Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a condition that only occurs during pregnancy. Some symptoms may include high blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is often ruled out because of gestational hypertension. While high blood pressure during pregnancy doesn't necessarily indicate preeclampsia, it can be a sign of another problem. The condition affects at least 5-8% of pregnancies.

Who is at risk for preeclampsia?

A first-time mom
Previous experience with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia
Women whose sisters and mothers had preeclampsia
Women carrying multiple babies
Women younger than 20 years and older than age 40
Women who had high blood pressure or kidney disease prior to pregnancy
Women who are obese or have a body mass index of 30 or greater

What are the symptoms?

Mild preeclampsia: high blood pressure, water retention and protein in the urine.
Severe preeclampsia: headache, blurred vision, intolerance to bright light, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, urinating in small amounts, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, shortness of breath and tendency to bruise easily. Call your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, severe headache, stomach pain, and/or very infrequent urination.

How do I know if I have preeclampsia?

At each prenatal visit, your doctor will check your blood pressure, urine levels, and may order blood tests that can show if you have preeclampsia. Your doctor may also perform other tests, including: checking kidney function and blood clotting; an ultrasound to check your child's growth; and Doppler scanning to measure the efficiency of blood flow to the placenta.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on how close your due date is. If you are close to due date and the baby is mature enough, your doctor will likely want to deliver your baby as soon as possible.

If you have a mild case and your child is not yet fully developed, your doctor will likely recommend that you do the following:

Rest, lying on your left side to take the weight of the baby off your major blood vessels.
Increase prenatal checkups.
Consume less salt
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
Change your diet to include more protein

If you have a severe case, your doctor may try to treat you with blood pressure medication until you are far enough away to give birth safely, possibly with bed rest, dietary changes, and supplements.

How can preeclampsia affect the mother?

If preeclampsia is not treated promptly and correctly, it can lead to serious complications for the mother, such as liver or kidney failure and future cardiovascular problems.

It can also lead to the following life-threatening conditions:

Eclampsia is a severe form of preeclampsia that causes seizures in the mother.
HELLP syndrome is a condition usually occurring in late pregnancy that affects the breakdown of red blood cells, blood clotting, and liver function in a pregnant woman.

How does preeclampsia affect my baby?

Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood. If the placenta doesn't get enough blood, your baby gets less oxygen and food. This can lead to low birth weight. Most women can still give birth to a healthy baby if preeclampsia is detected early and regular prenatal care is provided.

How can I prevent preeclampsia?

There is currently no reliable way to prevent preeclampsia. Some factors that contribute to high blood pressure can be controlled and some cannot. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding diet and exercise.