Pre-eclampsia
Definition
Pre-eclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy. There also may be too much protein in the urine. This condition can harm organs.
Causes
The cause is not known.
Risk Factors
Pre-eclampsia is more common young women who have not given birth before.
Other things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Problems with the immune system, such as lupus
- Pre-eclampsia in a prior pregnancy
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Being pregnant with more than one baby
-
Being overweight or
obese
Symptoms
A woman may not have symptoms. Those who do may have:
- Rapid weight gain
- Swelling of the hands and face
- Headaches
- Problems seeing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upper belly pain
- Overactive reflexes
- Chest pain
- Problems breathing
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Preeclampsia is diagnosed if you have high blood pressure.
Other tests that may be done are:
- Urine tests to look for high protein levels
- Blood tests to check for low levels of platelets that are needed to help with blood clotting
Treatment
The only way to cure this condition is to deliver the baby. The decision to do so depends on how many weeks along a woman is in her pregnancy. Labor may happen on its own or it may be started by the doctor.
Delivery may need to be delayed so the baby has more time to grow. Pre-eclampsia may also be mild. It may be managed by:
- Bed rest and monitoring at home or in the hospital
- Medicines to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower the risk of seizures
- Help the baby's lungs develop
Prevention
An aspirin or a calcium supplement may lower the risk of this health problem in women who are at risk.
Resources
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org
Canadian Resources
The Canadian Women's Health Network
http://www.cwhn.ca
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://sogc.org
References
High blood pressure during pregnancy. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
https://familydoctor.org/condition/high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy. Accessed October 15, 2020.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy
. Accessed October 15, 2020.
Leeman L, Fontaine P. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Am Fam Physician 2016 Jan 15;93(2):121.
Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy. Accessed October 15, 2020.