Preeclampsia : What to Know
- Nina G
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy. People with preeclampsia often have high blood pressure (hypertension) and high levels of protein in their urine (proteinuria). Preeclampsia usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Symptoms:
Headaches
Blurry vision or light sensitivity
Dark spots appearing in your vision
Upper right side abdominal pain
Swelling in your hands, ankles and face (edema)
Shortness of breath
High risk factors for preeclampsia:
History of high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabetes
Expecting twins, triplets or more
Autoimmune conditions like lupus
Preeclampsia in a past pregnancy
Moderate risk factors for preeclampsia:
Being pregnant for the first time
Having obesity
Being older than 35
Family history of preeclampsia
Complications in prior pregnancies like low birth weight
How is preeclampsia diagnosed?
Order additional blood tests to check kidney and liver functions
Suggest a 24-hour urine collection to watch for proteinuria
Perform an ultrasound and other fetal monitoring to look at the size of the fetus and assess the amniotic fluid volume
How is preeclampsia treated?
If you’re close to full term (37 weeks pregnant), your provider will probably recommend an early delivery. You can still have a vaginal delivery, but sometimes, a C-section is safer.
Your healthcare provider may give you medication to help the fetus’s lungs develop and manage your blood pressure until they can deliver your baby.
Sometimes, it’s safer to deliver the baby early than to risk prolonging the pregnancy.
When preeclampsia develops earlier in pregnancy, your provider will monitor you closely for the rest of your pregnancy. They’ll want to prolong pregnancy as long as possible to allow for the fetus to grow and develop.
You’ll have more frequent prenatal appointments, including ultrasounds, urine tests and blood draws.
You may have to check your blood pressure at home
If the preeclampsia worsens or becomes more severe, your provider will recommend delivery.
If you have severe preeclampsia at diagnosis, you could remain in the hospital for monitoring until you deliver your baby.
How can I reduce my risk of getting preeclampsia?
Losing weight if you have obesity (prior to pregnancy-related weight gain)
Managing your blood pressure and blood sugar (if you had high blood pressure or diabetes before pregnancy)
Maintaining a regular exercise routine
Getting enough sleep
Eating healthy foods that are low in salt and avoiding caffeine
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Symptoms of a seizure, like twitching or convulsing
Shortness of breath
Sharp pain in your abdomen (specifically the right side)
Blurry vision
Severe headache that won’t go away
Dark spots in your vision that don’t go away
What is postpartum preeclampsia?
Postpartum preeclampsia is when you develop preeclampsia after your baby is born. It typically happens within two days of giving birth but can also develop several weeks later.
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