You’ve probably heard of pregnancy preeclampsia from your family, friends, doctors or the media. It is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, affecting roughly one in 25 pregnant women.
Pregnancy preeclampsia is prolonged high blood pressure during pregnancy, frequently developing after 20 weeks, that affects the mom's liver and kidney function. It presents itself often after 20 weeks and can cause serious complications if left untreated.
So, what causes pregnancy preeclampsia, and how do you know you have it? Here's everything you need to know about the condition.
- Pregnancy Preeclampsia Risk Factors
Some factors can be strong indicators of pregnancy preeclampsia. If you've experienced the condition in prior pregnancies, your risk is high, and you should consult your doctor.
Other risk factors:
- Your first pregnancy
- A multifetal pregnancy (twins)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Advanced maternal age (if you're over 35 years old)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Blood clotting disorders
- Family history of preeclampsia
2. Signs of Pregnancy Preeclampsia
After determining your risk levels for pregnancy preeclampsia, your obstetrician at AdventHealth Medical Group OB/GYN at Littleton, formerly CHPG Women's Health, will ensure you're screened during every prenatal checkup. The signs associated with pregnancy preeclampsia are blood pressure greater than 140 over 90 (tested twice, four hours apart) and urine containing high levels of proteins.
High blood pressure, without elevated proteins in your urine, is gestational hypertension, which does not have the same risks as pregnancy preeclampsia.
3. Symptoms of Pregnancy Preeclampsia
While gestational hypertension doesn’t cause detectable symptoms, pregnancy preeclampsia often leads to migraine-like symptoms.
“This can include severe headaches, blurry vision or spots in your vision, and upper right abdominal pain centered around the liver,” Jessica Salinas, MD, a Littleton OB/GYN, says.
Tell your doctor immediately if you're experiencing any of these symptoms. Without treatment, pregnancy preeclampsia can turn into eclampsia, which is a medical emergency that may require the early delivery of your baby to save both your lives.
4. Treating Pregnancy Preeclampsia
At AdventHealth Medical Group OB/GYN at Littleton, we are committed to monitoring your blood pressure and diagnosing pregnancy preeclampsia early. To do this, you must attend all regular check-ups and complete all recommended testing. If you're diagnosed with pregnancy preeclampsia, your doctor will monitor and treat the condition to keep you and your baby safe and prevent more serious complications from being introduced.
Treatment generally involves pregnancy-safe blood pressure medication that may be combined with meditation or other relaxation techniques. We can also recommend therapies to alleviate the symptoms you're experiencing.
Severe cases of pregnancy preeclampsia are marked by blood pressure higher than 160 over 110, a platelet count of less than 100,000, an abnormal liver function test, severe pain, impaired liver and kidney function, pulmonary edema (water in the lungs), severe headaches, and blurred or spotty vision. Treatment for severe preeclampsia typically involves early delivery.
5. Early Delivery
Pregnancy preeclampsia is often accompanied by early delivery, whether induced or natural. If your preeclampsia is not stabilized by 37 weeks, this may mean that your baby will have to be delivered to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.
Eclampsia occurs when you begin to have seizures along with your other symptoms, and at that point, the doctors have no other choice but to deliver your baby. If you're not yet at 37 weeks, a consultation with doctors will be held, and they'll determine the proper course of action through consensus.
It's always preferable to keep babies growing and developing in their mother's womb as long as possible, but even babies delivered prematurely these days have excellent survival rates. If your baby needs to be delivered early, trust that your Littleton obstetrician will support you and answer all your questions.
Find a Specialist for Pregnancy Preeclampsia
Our caring gynecologists, obstetricians, and midwives work with you every step of the way so you can be confident you and your little one will get the care you need. To schedule an appointment with one of our pregnancy specialists, call our practice at 720-922-6240.
