A recent study revealed that stretching exercises may be effective in reducing preeclampsia risk. In fact, the study shows that stretching may be even more effective than walking or other exercises for women who have had preeclampsia before or were inactive before pregnancy.

Preeclamspia -- or pregnancy-related high blood pressure -- is one of the top risks of pregnancy. Up to 8% of pregnant women experience the condition. During the study, 79 pregnant women who had had preeclampsia before and were inactive were assigned to different groups -- one group walked five times per week, another group followed a non-aerobic stretching exercise video. While almost 15% of the women in the walking group developed preeclampsia, less than 5% of those in the stretching group developed the condition.

If you're pregnant, talk to your OB/GYN about what exercises can be beneficial to your health and are safe during pregnancy.

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The many health benefits of vitamin D -- especially its positive effects on diabetes, heart health, breast and colon cancer -- are relatively well known. However, a recent study has found that -- especially for expectant mothers -- vitamin D could be even more important.

Most alarming is that mothers who have low levels of vitamin D are five times more likely to suffer preeclampsia during pregnancy -- a condition that raises blood pressure, causes swelling of the hands and feet, and can lead to fetal death.

As such, researchers have recommended that "Vitamin D supplementation in early pregnancy should be explored for preventing preeclampsia and promoting neonatal well-being."

Especially when you consider that 7 percent of first pregnancies are effected by preeclampsia, this seems like sound advice.

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Preeclampsia affects 5-8% of all pregnancies. The condition is marked by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in urine. Hypertensive disorders, including preeclampsia, are the cause of an estimated 76,000 deaths per year. In addition, preeclampsia is a leading cause of premature births.

A University of Sydney research team conducted a study that indicates prophylactic aspirin use could greatly reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. However, doctors are responding to this study with words of caution. Pregnant women should never self-medicate with aspirin as there are risks involved with long-term aspirin use. The decision to use aspirin during pregnancy should only be made after consulting with your doctor and weighing the benefits and risks involved.

For more information on preeclampsia, visit the Preeclampsia Foundation.