pre·e·clamp·si·a
ˌprēəˈklampsēə/
noun
- a condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, sometimes with fluid retention and proteinuria.
What Is Preeclampsia?
Formerly called toxemia, preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women develop. It is marked by high blood pressure in women who have previously not experienced high blood pressure before. Preeclamptic women will have a high level of protein in their urine and often also have swelling in the feet, legs, and hands. This condition usually appears late in pregnancy, generally after the 20 week mark, although it can occur earlier.
If undiagnosed, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a serious condition that can put you and your baby at risk, and in rare cases, cause death. Women with preeclampsia who have seizures are considered to have eclampsia.
There's no way to cure preeclampsia, and that can be a scary prospect for moms-to-be. But you can help protect yourself by learning the symptoms of preeclampsia and by seeing your doctor for regular prenatal care. When preeclampsia is caught early, it's easier to manage.
What Causes Preeclampsia?
The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia -- a result of a placenta that doesn't function properly -- are not known, although some researchers suspect poor nutrition or high body fat are possible causes. Insufficient blood flow to the uterus could be associated. Genetics plays a role, as well.
Who Is at Risk for Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is most often seen in first-time pregnancies, in pregnantteens, and in women over 40. While it is defined as occurring in women have never had high blood pressure before, other risk factors include:
- A history of high blood pressure prior to pregnancy
- A history of preeclampsia
- Having a mother or sister who had preeclampsia
- A history of obesity
- Carrying more than one baby
- History of diabetes, kidney disease, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Preeclampsia?
In addition to swelling, protein in the urine, and high blood pressure,preeclampsia symptoms can include:
- Rapid weight gain caused by a significant increase in bodily fluid
- Abdominal pain
- Severe headaches
- Change in reflexes
- Reduced urine or no urine output
- Dizziness
- Excessive vomiting and nausea
- Vision changes
You should seek care right away if you have:
- Sudden and new swelling in your face, hands, and eyes (some feet and ankle swelling is normal during pregnancy.)
- Blood pressure greater than 140/90.
- Sudden weight gain over 1 or 2 days
- Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side
- Severe headaches
- A decrease in urine
- Blurry vision, flashing lights, and floaters
You can also have preeclampsia and not have any symptoms. That's why it's so important to see your doctor for regular blood pressure checks and urine tests.
How Can Preeclampsia Affect My Baby and Me?
Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enoughblood, which can cause your baby to be born very small. It is also one of the leading causes of premature births, and the complications that can follow, including learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, hearing and vision problems.
In moms-to-be, preeclampsia can cause rare but serious complications that include:
- Stroke
- Seizure
- Water in the lungs
- Heart failure
- Reversible blindness
- Bleeding from the liver
- Bleeding after you've given birth
Preeclampsia can also cause the placenta to suddenly separate from the uterus, which is called placental abruption. This can cause stillbirth.
How Can I Prevent Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a potentially dangerous condition in which a pregnantwoman develops high blood pressure -- or her hypertensionworsens -- threatening the health of her unborn child and herself. Preeclampsia, which may develop into eclampsia, may interfere with the placenta's ability to deliver oxygen and nutrition to the fetus. Your baby may be born weighing less than normal, may have other health problems, and may need to be delivered early.
Because no one knows what causes preeclampsia, it is very difficult to know how to prevent it. However, aspirin has been shown to have a protective effect in women with risk factors for preeclampsia. If you have significant risk factors and a history of preeclampsia, your health care provider may recommend that you take a low dose of aspirin daily.
What Is the Treatment for Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?
The only cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is to deliver your baby. Your doctor will talk with you about when to deliver based on how far along your baby is, how well your baby is doing in your womb, and the severity of your preeclampsia.
If your baby has developed enough, usually by 37 weeks or later, your doctor may want to induce labor or perform a cesarean section. This is will keep preeclampsia from getting worse.
If your baby is not close to term, you and your doctor may be able to treat preeclampsia until your baby has developed enough to be safely delivered. The closer the birth is to your due date, the better for your baby.
If you have mild preeclampsia - also known as preclampsia with and without severe features, your doctor may prescribe:
- Bed rest either at home or in the hospital; you'll be asked to rest mostly on your left side.
- Careful observation with a fetal heart rate monitor and frequent ultrasounds
- Medicines to lower your blood pressure
- Blood and urine tests
Your doctor also may recommend that you stay in the hospital for closer monitoring. In the hospital you may be given:
- Medicine to help prevent seizures, lower your blood pressure, and prevent other problems
- Steroid injections to help your baby's lungs develop more quickly
Other treatments include:
- Magnesium can be injected into the veins to prevent eclampsia-related seizures
- Hydralazine or another antihypertensive drug to manage severe blood pressure elevations
- Monitoring fluid intake and urine output. For more information about Preeclampsia and Eclampsia: http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/preeclampsia-eclampsia
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