Slow and Deep Breathing to Lower Blood Pressure in Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension
Slow and Deep Breathing to Lower Blood Pressure in Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension
This study evaluates the effect of slow and deep breathing on lowering blood pressure in
 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Slow and deep breathing will be practised daily
 for 10 minutes from enrolment until the woman gives birth. This feasibility study aims to
 investigate the practicality of conducting a proposed future randomised controlled trial.
In addition to the slow and deep breathing intervention the women will undertake a short
 protocol investigating the physiological responses to slow and deep breathing during their
 initial meeting. The women will undertake 4 separate 5-min breathing exercises with a 5
 minute rest period between each exercise. The breathing exercises are normal breathing, and
 fixed breathing frequencies of 4, 6 and 8 breaths per minute. Blood pressure, heart rate and
 breathing rate will be monitored continuously, and non-invasively, throughout each breathing
 protocol.

 The women will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the intervention and their
 experiences in an online survey at 36 weeks gestation.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Defined as "new hypertension
 presenting after 20 weeks of pregnancy without significant proteinuria (urinary
 protein:creatinine ratio greater than 30mg/mmol" by NICE guidelines (2010) OR
 diagnosed as having one-off high blood pressure but at risk of developing PIH;

 -  Single pregnancy;

 -  Capable of giving informed consent;

 -  Age over 18.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Under 18 years old;

 -  Referred immediately to obstetric-care after PIH diagnosis for an immediate
 intervention, with systolic blood pressure over 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure
 over 100 mmHg;

 -  Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.);

 -  Previous pregnancy. Defined as carrying a previous pregnancy until term or stillbirth;

 -  Current smoker;

 -  Current diagnosis of respiratory diseases; asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
 disease), bronchitis. (A previous occurrence or diagnosis that has not been present
 for longer than 1 year ago does not exclude participants, i.e. childhood asthma);

 -  Allergy/reaction to gel used on ECG tabs;

 -  Vulnerable participants who are unable to give informed consent.