Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition in pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks, in which blood pressure becomes high and the kidneys may leak protein into the urine. It can harm both the mother and the baby, and it can turn into eclampsia (fits), which is life-threatening. Regular antenatal check-ups with blood pressure measurement help find it early.
Symptoms
- Often no symptoms at first — found by measuring blood pressure
- Severe headache that does not go away
- Blurred vision or seeing flashing lights
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
- Pain high in the belly, under the ribs on the right side
- Nausea or vomiting in the second half of pregnancy
- Passing very little urine
Causes
- The exact cause is not fully known; it starts with a problem in the placenta
- First pregnancy
- High blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease before pregnancy
- Pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Twins or more
- Mother under 18 or over 40, or overweight
Prevention
- Go to all antenatal check-ups and have your blood pressure measured each time
- If you are at high risk, a doctor may advise low-dose aspirin from early pregnancy — only take it if your doctor says so
- Take calcium if your doctor advises it, especially if you eat little milk or yoghurt
- Control blood pressure and diabetes before and during pregnancy
- Know the danger signs and go to a clinic quickly if they appear
Treatment
- Close checks of blood pressure, urine and blood tests, and the baby
- Medicines to lower blood pressure, chosen by a doctor as safe in pregnancy
- Magnesium sulfate injection in hospital to prevent fits in severe cases
- Early delivery of the baby may be needed — delivery is the only real cure
- Regular blood pressure checks for several weeks after birth
- Do not start or stop any medicine without a doctor
Common questions
Does pre-eclampsia go away after birth?
It usually gets better within days to weeks after the baby and placenta are delivered, but it can still start or get worse in the first days after birth. Keep having your blood pressure checked after delivery.
Will I get it again in my next pregnancy?
The risk is higher if you had it before. Tell your doctor early in your next pregnancy so you can be checked more often and may be given preventive medicine.