High blood pressure during pregnancy? Let's be aware of preeclampsia!

Pregnancy is a time of great hope and new experiences for a mother. We all know that it is normal to have a little swelling in the legs and a little discomfort in the body during this time. But sometimes these seemingly normal symptoms can be signs of a serious condition that requires a little attention. Preeclampsia is one such serious condition that can occur during pregnancy. Don't worry, let's talk about everything in simple terms.

Simply put, what is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a condition during pregnancy where you have high blood pressure and start passing too much protein in your urine . You may also notice swelling in your legs, arms, and feet. This condition can be mild for some people, and severe for others.

This condition usually occurs towards the end of pregnancy, around week 34. However, it can sometimes occur earlier or even after the baby is born .

Early detection of this condition is very important for your and your baby's safety. That's why your doctor will take your blood pressure and urine test at every clinic visit.

Postpartum Preeclampsia

This is a rare condition. This is what it's called if you develop high blood pressure and protein in your urine after you have your baby. This usually happens within 48 hours of having your baby. But it can happen as late as 6 weeks. This is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

The difference between preeclampsia and eclampsia

If preeclampsia is not treated properly, it can develop into an even more dangerous condition called eclampsia . Simply put, if a mother with preeclampsia starts having fits (seizures) , that condition is called eclampsia. This can be fatal for both mother and baby.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

In addition to high blood pressure (above 140/90 mmHg), protein in the urine, and swelling, you may also experience the following symptoms. If you have any of these, you should inform your doctor immediately.

Causes and risk factors for preeclampsia

The exact cause of this is not yet known. But experts believe that the main cause is that the placenta, which nourishes the baby, does not function properly . This means that there is a decrease in the amount of blood going to the uterus. There is also a genetic influence.

Check out these facts to find out if you are at high risk of developing this condition:

• Factors that increase risk:
• If you have had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy.
• If there is more than one baby in the womb, such as twins or triplets.
• If you have pre-existing high blood pressure (Chronic hypertension).
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you have diabetes .
• If you have immune system diseases such as lupus.

• General risk factors:
• If this is your first pregnancy.
• If you are over 35 years old.
• If the body mass index (BMI) is more than 30 (obesity).
• If someone in the family (mother, sister) has had preeclampsia.
• If you got pregnant through IVF technology.
• If you have had complications in a previous pregnancy, such as having a low birth weight baby.

What are the possible complications of preeclampsia?

This is a serious condition that affects both mother and baby.

Possible effects on the baby:

• Fetal Growth Restriction: Due to reduced blood supply to the placenta, the baby does not receive the oxygen and nutrients it needs. This can cause the baby to grow poorly and be born with a low birth weight.
• Premature Birth: In many cases, if preeclampsia becomes severe, the baby will have to be delivered before the due date. This can cause problems for the baby, such as difficulty breathing, feeding, and vision and hearing impairment.

Possible effects on the mother:

• Eclampsia: As we mentioned earlier, seizures occur.
• HELLP Syndrome: This is also a very dangerous complication that requires emergency medical treatment. HELLP stands for:
• Hemolysis (breakdown of blood cells)
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Low platelet count (decreased blood platelets - impaired blood clotting)
• Damage to other organs: Kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, and brain can be damaged. Even conditions like stroke can occur.
• Placental abruption: The sudden separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. This is life-threatening for the baby.

How is it treated?

As we've said before, the only permanent solution to preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. Your doctor will decide when the best time to deliver your baby is. This decision will depend on how many weeks your baby is in the womb, the baby's health, and the severity of your preeclampsia.

• If the baby is well developed (37 weeks or later): The doctor may decide to deliver the baby early by inducing labor or performing a cesarean section. This can prevent the condition from getting worse.
• If the baby is not yet full term (before 37 weeks): Unless your condition is severe (mild preeclampsia), your doctor will try to let the baby develop in your womb for as long as possible. During this time, you will be kept in the hospital and closely monitored.
• Bed rest will be provided.
• They will give you medicine to control your blood pressure.
• Medications such as magnesium sulfate will be given to prevent the fit from occurring.
• Steroid injections will be given to help the baby's lungs develop quickly.
• You will be regularly monitored with blood and urine tests and ultrasound scans to check the baby's condition.

If the condition is severe, the baby may have to be delivered immediately, regardless of how many weeks pregnant the baby is.

Is there a way to prevent this?

Although it can't be completely prevented, the risk can be reduced. If you're at high risk for preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend that you take a low-dose aspirin daily during pregnancy. However, never take any medication without first consulting your doctor.

In addition, it is also important to follow a healthy lifestyle.

• If overweight, control your weight.
• Avoid smoking.
• Exercising regularly.
• Controlling your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

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