title: Preeclampsia

Cause: Preeclampsia Advocate: Maryam

What is pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-induced condition, which can occur in the second half of pregnancy. It is characterised by high blood pressure, swelling that happens suddenly along with rapid weight gain due to fluid retention, and protein in the urine.

Pre-eclampsia can range from mild to severe and can affect various systems of the body. Although there is no treatment that will stop it completely during pregnancy, pre-eclampsia can be managed.

Since it reduces the flow of blood to the placenta, pre-eclampsia can be quite dangerous for your unborn baby. It can restrict your baby’s growth because not enough oxygen or nutrients get through. If you have any reason to suspect that you might have pre-eclampsia, contact your doctor or midwife immediately.

If pre-eclampsia develops into eclampsia, your blood pressure will become extremely high and both you and your baby will be at great risk. Eclampsia can cause seizure or convulsions, which can lead to coma and can be fatal. If it happens, eclampsia usually develops in late pregnancy or just after the baby is born.

http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy/complications/pre-eclampsia/

How Common Is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia can affect as many as 10% of pregnancies, which makes it one of the most common pregnancy complications. It occurs more often in first pregnancies. Occasionally, women who have suffered it once find that it recurs in one or more subsequent pregnancies, and rarely a woman who has not experienced it in earlier pregnancies may develop it in a subsequent pregnancy.

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/articles/Pregnancy/pre-eclampsia-pregnancy

Factors that can increase the risk of Pre-eclampsia?

• Pregnant women who are under the age of 20 or over the age of 40.
• A woman’s first pregnancy.
• Women who are expecting more than one baby. (twins, triplets)
• Women with kidney disease, lupus, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
• Women who are overweight prior to pregnancy.
• Women who suffer with high blood pressure before becoming pregnant.
• Women who have developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy.
• Too much amniotic fluid
• African-American Women

http://www.femail.com.au/preeclampsia.htm

What are the warning signs for pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition for you and your baby.

Occasionally pre-eclampsia develops very quickly. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor or midwife if you have any of the following symptoms in the second half of pregnancy or in the first few weeks after birth:

• sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
• intense headaches accompanied by blurred vision or spots before the eyes
• severe pain in the top of your abdomen
• vomiting

Early detection and care can make a big difference in the course of pre-eclampsia.

http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy/complications/pre-eclampsia/

How Can I Prevent pre-eclampsia?

There are no known ways to prevent preeclampsia. The most important thing is to make sure you take extra care of yourself if you are thinking about having a baby. If you know you have high blood pressure, talk first to your doctor or nurse about possible risks. Getting regular prenatal care and doing what you can to control your blood pressure before and during the pregnancy will assist in ensuring yours and your baby’s health is optimal.

Before becoming pregnant:
If you are overweight, try to lose some weight and get involved in a regular exercise regime. Being fitter and of a healthier body weight can be helpful. Discuss all of these things with your doctor.
If you take medication for high blood pressure ask your doctor about the effects this may have on pregnancy and whether a different dosage or medication should be taken.
If you take medicines for your blood pressure, ask your doctor whether you should change the amount you take or stop taking them during pregnancy.

While you are pregnant:
Avoid antagonistic substances to high blood pressure such as alcohol, cigarettes, smoky environments and make sure you talk to your doctor about any over the counter medicines or vitamins you are considering taking or have taken in the past. Sometimes things you may think are harmless may affect you differently while pregnant. Obtain regular prenatal care.

http://www.femail.com.au/preeclampsia.htm
If I get pre-eclampsia, how will it be treated?

If your blood pressure is moderately raised, you will be advised to have as much bed rest as possible, lying either on your left hand side because this improves the flow of blood to the placenta, or sitting well propped up. Your midwife will probably visit you on a daily basis to check your blood pressure.

If your blood pressure becomes very high, you might be admitted to hospital so that your condition can be monitored. Scans will be used to monitor your baby’s growth and CTG (cardiotochograph) will be used to check your baby’s heart rate and wellbeing. The aim is to prolong your pregnancy as long as possible, to give your baby the best chance.

You may also be given magnesium sulphate injections. A large research study published in 2002 found that if mothers with pre-eclampsia are given magnesium sulphate, it roughly halves their risk of developing eclampsia.

If your blood pressure cannot be controlled, your obstetrician may suggest that you have your labour induced or that you deliver your baby by caesarean section.

Pre-eclampsia will get better on its own once your baby is delivered. But you are still at risk of pre-eclampsia for up to four weeks after your baby is born, especially if your pre-eclampsia was severe or diagnosed when your pregnancy was 37 weeks or more.

http://www.babycenter.com.au/pregnancy/complications/pre-eclampsia/

For further and more detailed reading on this subject:

http://www.parentsplace.com
http://www.lifeclinic.com
http://www.emedicine.com