Preeclampsia will often be defined as a severe blood pressure condition that occurs during pregnancy. It most often shows itself as hypertension with proteinuria (high levels of protein in the urine). The condition usually develops in women after their 20th week of being pregnant. The condition may also affect other organs and may be harmful to both the mother and the developing baby. Because of the risks involved, the condition needs to be addressed by medical professionals. 

Our experts in obstetrics and gynecology in South Miami, Florida, understand the dangers associated with preeclampsia. As such, we’ve written this comprehensive article so that pregnant women can better understand the risks and get proper medical assistance if they suspect they might have preeclampsia. 

Understanding Preeclampsia

When dealing with the condition, the patient’s blood pressure will usually be higher than 140/90 mmHg, and they may also have higher protein concentrations in their urine. The condition can put unwanted stress on the heart and other organs, leading to severe complications. To make matters worse, it may also negatively affect the placenta’s blood flow, impair kidney and liver function, and cause fluid buildup in the lungs. 

This pregnancy-specific condition affects around 8 percent of all pregnancies across the globe, and in the US, it usually complicates around 15 percent of pregnancies. The condition tends to be more common in first-time mommies, and experts aren’t sure about preeclampsia’s causes. Still, the following are considered risk factors: 

  • A history of diabetes, hypertension, or kidney diseases
  • Family history of the condition
  • Expecting multiples
  • Lupus and other autoimmune conditions
  • Being obese

A Female Doctor Is Measuring the Blood Pressure of Her Patient in the Ob-Gyn Office.

Preeclampsia Causes and Symptoms

As mentioned above, the medical community isn’t entirely sure about the causes. Generally, it’s believed to stem from a placenta-related health problem; more specifically, the decreased blood supply might decrease, leading to preeclampsia and other problems both for the fetus and the mother. 

The condition usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, but it may also occur earlier. In some cases, it may develop after delivery, referred to as postpartum preeclampsia. 

The condition may lead to preterm delivery, which means that the baby will be at an increased risk for several health complications, such as respiratory issues, low birth weight, and more.

When talking about preeclampsia symptoms, it’s important to note that most patients show no signs of the condition. For those that do show symptoms, the first signs of preeclampsia will usually be water retention, hypertension, and proteinuria.

On that note, other signs of the condition may include the following: 

  • Light sensitivity, blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal pain on the right side
  • Edema
  • Dark spots in your vision
  • Shortness of breath

It’s crucial to share all pregnancy symptoms with your provider. Many pregnant women aren’t aware that they have preeclampsia until they get their urine and blood pressure checked during their prenatal appointments. 

On the other hand, severe preeclampsia may produce the following symptoms:

  • Extremely high blood pressure that constitutes an emergency
  • Fluid in the lungs
  • Impaired liver and kideny functions
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Decreased urine production

Diagnosing Preeclampsia

For the most part, experts usually diagnose the condition during routine prenatal checkups. When they suspect preeclampsia, doctors will usually:

  • Order a few additional blood tests to check liver and kidney functions
  • Ask you to bring in a urine sample to check for proteinuria
  • Order an ultrasound to check the fetus’ size and examine the amniotic fluid volume. 

Typically, experts will categorize preeclampsia either as mild or severe. Mild preeclampsia will usually mean that the mother has proteinuria and hypertension. With severe preeclampsia, the patient will have other accompanying symptoms we’ve described already above. 

Treating Preeclampsia

Treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and how far along the mother is in her pregnancy. In cases when the pregnancy is close to full term (37 weeks or past that), the baby will most probably be delivered early. Sometimes, doctors will recommend a C-section, but that doesn’t mean that women can’t have a vaginal birth.

In other cases, the provider may administer medication to the mother to support the development of the baby’s lungs and to lower the mother’s blood pressure until delivery can commence. There are cases when early delivery is less risky than prolonging the pregnancy with preeclampsia. 

If the condition develops even earlier in pregnancy, providers will monitor the mother closely, allowing the fetus to develop and grow. Naturally, this will mean more prenatal appointments, blood tests, ultrasounds, and urine tests. In more severe cases, mothers are advised to stay in the hospital until they can go into labor. 

Lastly, there’s no cure for the condition, meaning; only delivery can resolve the issue. 

How to Prevent Preeclampsia? 

How to prevent preeclampsia? For those at higher risk of developing the condition, some adjustment before becoming pregnant may lower the chances. These strategies include:

  • Losing excess weight if you are obese or overweight. 
  • Controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure, especially if you’ve3 had problems with diabetes and hypertension before becoming pregnant. 
  • Striving to get in regular exercise.
  • Getting in quality sleep.
  • Eating a balanced diet filled with healthy food, low in sodium.
  • Minimizing your caffeine intake.

Also, some argue that taking baby aspirin every day may decrease the risk of developing the condition by around 15 percent. That said, if you are considered high-risk for preeclampsia, your provider might recommend starting your aspirin regimen early in your pregnancy – by around 12 weeks of gestation. 

Complications of Preeclampsia

As highlighted above, the condition may lead to severe complications if left untreated and may have fatal consequences both to the fetus and the mother. 

The most common complications before delivery are usually preterm birth, placental abruption, or low birth weight. 

On the other hand, preeclampsia is known to cause HELLP syndrome (or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count). This is a consequence of the condition damaging the red blood cells and the liver, interfering with blood clotting. The other symptoms of the syndrome often include chest pain, blurry vision, nosebleeds, and headaches. 

Also, after delivering the baby, mothers may be at an increased risk for the following medical problems:

  • Kidney disease
  • Heart attack
  • Problems with preeclampsia in future pregnancies
  • Stroke

Pregnant Mother With Toddler Daughter Relaxing Together in Bed at Home

Summing it Up

Preeclampsia is a severe condition that may go undetected. It is vital to attend all prenatal appointments and communicate openly about any pregnancy symptoms. Early detection enables effective treatment and management, safeguarding the well-being of both the mother and the fetus. The good news is that with timely intervention, most individuals with preeclampsia can successfully deliver healthy babies. Prioritizing your health during pregnancy is imperative for a positive and healthy outcome.

That said, if you’d like to learn more about the condition or may have any concerns regarding it, feel free to reach out to our expert team. We are more than ready to assist you.