Potential Complications:
Preeclampsia
Compiled by The Cradle Staff
hat is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia, also known as toxemia or pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), is a condition of high blood pressure, affecting 5-8% of first-time pregnant women. Preeclampsia can affect blood flow to the placenta, translating to less oxygen and nourishment for the baby, and possibly resulting in low birth weight. If not treated, preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia, a rare but dangerous condition that can sometimes prove fatal. Swelling from eclampsia can affect the brain, resulting in damage to the mother’s hearing, kidneys, liver, and blood-clotting system.
What can cause preeclampsia?
The exact cause is unknown, but there are theories on how to prevent it. (See below.)
How can I prevent it?
Some of the theories for preventing preeclampsia are:
- Avoiding rapid weight gain during pregnancy
- Exercising regularly
- Keeping hydrated
- Being well rested
- Lowering your sodium intake
- Elevating your feet
Am I at risk for preeclampia?
The following factors can affect your likelihood of developing this condition:
- If you are over 40
- If you are carrying more than one baby
- If there is preeclampsia in your family history
- If you had high-blood pressure before you became pregnant
- If you have a vitamin D deficiency
What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?
Sometimes there are no symptoms of this "silent" condition. However, if you do experience signs of a mild case of preeclampsia, they might be easily confused with pregnancy symptoms, i.e., headache, nausea, weight gain, and swollen extremities.
While most pregnant women suffer from swelling (edema) in their feet and ankles, swelling in your hands or face can indicate preeclampsia. Contact your doctor for an official diagnosis so that you can begin treatment, if necessary.
If you are experiencing swelling of the hands of face and aren’t able to see your doctor immediately, you can visit a local pharmacy that has a do-it-yourself blood pressure machine. You might be able to rule out high blood pressure.
If you have developed a more severe case, you might experience the following:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Pain in the upper-right abdomen
- Shortness of breath
- Bruising easily
How will I know if I have preeclampsia?
In most cases, your practitioner has been monitoring both your blood pressure and the presence of protein in your urine. If you haven’t been giving regular urine samples, your doctor will do a urine analysis if you are exhibiting other symptoms of preeclampsia. What s/he is looking for is the presence of protein. The more protein that is present, the more severe the condition. Additional blood tests might be performed to make a final diagnosis. Usually, preeclampsia won’t develop until halfway through pregnancy.
What if I develop preeclampsia?
Since you can’t really "cure" preeclampsia, your doctor will either want to deliver the baby (if you are close enough to your due date) or treat you so that you and the baby stay healthy until is it safe enough to deliver.
Will my baby be healthy?
If it is diagnosed early enough and treated, you should be able to deliver a healthy baby.
References: Preeclampsia Foundation, American Pregnancy Association, WebMD, Mayo Clinic
