium carbonate so it clearly
absorbs well enough to show an effect -- It works! If we can recommend something
better than we should, but I hate to hear people say "calcium carbonate is worthless" or
"calcium carbonate doesn't absorb" or "calcium carbonate is a poor source of calcium"..
(and I do hear this pretty often; calcium carbonate has a bad reputation around
here[Grin]). There may be better sources, but it must absorb "well enough" because it
does work to reduce blood pressure and the incidence of pre-eclampsia.

Questions..... Would anyone with a nutritionist background like to translate this "2000
milligrams" into servings of milk/dairy/broccoli/whatever? Can a non-dairy user get
enough calcium without supplementation, and if not, which supplements would you
recommend over calcium carbonate (and why?)?

Experts Urge Pregnant Women: Get Your Calcium! This point was supported in an
accompanying editorial written by David A. McCarron, M.D., Co- Director of the
Calcium Information Center, Co-Head of the Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and
Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Oregon Health Sciences University and an
accomplished hypertension researcher in his own right. "There is a calcium crisis in this
country ," said Dr. McCarron. "The most recent government survey shows that women of
child-bearing age are consuming less than 600 mg of calcium a day, with many getting
less than 400! The pre- natal vitamins most doctors prescribe just don't make up the
difference -- they contain 200, maybe 300 mg of calcium. The bottom line is that
pregnant and lactating women should increase their calcium intake to recommended
levels through dietary means whenever possible, by including low-fat dairy products
(such as milk, cheese, yogurt), certain dark green vegetables (such as broccoli and kale),
and making up the difference by adding a reliable calcium supplement.

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION REPORTS: CALCIUM

DURING PREGNANCY COULD SAVE LIVES

A woman's need for meeting the current recommended levels of calcium just took on new
urgency. In today's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), scientists
from McMaster University (Ontario, Canada ) report that consuming sufficient calcium
during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and pre-
eclampsia, a potentially fatal disorder of high blood pressure and kidney failure.
Pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia affect up to one in seven American
women and are leading causes of c- sections, pre-term births and low birth-weight babies,
making them among the most important issues in pregnancy care.
The most extensive summary of randomized controlled trials in this area to date,
McMaster researchers reviewed the data from 14 trials involving nearly 2,500 pregnant
women. The compelling results indicate that 1,500 to 2,000 mg daily of calcium
supplementation can lower the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension by 70% and the
risk of pre- eclampsia by over 60%!

Experts Urge Pregnant Women: Get Your Calcium! This point was supported in an
accompanying editorial written by David A. McCarron, M.D., Co- Director of the
Calcium Information Center, Co-Head of the Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and
Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Oregon Health Sciences University and an
accomplished hypertension researcher in his own right. "There is a calcium crisis in this
country ," said Dr. McCarron. "The most recent government survey shows that women of
child-bearing age are consuming less than 600 mg of calcium a day, with many getting
less than 400! The pre- natal vitamins most doctors prescribe just don't make up the
difference -- they contain 200, maybe 300 mg of calcium. The bottom line is that
pregnant and lactating women should increase their calcium intake to recommended
levels through dietary means whenever possible, by including low-fat dairy products
(such as milk, cheese, yogurt), certain dark green vegetables (such as broccoli and kale),
and making up the difference by adding a reliable calcium supplement (like TUMS(R)) .
This simple, yet significant intervention could save thousands of lives and billions of
dollars every year if employed by all women of child-bearing age."

Calcium Information Center To reach a healthcare professional regarding today's news

about the importance of calcium during pregnancy, phone the CIC CALCIUM
INFORMATION LINE -- 1-800-321-2681. Established in 1991, The Calcium
Information Center is a component of the Clinical Nutrition Research Units of the New
York Hospital--Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
and Oregon Health Sciences University.

To receive a fax of further information on this study, call toll free, 1-800-753-0352, ext.
707, or contact Anne FitzSimons, 212-326-9800.

The study linking high intake of milk during pregnancy to pre-eclampsia was published
in the American Journal of Epidemiology, April 1, 1995.

Protein for PIH/Pre-Eclampsia

I was recently told of a study where women on a high protein diet (about 70-80 g I
believe) had a significantly smaller incident of pre-eclampsia than the average ( 0.5%
compared to 17%). Does anyone know anything about this study and if it exists?

Tom Brewer MD has written several books covering this. I suggest reading his book
"Metabolic Toxemia of Late Pregnancy: A disease of mal- nutrition" Keats Publishing
1982. I think you still can purchase this through Cascade Birthing Supply PO Box 12203,
Salem, Or 97309 phone [503] 443-9942. Other sources of knowledge on this topic are
most of the direct entry midwifery community (it has been standard practice for most of
us to Rx a 100g protein diet as a preventive for years). In your reading of Brewer please
note that he had great success with REVERSING the pre-eclampsia process utilizing
increased fluids (gallon of water a day) salting of food to taste and protein. My sources
list the toxemia hot line [Tom Brewer MD] as [603] 778 1476 or 66 High Street, Exter,
NH 03833 USA

Other documents/presentations: James,Dawn, "New Thoughts About Pre-eclampsia"

presentation 9/15/89 Royal College of Medicine, London Eng. Available thru President,
Pre-eclamptic Toxemia Society, Ty Iago, High Street, LLANBERIS, Caerarvon,
Gwynedd, LL55 4HB, England.

Vitamins C, E and A for Eclampsia

Research suggests that vitamin C and possibly vitamin E and betacarotene may be
instrumental in preventing preeclampsia. When researchers measured the levels of these
antioxidants in the blood of 30 women with preeclampsia and 44 women without, the
found those with preeclampsia had much lower levels.

The body relies on vitamin C to fend off the free radicals that injure blood vessels in the
uterus and placenta and trigger the high blood pressure and swollen tissues that
accompany the disease. Antioxidants may be more important in prevention than in
treatment; adequate levels going into pregnancy could keep free radicals outnumbered.

[From Prevention, March, 1994, as reported in the ICAN of San Diego Newsletter]

HerbsHomeopathics/Misc for Eclampsia

According to Susun Weed in her book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
Crataegus (Hawthorn Berry) is a strong and relatively safe vasodilator. "[hawthorn]
berries work cumulatively and are taken for extended periods for best results. Essential
hypertension then, rather than gestational hypertension, is the focus of Hawthorn berry
use. The standard preparation is a cold infusion: one ounce of crushed dried berries
steeping in two cups of cold water overnight brought quickly to a boil, strained and taken
in sips, one cup per day , every day. The tincture dose is 15 drops, two or three times
daily."

Here's what Weed recommends for hypertension in order of strength (and probably
toxicity):
 • biofeedback and positive affirmations and visualizations. Take a few deep breaths
and repeat several times daily "My blood pressure is normal. I am at peace."
• yellow, overripe cucumbers -- 1/2 cup of juice or one raw, fresh cucumber daily
• Garlic, Parsley (<-- use caution in pregnancy as parsley is a very mild
emmenagogue), and onions. Large quantities of raw garlic is supposed to obtain
the best results.
• juice of half a lemon or lime plus two teaspoons of cream of tartar in on half cup
water taken once a day for three days. Can repeat dose after a two day rest.
• Hops (Humulus lupulus), but only during the last two trimesters due to hormonal
precursors. [If you choose this, try it with lots of lemon grass and fresh cracked
coriander to slightly offset the bitterness.)
• Pasiflora (Passion Flower) Two to four capsules or 15 drops of tincture daily is
reported by some to successfully control hypertension. Best results are after a few
weeks
• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) Weed's favorite for any tension related problem
(mine too for myself)According to Weed the infusion is much more effective (I
guess a standard one oz in quart of boiling water capped and infused for at least 4
hours) than the tincture. She recommends one or two cups daily.
• Hawthorn Berries (see top paragraph)

Weed also recommends Dandelion, eating lots of fresh leaves, for to prevent and treat
preeclampsia, due to its high mineral content and the fact that it also contains choline, an
alkaloid that support healthy liver function (and Tom Brewer links preeclampsia to
abnormal liver function).

Weed also mentions nettles and raspberry leaf teas to tone and nourish in general (nettles
are especially good for kidneys). And raw beet juice (up to 4 oz daily) or a raw salad of
equal parts of one freshly grated raw apple and one grated raw beet. Raw beet is the
fastest and most effective way to naturally increase available calcium to the body and it
balances the sodium/potassium ratio of your blood. Plus the salad tastes really good,
especially with walnuts added -- no dressing required!

She only recommends valerian root for elevated bp IN THE CONTEXT OF BEING IN
LABOR (along with hops and skullcap -- she recommends a handful of each valerian
root, hops and skullcap in a quart jar, steeped for two hours to temporarily lower bp).

Of course there's also taking an extra b complex vitamin in addition to your regular
prenatal vitamins, high protein, NOT limiting salt, etc. for preeclampsia.

I have seen a study where EPO was shown to reduce the incidence of PIH. The study was
conducted on the Farm, and it was a double-blind, placebo controlled study. I'm so sorry
that I don't have the reference for it. Maybe someone else has seen it?

The researchers attributed the decreased incidence of PIH to the essential fatty acids in
EPO, however, instead of to the prostaglandin precursors.
I have personally used the cream of tartar recipe in Susan Weed's book. Once a day put 2
t of cream of tartar in the juice of half a lemon (reallemon works too) with a little water.
Drink that for three days skip a day and repeat for three days. It drops my bp about 15/10
after one day.

Gemmotherapy (from plant buds) for Hypertension, from Dolisos

English Hawthorne (Crataegus Oxycantha) Young Shoots 1DH: 50 drops in the morning
European Olive (Olea Europea) Young Shoots 1DH: 50 drops in the afternoon
Black Poplar (Populus Nigra) Buds 1DH: 50 drops in the evening

Epsom Salts/Egg Nog

Take ice cream, milk, 2 tbs non-fat dry milk, 2 raw eggs, tsp vanilla and beat into a milk
shake (thin). It tastes quite yummy. I have them follow the salts with it as the salts taste
quite bitter and found that in doing it this way, it seems to immediately bring down the
b/p. [NOTE - Be sure you can trust your source of raw eggs to be free of salmonella.
Also, note that it is important to take the epsom salts WITH the egg nog.]

HELLP - severe sequela of PIH

The acronym stands for: H - hemolysis: breakdown of red cells in vessels in vasospasm
from high blood pressure; EL - elevated liver enzymes, SGOT and LDH; think liver
congestion and symptom of epigastric pain; LP - low platelets; used up in damaged
vascular endothelium; risks for bleeding and DIC.