Preeclampsia

A. What is preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy. With preeclampsia, you might have high blood pressure, high levels of protein in urine that indicate kidney damage (proteinuria), or other signs of organ damage.

Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, such as protein in the urine, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If it's not managed, it can harm you or your little one and lead to dangerous seizures (eclampsia). Preeclampsia usually goes away after your little one is born. But symptoms may last or appear after delivery.  

B. What are the physical symptoms of preeclampsia

Mild preeclampsia usually doesn't cause symptoms. But it could cause symptoms such as:

• Swelling of the hands and face that doesn't go away during the day.

• Rapid weight gain—more than 1 kg or 2 lb a week.

Severe preeclampsia can cause:

• A severe headache that will not go away with medicine such as acetaminophen.

• Blurred vision, light sensitivity, spots in the visual field, or periods of blindness.

• Decreased urination—less than 2 cups (500 mL) in 24 hours.

• Lasting belly pain or tenderness, especially on the upper right side.

• A change in mental state, such as confusion or anxiety.

• Trouble breathing, especially when lying flat.

• Seizures. Severe preeclampsia can lead to seizures (eclampsia). Eclampsia is dangerous for both you and your little one.

C. How is it diagnosed

Pre-eclampsia is usually found during a routine prenatal visit. That's one reason it's important to go to all of your prenatal visits. You need to have your blood pressure checked often. Your blood pressure is measured at each prenatal visit. A sudden increase in blood pressure often is the first sign of a problem.

You'll also be weighed and have a urine test at each visit to look for signs of pre-eclampsia. Women who are at high-risk for pre-eclampsia may have other tests too.

If tests suggest that you have pre-eclampsia, you'll be carefully checked for the rest of your pregnancy. Your little one's health also will be closely watched. The more severe your condition is, the more often you'll need testing. This might range from once a week to daily.

D. How is it treated

If you have mild preeclampsia, you will have frequent office visits. Your doctor or health care professional will check on your little one, monitor your blood pressure and weight, and do urine and blood tests. The health care professional may also want you to check your blood pressure at home. And you'll need to watch for symptoms of preeclampsia, such as a severe headache or vision changes.

If preeclampsia is severe or getting worse, you may need to be treated in the hospital. Your health care professional will closely monitor you and your little one. You may get medicines to lower your blood pressure and magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures. You also may get medicine to help prepare your little one's lungs for birth.

E. How might it impact birth

Your healthcare professional will try to deliver your little one when little one has grown enough to be ready for birth. But sometimes early delivery is needed to protect your health or your little one. If this happens, your little one will get special care for premature babies.

• If you are near full term or have severe preeclampsia, your healthcare professional will plan to deliver your little one as soon as possible.

• If you are less than 34 weeks pregnant and a 24- to 48-hour delay is possible, you will probably get corticosteroid medicine. This can help prepare your little one's lungs for birth.

A vaginal delivery is usually the safest way to deliver the little one. It is tried first, if you and your little one are both stable. A caesarean section (C-section) is needed if your preeclampsia is quickly getting worse or your little one can't safely handle labour contractions.

If you have moderate to severe preeclampsia, your risk of seizures (eclampsia) continues for the first 24 to 48 hours after childbirth. So you may keep getting magnesium sulfate after delivery.

Preeclampsia usually goes away after delivery. But sometimes symptoms may last or get worse after delivery. In rare cases, symptoms of preeclampsia don't show up until days or even weeks after childbirth.

If your blood pressure is still high after delivery, you may be given a blood pressure medicine. You will have regular checkups with your healthcare professional. If you didn't have high blood pressure before pregnancy, your blood pressure is likely to return to normal a few days after delivery.

After having preeclampsia, you have a higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. To protect your health, work with your healthcare professional to build heart-healthy habits and get the checkups you need.