Understanding Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition that can happen in pregnancy. It includes high blood pressure (hypertension), swelling, and signs of organ problems. It can show up around week 20 of pregnancy. In some cases it can develop after the baby is born. This is called postpartum preeclampsia. It can lead to serious health risks for you and your baby. During your pregnancy, your healthcare provider will watch your blood pressure.
Dangers of preeclampsia
If not treated, preeclampsia can cause problems for you and your baby. The placenta is the organ that nourishes your baby. It may tear away from the wall of the uterus. This can put the baby at risk for health problems (fetal distress). It can put the baby at risk for preterm birth. Preeclampsia can also cause these health problems in you:
- Kidney failure or other organ damage
- Seizures
- Stroke
Who’s at risk for preeclampsia?
No one knows what causes preeclampsia. It can happen in any pregnant person. But there are things that increase your risk. You may need to take a daily low dose of aspirin if you are at risk for preeclampsia.
You’re at higher risk for preeclampsia if you have any of these:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Autoimmune disease such as lupus
- A family history of preeclampsia
You’re at higher risk if any of these apply to you:
- This is your first pregnancy
- You are having twins or more
- You’re under age 18 or over age 40
- You used in vitro fertilization
- You are Black
And you’re at higher risk if you had any of these in a past pregnancy:
- Preeclampsia
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
- Preterm birth
- Placental abruption
- Fetal death
Signs and symptoms
A common sign of preeclampsia is high blood pressure. Other signs and symptoms may include:
- Fast weight gain
- Protein in your urine
- Headache
- Belly (abdominal) pain on your right side
- Vision problems such as flashes or spots
- Swelling (edema) in your face or hands (note: this also often happens near the end of normal pregnancies, even without preeclampsia)
Tests you may have
Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure throughout your pregnancy. If your blood pressure is high, you may have these tests:
- Urine tests to look for protein
- Blood tests to confirm preeclampsia
- Fetal monitoring to ensure that your baby is healthy
Treating preeclampsia
Preeclampsia almost always ends soon after you give birth but in some cases can develop after the baby is born (postpartum preeclampsia). Your healthcare provider can help manage your condition.
During pregnancy, if your symptoms are mild, you may need to do the following:
- Reduce physical activity
- Rest in bed (not strict or complete bed rest at home unless told by your healthcare provider)
If your symptoms worsen or become severe, you may need to stay in the hospital. Hospital may treatment include:
- Limited activity and / or bed rest to help control your blood pressure
- A magnesium intravenous (IV) drip during labor or after delivery to prevent seizures
- IV high blood pressure medications to prevent stroke if blood pressures continue to be severe
- Induced labor or surgical delivery by cesarean section
- Oral blood pressure medication if blood pressure continues to be high after delivery
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When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider if swelling, weight gain or other symptoms come on quickly or are severe. Some cases of preeclampsia are more severe than others. Your signs and symptoms also may change or worsen as you get closer to your due date.
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Once you give birth
In most cases, preeclampsia goes away on its own soon after you give birth. This is often by the 12th week after you deliver. Within days of delivery, your blood pressure, swelling, and other signs should get better. But for some people, problems from preeclampsia can continue after birth.
Postpartum preeclampsia
Preeclampsia that starts after birth is rare. There are 2 types:
Both of these types are rare. But call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of preeclampsia after you give birth.
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