Preventing Preeclampsia

You are in your 25th week of pregnancy. You are experiencing dizziness, nausea and vomiting. You also have a slight headache. You could have preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia occurs when the pregnant woman experiences high blood pressure and protein in the urine. If the blood pressure is very high, other areas of the body like the lungs, liver, brain and blood clotting system can be affected.

Preeclampsia during pregnancy can lead to several health problems, including stroke, seizures and a condition known as HELLP syndrome, in which the pregnant woman’s liver and blood cells are damaged. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development states that preeclampsia is the leading cause of preterm birth (before 37 weeks).

The condition can develop as soon as the 20th week of pregnancy. Usually giving birth signals the end of preeclampsia. However, high blood pressure that occurs between 48 hours and six weeks after birth is considered postpartum preeclampsia.

While many women are symptom-free, signs of preeclampsia may include:

§  An abrupt rise in blood pressure (higher than pre-pregnancy levels).

§  Dizziness.

§  Headache.

§  Protein in your urine.

§  Fluid retention.

§  Abdominal pain.

§  Nausea.

§  Vomiting.

Untreated preeclampsia can lead to:

§  Problems with blood clotting.

§  Liver and/or kidney failure.

§  Convulsions.

In its most serious form, preeclampsia can lead to death.

During pregnancy, the placenta grows in the uterus to feed the fetus with oxygen and nutrients from the woman’s blood. Preeclampsia can slow this process down, which in turn may slow fetal growth. It can also cause a condition called placenta abruption, in which the placenta separates from the uterus, potentially affecting the baby’s nutrient and oxygen supply. If the preeclampsia is severe, the baby may need to be delivered early.

The cause of preeclampsia isn’t known, but the key contributor seems to be issues with the blood vessels that supply the placenta with blood. These issues lead to the improper development of the placenta.

First-time moms have a higher incidence of preeclampsia, as well as older moms, heavier moms, moms carrying twins or triplets, as well as women who have underlying medical disorders.

You are at a higher risk for developing preeclampsia if you:

§  Have a pregnancy that occurs more than 10 years after a previous pregnancy.

§  Have a body mass index of 30 or more, meaning a person is obese.

§  Have diabetes, kidney disease, an autoimmune disease or chronic high blood pressure.

§  Are a Black person (due to racism and inequities).

§  Have a lower income (due to inequities).

§  Are age 35 or older.

§  Have a family history of preeclampsia.

Delivery is seen as the start of a cure for preeclampsia. The goal is to make it to about 37 weeks to avoid a premature birth or to 34 weeks if the condition is considered severe.

Some treatment options to help meet these goals are blood pressure medication; anticonvulsant medications; and steroid injections to help the fetal lungs develop faster.

Some at-home treatment suggestions for managing preeclampsia includes being on bed rest; changing your diet; and regular monitoring of blood pressure, fetal heart rate and other vital assessments.

Your health care provider may recommend that you be admitted to the hospital for close monitoring.

While there is no way to prevent preeclampsia, you can avoid those pesky risk factors. For example, taking low-dose aspirin may also help prevent preeclampsia in women with a history of the condition.

Having preeclampsia can raise your risk for stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Because of these increased risks, you should work closely with your provider to get your essential needs provided for to stay healthy. If you have had preeclampsia in the past and plan to get pregnant again, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk.