Preeclampsia: A Pregnancy Complication You Should Know About

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you may have heard of a condition called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious complication that affects about 8% of pregnancies worldwide and can cause severe health problems for both the mother and the baby.

What is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a condition that develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, usually in women who had normal blood pressure before. It is characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and sometimes high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria), which indicate kidney damage. Preeclampsia can also affect other organs, such as the liver, the brain, the eyes, and the lungs, and increase the risk of bleeding, seizures, stroke, and organ failure.

Preeclampsia can also affect the placenta, which is the organ that connects the mother and the baby and provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby. Preeclampsia can reduce the blood flow to the placenta, which can result in fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, preterm birth, or stillbirth.

Preeclampsia usually goes away after delivery, but it can sometimes develop after delivery (postpartum preeclampsia), which requires close monitoring and treatment.

What Causes Preeclampsia?

The exact cause of preeclampsia is not known, but it is likely to involve several factors, such as:

• Improper functioning of the placenta, which may be due to genetic factors, immune disorders or poor nutrition.
• Insufficient blood flow to the placenta, likely caused by blood vessel problems, chronic hypertension, or diabetes.
• Inflammation and oxidative stress, which may trigger an abnormal immune response and damage the blood vessels and organs.

Who is at Risk of Preeclampsia?

Some factors that may increase your risk of developing preeclampsia are:

• Being pregnant for the first time or having a new partner.
• Having a family history of preeclampsia or other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
• Having a history of high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabetes.
• Being pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets or more).
• Having an autoimmune condition, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Being obese or having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
• Being older than 35 years.

What are the Symptoms of Preeclampsia?

Many women with preeclampsia do not have any noticeable symptoms. That is why it is important to attend your antenatal visits regularly so that your healthcare provider can check your blood pressure and urine for signs of preeclampsia.

Some symptoms that may indicate preeclampsia are:

• Rapid weight gain caused by fluid retention (edema), especially in your hands and face.
• Severe headaches that do not go away with medication.
• Changes in vision, such as blurred vision, light sensitivity, or seeing dark spots.
• Pain in your upper abdomen, usually under your ribs on the right side.
• Nausea or vomiting that is not related to morning sickness.
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing due to fluid accumulation in your lungs.
• Decreased urine output or no urine output at all.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately or go to an emergency room. Preeclampsia can progress quickly and lead to life-threatening complications for you and your baby.

How is preeclampsia diagnosed?

Preeclampsia is diagnosed based on your blood pressure and urine tests. Your healthcare provider will measure your blood pressure at each antenatal visit and look for signs of proteinuria (protein in your urine) using a dipstick test or a 24-hour urine collection.

Your healthcare provider may also order other tests to check for signs of organ damage or complications, such as:

• Blood tests to measure your liver function, kidney function, and platelet count.
• Foetal ultrasound to monitor your baby's growth, movement, and amniotic fluid level.
• Nonstress test or biophysical profile to assess your baby's heart rate, breathing, and muscle tone.

How is Preeclampsia Treated?

The only definitive treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby and placenta. However, depending on how severe your condition is and how far along you are in your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may recommend different approaches to manage your preeclampsia and protect your health and your baby's health.

Some of the treatment options for preeclampsia are:

• Medications to lower your blood pressure and prevent seizures (antihypertensives and anticonvulsants).
• Corticosteroids to improve your liver function, platelet count, and your baby's lung maturity.
• Magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures and reduce the risk of eclampsia (a severe complication of preeclampsia that causes seizures and coma).
• Induction of labor or cesarean section to deliver your baby as soon as possible if your condition is severe or if you are at or near term (37 weeks or more).
• Close monitoring of your blood pressure, urine output, weight, swelling, and symptoms after delivery until your condition stabilizes.

How can Preeclampsia be Prevented?

There is no sure way to prevent preeclampsia, but you can reduce your risk by taking some steps before and during your pregnancy, such as:

• Eating a balanced diet that is low in salt and high in calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
• Drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
• Getting enough rest and avoiding stress.
• Exercising regularly with your healthcare provider's approval.
• Taking antenatal vitamins and supplements as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Keeping your antenatal appointments and following your healthcare provider's advice.

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can affect both you and your baby. By being aware of the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options, you can take better care of yourself and your baby and have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.