Preeclampsia

PREECLAMPSIA - Are you & your baby at risk?

How Common Are High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy?

Women with high blood pressure are usually aware that they have it however many do nothing to control it. And although many pregnant women with high blood pressure deliver healthy babies, high blood pressure can be dangerous for the foetus and the expectant mother. Women who suffer chronic high blood pressure or have had past problems with it are more likely to have certain complications during their pregnancy than those women who have normal blood pressure. Some women can develop high blood pressure during pregnancy and the effects of this can range from mild to severe. The mother's kidneys and other organs can me harmed and it can also bring on an early delivery and low birth weight for the baby.

In the most serious of cases, the mother develops preeclampsia - or "toxemia" - which can threaten the lives of both the foetus and the mother.


What is PREECLAMPSIA?
Preeclampsia develops in 5% of pregnant women. It is a complication that develops or increases during pregnancy. The cause is yet to be discovered. It typically starts after the 20th week of pregnancy, is related to increased & dangerously high blood pressure and as a result of kidney problems; protein appears in the mother's urine.

Preeclampsia affects the placenta, and it can affect the mother's lungs, kidney, liver, and brain. Preeclampsia can cause seizures in which case then the condition is then called eclampsia. Preeclampsia is a leading cause of foetal complications, which includes low birth weight, premature birth, and stillbirth.
There is no proven way to prevent preeclampsia. Most women who develop signs of preeclampsia, however, are closely monitored to lessen or avoid related problems. The way to "cure" preeclampsia is to deliver the baby.

Factors that can increase the risk of Preeclampsia?

• Pregnant women who are under the age of 20 or over the age of 40.
  
• A woman's first pregnancy.
  
• Women who are expecting more than one baby. (twins, triplets)
  
• Women with kidney disease, lupus, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Women who are overweight prior to pregnancy.
  
• Women who suffer with high blood pressure before becoming pregnant.
  
• Women who have developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy.
  
• Too much amniotic fluid
  
• African-American Women
  

How Is Preeclampsia Detected?
Unfortunately, there is no single test to diagnose or predict preeclampsia. A healthcare professional will look for Key signs such as increased blood pressure and protein in the urine (proteinuria).
Other symptoms that seem to occur with preeclampsia are:

• Swelling in the face and hands
  
• Persistent headaches
  
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
  
• Increased and sudden weight gain.
  
• Anaemia or low red blood cell counts
  
• Abdominal pain
  

Other conditions and disorders can cause the sensations listed. If you are feeling any of these things, don't jump to conclusions. These symptoms can also occur in completely healthy pregnancies. Making sure you keep regular visits with your doctor will help him or her to track your blood pressure and the level of protein in your urine. This way they can order and analyze blood tests that detect signs of preeclampsia, and to monitor foetal development more closely.

How Can Women with High Blood Pressure Prevent Problems During Pregnancy?
There are no known ways to prevent preeclampsia. The most important thing is to make sure you take extra care of yourself if you are thinking about having a baby. If you know you have high blood pressure, talk first to your doctor or nurse about possible risks. Getting regular prenatal care and doing what you can to control your blood pressure before and during the pregnancy will assist in ensuring yours and your baby's health is optimal.

Before becoming pregnant:
If you are overweight, try to lose some weight and get involved in a regular exercise regime. Being fitter and of a healthier body weight can be helpful. Discuss all of these things with your doctor.
If you take medication for high blood pressure ask your doctor about the effects this may have on pregnancy and whether a different dosage or medication should be taken.
If you take medicines for your blood pressure, ask your doctor whether you should change the amount you take or stop taking them during pregnancy.

While you are pregnant:
Avoid antagonistic substances to high blood pressure such as alcohol, cigarettes, smoky environments and make sure you talk to your doctor about any over the counter medicines or vitamins you are considering taking or have taken in the past. Sometimes things you may think are harmless may affect you differently while pregnant. Obtain regular prenatal care.

What are the long term effects of the disease?
Both the mother and the baby are at risk of certain things. These are some of the following risks:

• Prematurity
  
• Increased risk of caesarian section
  
• Suffocation at birth or asphyxia
  
• Premature delivery
  
• Lack of normal growth of the bay within the womb leading (intrauterine growth retardation.)
  
• Eclampsia - seizures which can be potentially fatal for both Mother & baby (The seizures of eclampsia are marked by general abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This causes loss of consciousness, muscle spasms and short-term memory problems.)
  
• Foetal distress
  

Treatment for Preeclampsia
A cure for Preeclampsia is giving birth. The safety of the mother is usually considered first. Hopefully then the delivery of a healthy baby that does not require long intensive care will follow. Preeclampsia limits blood flow to the placenta and therefore to the foetus. The healthcare provider may decide to induce labor if the mother is showing symptoms of preeclampsia as blood flow may already be severely reduced.

This decision will be dependent upon:

• the age of the foetus
  
• condition of mother & foetus
  
• presence of labor
  
• the parents desires
  
• severity of the condition
  

If the symptoms are mild, then patients can often be able to carry through to term but will require regular check-ups and plenty of bed rest.

If severe symptoms hit then delivery may be induced. These include:

• Signs of kidney failure
  
• Pain in the upper right abdomen
  
• seizures (eclampsia)
  
• severe & persistent and headaches
  
• extremely high blood pressure for more than 24 hours
  
• Fluid in the lungs
  
• falling platelet count
  
• Foetal distress
  
• Failure of foetal growth evident in ultrasound monitoring
  

If blood pressure cannot be controlled then a caesarian section may be needed. Some medications can be taken to prevent eclampsia such as Magnesium sulfate and other drugs.
Medications to lower blood pressure may also be prescribed. These can bring with them side effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression and respiratory arrest. Surgery can carry risks of infection, bleeding and sometimes even death.

A woman can still be at risk of seizures (eclampsia) for up to 6 weeks after delivery. The mother needs to be watched. Blood pressure, urine protein, serum platelet count, liver function tests, and other indicators may need to be checked. A premature baby will need hospital care.

For further and more detailed reading on this subject:

www.parentsplace.com
www.lifeclinic.com
www.emedicine.com

- Michelle Palmer