Preeclampsia is when you have high blood pressure and
protein in your urine during pregnancy. It can happen at any point after the
20th week of pregnancy, though in some cases it occurs earlier. You may also
have low clotting factors (platelets) in your blood or indicators of kidney or
liver trouble. This condition is also called toxaemia or pregnancy-induced
hypertension (PIH). Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia.
Eclampsia includes high blood pressure resulting in seizures during pregnancy.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of all pregnant women get
preeclampsia.
What causes preeclampsia?
Doctors cannot yet identify one single cause of
preeclampsia, but some potential causes are being explored. These include:
•genetic factors
•diet
•blood vessel problems
•autoimmune disorders
There are also risk factors that can increase your chances
of developing preeclampsia. These include:
•being pregnant with multiple foetuses
•being over the age of 35
•being in your early teens
•being pregnant for the first time
•being obese
•having a history of high blood pressure
•having a history of diabetes
•having a history of a kidney disorder
Nothing can definitively prevent this condition. Early and
consistent prenatal care can help your doctor diagnose it sooner and avoid
complications. Having a diagnosis will allow your doctor to provide you with
proper monitoring until your delivery date.
Symptoms of
preeclampsia
It’s important to remember that you might not notice any
symptoms of preeclampsia. If you do develop symptoms, some common ones include:
•persistent headache
•abnormal swelling in your hands and face
•sudden weight gain
•changes in your vision
During a physical exam, your doctor may find that your blood
pressure is 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
Urine and blood tests can also show protein
in your urine, abnormal liver enzymes, and platelet levels.
At that point, your doctor may do a nonstress test in their
office to make sure the foetus is moving normally. A nonstress test is a simple
exam that measures how the foetal heart rate changes as the foetus moves. An
ultrasound may also be done to check your fluid levels and the health of the foetus.
What is the treatment
for preeclampsia?
Delivery of your baby is the only cure for preeclampsia.
During pregnancy, your doctor will monitor and manage your
condition to ensure you and your baby stay healthy. If you’re at week 37 or
later, your doctor may induce labor. At this point, the baby has developed
enough and is only minimally premature.
If your preeclampsia is mild, your doctor may recommend:
•getting bed rest
•reducing your salt intake
•drinking more water
•making regular visits to the doctor
In some cases, you may be given medications to help lower
your blood pressure.
If your condition is serious, your doctor may want to admit
you to the hospital for more thorough monitoring. You might be given
intravenous (IV) medications to lower your blood pressure or steroid injections
to help your baby’s lungs develop quicker.
Delivery might be the only safe option if the preeclampsia
is severe enough to endanger the health of you or the foetus. This can be the
case even if your baby will be delivered prematurely. The signs of severe
preeclampsia include:
•changes in the foetal heart rate that indicate distress
•abdominal pain
•seizures
•impaired kidney function
•fluid in the lungs
You should see your doctor if you notice any abnormal signs
or symptoms during your pregnancy. Your main concern should be your health and
the health of your baby.
What are the
complications of preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia can be fatal for both mother and child if it’s
left untreated. Other complications can include:
•bleeding problems
•breaking away of the placenta from the uterine wall
•damage to the liver
Complications for the baby can also occur if they’re born
too early.
During pregnancy,
it’s important to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. This includes
eating a healthy diet, taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid, and going for
regular prenatal care check-ups. But even with proper care, unavoidable
conditions like preeclampsia can sometimes occur. This can be dangerous for
both you and your baby.
Talk with your doctor
about things you can do to reduce your risk of preeclampsia and about the
warning signs. If necessary, they may refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine
specialist for additional care.
