Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication where the mother has high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling, most commonly in the hands, legs and feet. It can be a very serious complication that can affect both the mother and the baby, and in rare cases, even cause death.
It usually happens around 20 weeks after pregnancy. However, in rare cases, it can occur after the delivery of the baby, although that usually resolves itself, and is not as serious. If preeclampsia occurs while you are still early in your pregnancy, it may pose a serious challenge as the only treatment is delivery of the baby.
Additionally, preeclampsia is usually associated with damage to other organ systems, which can be permanent if you delay the delivery process for too long.
What are the causes of Preeclampsia?
Well, doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes preeclampsia, but they think it has to do with a dysfunction of the mother’s placenta, which may be due to poor blood flow to the uterus. It might also be linked to high body fat, genes, or poor nutrition during pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication where the mother has high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling, most commonly in the hands, legs, and feet. It can be a very serious complication that can affect both the mother and the baby, and in rare cases, even cause death.
It usually happens around 20 weeks after pregnancy. However, in rare cases, it can occur after the delivery of the baby, although that usually resolves itself, and is not as serious. If preeclampsia occurs while you are still early in your pregnancy, it may pose a serious challenge as the only treatment is delivery of the baby.
Additionally, preeclampsia is usually associated with damage to other organ systems, which can be permanent if you delay the delivery process for too long.
What are the causes of Preeclampsia?
Well, doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes preeclampsia, but they think it has to do with a dysfunction of the mother’s placenta, which may be due to poor blood flow to the uterus. It might also be linked to high body fat, genes, or poor nutrition during pregnancy.
What are the risk factors associated with preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia only occurs as a complication of pregnancy. Here is a list of potential risk factors for the condition:
- You or your family has a history of preeclampsia
- Chronic hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Having a new partner (Having a baby with a new partner increases your risk of getting the condition more than having a second or third child with your previous partner)
- First pregnancy (The risk is highest during the first pregnancy)
- Age (Very young women, and women above 35 years old have a greater risk of developing the condition)
- Obesity (You have a greater risk if you are severely overweight)
- Carrying multiple children (You have a greater risk if you are pregnant with more than 1 children – eg twins, triplets, etc)
- Small or large interval between pregnancies (If you have babies less than 2 years or more than 10 years apart, you may have a greater risk of developing the condition)
- IVF (Using in vitro fertilization can increase your risk)
- Having certain preexisting conditions like diabetes, lupus, hypertension, migraines or kidney disease before getting pregnant can increase your risk)
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Preeclampsia?
- Kidney problems or too much protein in your urine
- Extremely painful headaches
- Vision problems like temporary blindness, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light
- Pain in your upper abdomen
- Feeling nauseous/vomiting
- Not feeling the need to pee/Peeing less than usual
- Lowered levels of platelets in blood
- Problems with liver function
- Not being able to breathe normally – due to fluid in lungs
- Sudden weight gain and swelling (although also common in normal pregnancies, and hence not a very accurate indicator of preeclampsia)
How is Preeclampsia Diagnosed?
Preeclampsia is diagnosed by a doctor, with the aid of various tests that measure your blood pressure, and the level of protein in your urine. Your doctor may also use the following tests to check up on how your baby is coming along.
- an ultrasound
- a nonstress test to check the baby’s heart rate
- a biophysical profile (combines the above two tests)
How is Preeclampsia treated?
Treatment depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy, as well as the severity of your condition. Even if you only have mild preeclampsia, you should still undergo treatment to prevent the condition from getting worse.
If your preeclampsia starts at least 37 weeks after pregnancy, you will likely not face any serious health risks. However, if your condition begins before 37 weeks, your doctor may:
- check your blood pressure and urine more regularly for signs of hypertension or excess protein in the urine
- ask you to do frequent kick tests (you can either time how long it takes for your baby to move 10 times, or measure the number of times your baby kicks in 1 hour)
- recommend that you deliver the baby early by inducing labour
If you have severe preeclampsia, your doctor may:
- recommend that you stay in the hospital for closer monitoring
- treat you with a medication called antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) to speed up your baby’s lung development.
- medication to control your blood pressure and prevent seizures
- induce labour or recommend a C-section
One another severe problem associated with preeclampsia is known as HELLP syndrome – It is a rare condition (occurs in around 20% of patients with severe preeclampsia) but is typically life-threatening.
HELLP Syndrome
It is a severe condition that affects the blood and liver. It is an emergency that needs immediate treatment.
What does HELLP stand for?
- H stands for hemolysis, which is the breakdown of red blood cells that transport oxygen around your body
- EL stands for elevated liver enzymes, which can be an indication of liver problems
- LP: Low platelet count – can increase the chance of severe bleeding
Signs and symptoms of HELLP
- blurry vision
- bleeding, e.g. through the nose which does not stop
- feeling unwell
- severe headaches
- chest pain
- seizures
- convulsions
What are the complications of HELLP?
- kidney failure
- liver failure
- placental abruption: the placenta separating from wall of uterus before childbirth – This can be very serious for the baby.
- fluid buildup in the lungs which causes breathing problems
- heavy bleeding
How is HELLP diagnosed?
To diagnose HELLP syndrome, your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam to check you for
- enlarged liver
- hypertension
- swelling (typically in legs)
- abdomen pain
Your doctor may also:
- conduct blood tests to check your liver enzymes and platelet count
- run a CT scan
- run a nonstress test to check your baby’s heart rate
- ultrasound
How is HELLP treated?
It is typically treated with medication to manage your blood pressure and prevent seizures. You may also be advised to deliver your child early to reduce the risk of further complications. You might also need a blood transfusion.
What are the Complications of Preeclampsia?
- restriction in fetal growth (possibly lower fetal weight than normal)
- premature delivery
- placental abruption (can be life-threatening for baby and mother)
- HELLP syndrome
- eclampsia (basically preeclampsia but with seizures)
- damage to other organs like the eyes, lungs, kidneys, livers, and more.
If you know someone who is pregnant, please share this information with them and encourage them to see their doctor if they are experiencing any of the symptoms. Together, we can help keep mothers and babies safe during pregnancy.