Preeclampsia - Q and A
Q - What is Preeclampsia?
A - When a pregnant woman has high blood pressure, protein in the urine and generalized body swelling (oedema), she is said to have Preeclampsia.
High blood pressure in this case is defined as
Above 140/90 mmHg
OR
A systolic blood pressure rise of 30 points above pre-pregnancy values.
OR
A diastolic blood pressure rise of 15 points above pre-pregnancy values.
Q - When does it usually occur?
A - It is common during the last 3 months of pregnancy but can occur anytime after the 5th month of pregnancy.
Q - What is the cause of Preeclampsia?
A - There is generalized narrowing of the small blood vessels called arterioles and there is evidence to suggest that it is an immunogenic response.
Q - What are the risk factors?
A - The following factors increase the chances of having Preecampsia.
- Previous illness like diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Maternal age less than 20 years or greater than 35 years.
- First pregnancies are more commonly affected than subsequent ones.
- Being pregnant for a new man. Your risk increases even if you have been pregnant many times before but this present pregnancy is for a new man.
- If you have a family history or your husband's mother had preeclampsia.
If you have any of the risk factors, inform your doctor about it so that the necessary precautions will be taken and appropriate care will be given to you.
Q - What are the symptoms?
A - Below are some of the symptoms. It's important to note that they may or may not all be present at the same time.
- Headaches.
- Visual changes like blurred vision and dark areas in visual field.
- Decreased urine output.
- Easy bruising and bleeding.
- Generalized body swelling.
- Blood pressure when checked is elevated above 140/90 mmHg.
- Problems with breathing and coughing due to chest congestion.
Q - What are the harmful effects on my baby?
A - Some of the harmful effects on the baby are:
- Delivery of the baby before it is fully mature.
- Death of the baby in the womb.
- Delivery of a baby that is so small.
- Restriction of growth of the baby in the womb.
If you have preeclampsia, discuss with your Obstetrician about these and other harmful effects.
Q - What are the harmful effects on the mother?
A - It can cause some of these effects on the mother:
- Convulsions. When this happens, it is called eclampsia
- Bleeding into the brain.
- Kidney failure.
- Liver failure.
- Problems with breathing.
- Need for operative delivery.
- Excessive bleeding.
Q - How is it treated?
A - It is treated by using drugs to lower the blood pressure of the mother and baby to prevent complications, and also preparing for the earliest possible date for delivery of the baby. Some times, magnesium sulphate is given to prevent the development of seizures.
Q - What to do after delivery
A - You and your doctor need to discuss your risk factors and possible plans for future pregnancies.
Q - Where can I find more information?
A -
- Your obstetrician is best source of more information.
- You can find other sources of information on preeclampsia in our links page.
Created - June, 2006
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