If you are expecting a baby these days, first of all, congratulations! This is a very special time. However, with the changes in your body, sometimes minor health problems can also arise. That's why a lot of people talk about it and need to be a little careful . Preeclampsia is a condition that many people talk about, and it's okay not to be afraid? Let's talk about this in detail, as if we were telling a friend.
What is preeclampsia, daughter?
Simply put, preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that occurs during pregnancy. It is mainly characterized by high blood pressure (Hypertension) , which means that your blood pressure increases. Along with this, there is an increase in the level of protein in your urine (Proteinuria) . This usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Just think, this condition can affect other organs in your body as well. It can damage vital organs like the kidneys and liver, affect the brain, and cause other serious conditions. Since this can be dangerous for you and your unborn baby, your doctor will be very concerned about this and will advise you to start the necessary treatment as soon as possible.
How common is this situation?
In fact, this condition called preeclampsia is a condition that is inherent to pregnancy. Worldwide, this condition affects a certain percentage of pregnant mothers. According to statistics in some countries, preeclampsia is also responsible for a significant number of premature deliveries , that is, babies born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Is preeclampsia an emergency?
Yes, my dear, this can be an emergency. If you have preeclampsia, your blood pressure is usually higher than 140/90 mmHg. Also, the presence of protein in the urine indicates that your kidneys are being affected. This condition puts a lot of pressure on your heart and other organs. It can affect the blood supply to the placenta , damage the liver and kidneys, and cause fluid to build up in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Therefore, it is essential to seek treatment immediately to avoid complications that can be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of this? How do you recognize it?
Many people may not have any symptoms at first when they have preeclampsia. It is often discovered at your clinic, when your doctor or midwife examines you. However, some people do develop symptoms.
Some of the early symptoms of preeclampsia are:
- High blood pressure
- Protein in urine
- Water retention - This can cause weight gain and swelling.
Other visible features:
- Headaches - Sometimes you may get a severe headache.
- Blurry vision or light sensitivity
- Dark spots appearing in your vision
- Upper right side abdominal pain
- Swelling of the hands, ankles, and face (Edema)
- Shortness of breath
Often, you don't know you have preeclampsia until your doctor checks your blood pressure and does a urine test at the antenatal clinic. That's why it's so important to keep all your appointments and tell your doctor about any symptoms you're experiencing.
Severe preeclampsia may also show symptoms such as:
- Hypertensive emergency - This means that blood pressure rises to 160/110 mmHg or higher.
- Decreased kidney or liver function.
- Pulmonary edema.
- Decreased platelet count in the blood (Thrombocytopenia).
- Very little or no urine output.
If your preeclampsia is severe, your doctor may need to admit you to the hospital for further monitoring. In some cases, you may need to deliver your baby early.
Why does preeclampsia occur?
No one really knows the exact cause of this, but some researchers believe it may be due to a problem with the blood supply to the placenta.
Does stress cause preeclampsia?
Although stress can affect blood pressure, it is not a direct cause of preeclampsia. However, while some stress during pregnancy cannot be prevented, it is best to avoid stressful situations and learn to manage them.
Who is at higher risk of developing this?
Doctors aren't exactly sure why some people develop it. However, they have identified some risk factors that increase the risk of developing it. This risk is classified as high risk or moderate risk .
Factors that increase the risk of developing preeclampsia:
- Pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, or diabetes mellitus .
- Expecting twins, triplets, or more children .
- Having autoimmune conditions such as lupus .
- Having had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy .
Factors that increase the risk of developing preeclampsia include:
- Pregnancy for the first time.
- Being obese .
- Being over 35 years of age.
- Having a family history of preeclampsia .
- Having had complications such as low birth weight in previous pregnancies.
When does this start during pregnancy?
Preeclampsia usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is most often seen in the third trimester, that is, after 27 weeks. If it occurs before 34 weeks of pregnancy, it is called early-onset preeclampsia .
Postpartum preeclampsia can also occur after childbirth . This usually occurs within a few days to a week after the baby is born.
What complications can occur due to preeclampsia?
If left untreated, preeclampsia can be fatal for both you and your unborn baby. It can cause severe damage to the kidneys and liver, and can even interfere with brain function.
If you are pregnant, some of the most serious complications of preeclampsia are:
- Seizures
- Eclampsia - This is a condition in which preeclampsia becomes severe and leads to hospitalization.
- Coma
- Stroke
Preeclampsia can also cause a condition called HELLP syndrome (HELLP syndrome - Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count) . This happens when preeclampsia damages your liver and red blood cells and interferes with the blood clotting process.
The main complications that can occur to a baby in the womb are:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Placental abruption
People who have preeclampsia, especially those who develop the condition early in pregnancy, are at increased risk of developing the following conditions later in life :
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Recurrence of preeclampsia in future pregnancies.
You can talk to your family doctor and take the necessary steps to reduce these risks.
How do doctors diagnose this?
Doctors often diagnose preeclampsia during a routine prenatal appointment. These appointments are held at regular intervals throughout your pregnancy. They check things like your weight gain and blood pressure.
If your doctor suspects preeclampsia, he or she may do the following:
- Additional blood tests may be ordered to check kidney and liver function.
- You may be asked to do a 24-hour urine collection test to see how much protein (proteinuria) is in the urine.
- An ultrasound and other tests that monitor the baby's condition (fetal monitoring) may be done, to check the baby's growth and the amount of amniotic fluid .
Preeclampsia can be mild or severe . Mild preeclampsia means you have high blood pressure and excess protein in your urine.
Severe preeclampsia is the condition that has the symptoms of mild preeclampsia plus:
- Signs of kidney or liver damage (shown in blood tests).
- Low platelet count.
- Fluid filling the lungs.
- Headache and dizziness.
- Visual impairment or seeing dots before the eyes.
How is preeclampsia treated?
Your doctor will advise you on the best treatment for preeclampsia. Treatment usually depends on how severe your preeclampsia is and how far along you are in your pregnancy . Your doctor will try to keep your pregnancy going for as long as possible - but only if the preeclampsia is not life-threatening.
For example, if you are close to giving birth (around 37 weeks), your doctor will often suggest an early delivery . You can have a vaginal delivery, but sometimes a C-section is the safest option. Your doctor may give you medication to control your blood pressure and help your baby's lungs develop until you deliver. Sometimes, it is safer to deliver your baby early than to prolong your pregnancy.
If preeclampsia occurs early in pregnancy, your doctor will monitor you closely until the end of your pregnancy. They want to prolong the pregnancy as long as possible to allow the baby to grow and develop. You will need to go to the antenatal clinic regularly, have ultrasounds, urine tests, and blood tests. You may also have home BP monitoring. If the preeclampsia gets worse or becomes severe, your doctor may recommend that you deliver the baby.
If you are diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, you may be kept in the hospital for observation until your baby is born.
During labor and delivery, your doctor may give you a medicine called magnesium sulfate to prevent eclampsia (sickness caused by preeclampsia).
Is there a complete cure for this?
No. The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery. However, your doctor will monitor you for a few weeks after you have your baby to see if your symptoms go away.
What can we do to reduce the risk of preeclampsia?
If you have risk factors for developing preeclampsia, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk before and during pregnancy. These include:
- If you are obese, lose weight (before gaining weight during pregnancy).
- If you already have high blood pressure or diabetes, control your blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Maintain a regular exercise routine .
- Getting enough sleep .
- Eat a healthy, low-salt diet and avoid caffeine.
Can preeclampsia be prevented?
Taking baby aspirin daily has been found to reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia somewhat (by about 15%). If you have risk factors for preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend starting aspirin early in your pregnancy (around 12 weeks). However, it's best to never start aspirin without your doctor's advice.
Is it possible to have a normal baby with preeclampsia?
Yes, you can have a vaginal delivery even if you have preeclampsia. But your doctor will decide based on your and your baby's condition.
Can the baby survive if preeclampsia occurs?
Yes. Preeclampsia can cause preterm delivery , which means the baby is born early. Premature babies are at higher risk of health problems, such as low birth weight and breathing difficulties. However, most babies are healthy.
Does preeclampsia get better after having a baby?
Preeclampsia usually gets better within a few days to a few weeks after delivery. Sometimes, your blood pressure may remain high for a few weeks after delivery, and you may need to take medication for it. Your doctor will help you manage your blood pressure after pregnancy.
What time should I see my doctor?
Dear daughter, preeclampsia is a potentially fatal condition during pregnancy. If you are being treated for this condition, it is very important that you attend all your clinic appointments, blood tests, and urine tests regularly. If you have any questions or concerns about your symptoms, see your obstetrician immediately.
If you are pregnant and have any of these symptoms, go to the nearest hospital immediately:
- Symptoms of a seizure , such as convulsions and shaking.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sharp pain in your abdomen (especially on the right side).
- Blurry vision.
- Severe headache that won't go away.
- Dark spots in your vision that don't go away.
What questions should I ask the doctor?
If your doctor tells you that you have preeclampsia, it's normal for a lot of questions to come to mind. Here are some common questions you can ask your doctor:
- Do I need to take medicine?
- Do I need to limit my daily activities?
- What changes should I make in what I eat and drink?
- How often will my health be monitored during pregnancy?
- Will I have to deliver the baby early?
- How to best manage preeclampsia?
What are the three main symptoms of preeclampsia?
Most of the time, your doctor is the one who recognizes the signs of preeclampsia at the antenatal clinic.
The initial symptoms are usually these:
- High blood pressure.
- Protein in the urine.
- Water retention or swelling in the body.
What is the difference between Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?
Eclampsia is a condition in which seizures occur due to severe preeclampsia. It is considered a complication of preeclampsia. However, sometimes eclampsia can occur without any other symptoms of preeclampsia.
What is Postpartum Preeclampsia?
Postpartum preeclampsia is when you develop preeclampsia after your baby is born. It usually occurs within a couple of days of giving birth, but it can also occur several weeks later.
The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Daughter, preeclampsia is a serious condition that many people don't even know they have. That's why it's so important to attend all your prenatal appointments and be open with your doctor about any symptoms you experience during your pregnancy.
Once you've been diagnosed with this condition, your doctor will monitor your pregnancy very closely. In severe cases, they may recommend delivering the baby as soon as possible. Their main goal is to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy.
Finally, many mothers with preeclampsia give birth to healthy babies. Also, the condition usually goes away completely within a few weeks after the baby is born. So, don't panic and follow your doctor's instructions carefully!
` Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Hypertension, Proteinuria, Eclampsia, Childbirth, Maternal Health
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