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Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
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Preeclampsia is a syndrome marked by a sudden increase in the blood pressure of a pregnant woman after the 20th week of pregnancy. It can affect many organs in the mother including the kidneys, liver, and brain. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal for the mother and/or the baby and can lead to long-term health problems.
Eclampsia is a severe form of preeclampsia that can cause seizures and lead to a coma in the mother.
What are the Symptoms of Preeclampsia?
Mother's are assessed frequently to look for the signs of preeclampsia. They include:
- High blood pressure
- Too much protein in the urine
- Swelling in a woman’s face and hands (a woman’s feet might swell too, but swollen feet are common during pregnancy and may not signal a problem)
- Systemic problems, such as headache, blurred vision, and abdominal pain
What is the Treatment for Preeclampsia?
The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the fetus.
If preeclampsia develops, the health care provider's first plan is to try and prolong the pregnancy to give the fetus more time to grow and mature. If the preeclampsia is mild, rest and observation are tried initially. If the preeclampsia is severe, then the goal is to lower the blood pressure and deliver once the mother is stable. The health care provider will closely watch the mother for signs that the fetus needs to be delivered right away, even prematurely, if necessary. If the preeclampsia is severe enough and the fetus is not delivered, the mother could die. Health care providers will take steps to prevent the condition from being fatal for mother and baby.
If you have questions about preeclampsia and delivery, talk to your health care provider.
What are the Risk Factors for Preeclampsia?
There is no proven way to prevent preeclampsia, but some women are more likely to develop it, including women who
- Have high blood pressure before becoming pregnant.
- Had high blood pressure or preeclampsia in previous pregnancies.
- Have certain health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
- Are younger than age 20 or older than age 40.
- Are pregnant with more than one baby.
- Are overweight or obese.
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