We explain you what it is, the risks it can cause and how to prevent it.



One of the great fears during pregnancy is suffering from preeclampsia, a disease with no cure that can affect the health of the mother and the baby. In this article you will learn why it happens, the symptoms, the risks there may be and how to prevent it.

 


What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a blood pressure complication that develops during pregnancy. Women with preeclampsia often have high blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine. This disease appears from the 20th week of pregnancy.

 


Preeclampsia complications

Preeclampsia is detected in approximately 3% to 7% of pregnancies. Fortunately, 75% of cases are mild. But they can get worse and cause major health problems for mother and baby. Specifically, the disease can affect essential maternal organs such as the brain, liver or kidney. Another risk is that the placenta and uterus separate, thus causing premature labour or pregnancy loss.

Finally, one of the less pleasant complications is the appearance of eclampsia, which are seizures that can occur even without signs of preeclampsia.


Just a few maternal deaths are currently caused by preeclampsia in mothers, especially in developed countries. Most women with preeclampsia recover and give birth to totally healthy babies.


Preeclampsia symptoms

Some people with preeclampsia have no symptoms. However, the first signs that can be detected in medical visits are high blood pressure and high levels of proteinuria. Other common symptoms are the following:

  • Intense headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Visual disturbances (blurred or double vision).
  • Sudden swelling in the hands, feet, or face.
  • Breathing difficulties, due to fluid in the lungs.
  • Rapid weight gain.

 

Detecting preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is usually diagnosed during routine prenatal visits, checking weight, blood pressure, and urine status. If there is any kind of suspicion, more blood tests are usually made to control the health of the kidney and the liver. Urine tests to study proteinuria or ultrasound to determine the size of the baby and assess the volume of amniotic fluid may also be required.


This disease will be classified as mild in patients who have high levels of protein in the urine and high blood pressure. And severe cases, in addition to these two conditions, include patients with signs of kidney or liver injury, low platelet counts, fluid in the lungs, dizziness, and impaired vision.

 


Risk factors for preeclampsia

The following circumstances will make you more likely to suffer from preeclampsia in pregnancy:

  • You are a first-time pregnant woman.
  • You have a family history of preeclampsia.
  • You are a teenager or over 40 years old.
  • You have multiple pregnancy.
  • You suffer from high blood pressure.
  • You suffer from kidney problems.
  • You have suffered preeclampsia in any of your previous pregnancies.

 

Prevention of preeclampsia

There are certain measures that can help pregnant women with risk factors to prevent the disease. In addition to checking your blood pressure regularly from week 20 and doing urine tests, you should follow these tips:

  • Exercise and maintain an active lifestyle.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Avoid caffeinated drinks.
  • Eat foods low in salt.
  • No smoking.
  • Control weight.
  • Eat foods rich in calcium.

 

Treatment of preeclampsia

Your team of medical professionals will help you decide the best way to treat preeclampsia. Everything will depend on the severity of the case and the stage of pregnancy in which you are.


If preeclampsia develops early, the most normal thing is that you will be closely monitored in order to ensure that the fetus grows properly. You will have visits more frequently and it is common for ultrasounds and blood and urine tests to be carried out repeatedly.


When preeclampsia is detected close to the time of delivery, it is likely that an earlier delivery and cesarean section will be chosen. The health status of the baby's lungs should be controlled and wait for the right time so that there is no risk.


In the worst cases, when the disease gets seriously worse, the only alternative so that the mother's health is not in danger is to plan a delivery.

 


Postpartum

Most women stop having preeclampsia a few days or weeks after giving birth. It is likely that some medication is required to control the level of blood pressure. However, people who have developed it should keep in mind that they are at greater risk of suffering from hypertension and heart problems in the future. So there is no better advice than being advised by medical professionals.

 

 


References