Preeclampsia
Serious pregnancy complication causing high blood pressure and organ damage, typically after 20 weeks.
Affects: Affects 5-8% of pregnancies
Overview
Preeclampsia is a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to organs, most often the liver and kidneys. It typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can progress rapidly.
The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby, though symptoms may persist postpartum. Mild preeclampsia can be managed with careful monitoring, while severe preeclampsia requires immediate treatment and often early delivery.
Without treatment, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby including seizures (eclampsia), stroke, organ failure, and placental abruption. Early detection through prenatal care is crucial.
🩺 Symptoms
- •High blood pressure (over 140/90)
- •Protein in urine
- •Severe headaches that don't respond to medication
- •Vision changes (blurry, seeing spots, light sensitivity)
- •Upper abdominal pain (right side under ribs)
- •Nausea and vomiting in second half of pregnancy
- •Sudden weight gain (more than 2 lbs per week)
- •Severe swelling of face and hands
- •Decreased urination
- •Shortness of breath
🔍 Causes
- →Exact cause unknown
- →Problems with placental blood vessels
- →Immune system issues
- →Insufficient blood flow to uterus
- →Blood vessel damage
- →Genetic factors
⚠️ Risk Factors
- •First pregnancy
- •New partner (first pregnancy with current partner)
- •Age over 35 or under 20
- •Obesity
- •Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
- •History of preeclampsia in previous pregnancy
- •Family history of preeclampsia
- •Chronic hypertension
- •Kidney disease
- •Diabetes
- •Autoimmune diseases (lupus)
- •IVF pregnancy
- •More than 10 years since last pregnancy
🔬 Diagnosis
- →Blood pressure readings over 140/90 on two occasions
- →Protein in urine (24-hour collection or protein/creatinine ratio)
- →Blood tests checking liver enzymes, kidney function, platelets
- →Checking for signs of organ damage
- →Fetal ultrasound and monitoring
- →May be diagnosed without protein in urine if severe features present
💊 Treatment
- ✓Mild: Close monitoring, blood pressure checks, urine tests, fetal monitoring
- ✓Moderate: Bed rest, limited activity, frequent appointments
- ✓Severe: Hospitalization, IV magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures
- ✓Blood pressure medication
- ✓Corticosteroids for baby's lung development if early delivery needed
- ✓Delivery is only cure - timing depends on severity and gestational age
- ✓After delivery: Continue monitoring, medications may be needed
- ✓Postpartum preeclampsia can occur up to 6 weeks after delivery
🛡️ Prevention
- →Low-dose aspirin (81mg) starting 12-16 weeks if high risk
- →Calcium supplements (if dietary intake low)
- →Prenatal vitamins
- →Regular prenatal care
- →Healthy diet
- →Regular exercise
- →Maintain healthy weight
- →Monitor blood pressure at home if at risk
⚠️ Potential Complications
- !Eclampsia (seizures)
- !HELLP syndrome (liver and blood clotting disorder)
- !Organ damage (liver, kidneys, brain)
- !Stroke
- !Placental abruption
- !Preterm delivery
- !Fetal growth restriction
- !Stillbirth
- !Maternal death (rare but possible)
- !Increased cardiovascular disease risk later in life
🚨 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- ⚠Severe headache that won't go away
- ⚠Vision changes or seeing spots
- ⚠Severe pain in upper right abdomen
- ⚠Sudden severe swelling of face, hands, or feet
- ⚠Sudden weight gain (5+ pounds in a week)
- ⚠Difficulty breathing
- ⚠Nausea and vomiting in second half of pregnancy
- ⚠Decreased fetal movement
- ⚠Any concerning symptoms - call immediately, don't wait
Related Conditions
This information is for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.