Preeclampsia is a dangerous disorder of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy. People with preeclampsia frequently have hypertension and higher protein levels in their urination (proteinuria). Generally, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can also damage other organs and pose a threat to both the mother and her growing child. Due to these concerns, preeclampsia must be handled by a medical professional.

The Common Symptoms of Preeclampsia

It is crucial to know that you may not have any preeclampsia symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, common ones include the following:

chronic headache
upper abdominal discomfort
sickness or vomiting
breathlessness
strange swelling of your face and hands
rapid weight gain
Vision changes, like seeing spots or blurry vision

During a physical examination, your physician may determine that your bp is at least 140/90 millimetres of mercury. Additionally, urine and blood tests can detect protein in the urine, low platelet counts, and abnormal liver enzymes.

At this stage, your physician may do a test that does not harm your kid to monitor them. A non-stress check is an easy examination that monitors the variation in the baby's heart rate in response to the baby's movement. In addition, they can do an ultrasound to evaluate your baby's state and fluid levels.

What causes Preeclampsia

The causes of preeclampsia are currently under investigation. It is believed that preeclampsia is caused by an issue with the placenta's health. This organ grows in the uterus during pregnancy and is important for supplying oxygen and nourishment to the fetus. In preeclampsia, the placenta's blood supply may be diminished. This can result in complications for both the mother and the fetus. Even though stress can affect blood pressure, it is not a direct cause of preeclampsia. Some stress is inevitable during pregnancy, but it's best to avoid high-stress conditions or learn how to deal with them.

When should I see a doctor?

Call the top Apollo doctors immediately if you are suffering any symptoms of preeclampsia or if you are just feeling "different." Always choose the option of extreme caution. With quick diagnosis and treatment, treatment of preeclampsia can be possible. Hence, both mother and child will be safe.

Treatment of Preeclampsia

When preeclampsia is observed, both the mother and the baby are closely watched. Preeclampsia can't be fixed once it happens. The only true "cure" is the safe delivery of the baby and placenta. Some medicines that lower blood pressure can sometimes help a pregnancy last longer. However, in some cases, the baby must be born right away to save the life of either the mother or the baby.

When the situation is terrible, mothers are generally kept in the health centre so that they can be watched. They might get magnesium sulphate through an IV to lower their risk of having a stroke or seizure.

Conclusion

During pregnancy, it is essential to maintain optimal health for both mother and child. This involves consuming a healthy diet, taking folic acid-containing prenatal vitamins, and attending routine prenatal care visits. Discuss with your physician the steps you may take to reduce your likelihood of preeclampsia and its warning symptoms.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Hyderabad - Kondapur. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.

1. Can it lead to future health issues?

Women with preeclampsia are more likely to have heart disease, hypertension, and stroke in later life.

2. Preeclampsia: Can it be prevented?

The most effective strategy to reduce the probability of preeclampsia is to treat controllable health issues. Before getting pregnant, women must work with their physicians to change their diets to reduce weight, if necessary. Also, they should bring their blood pressure and diabetes under control.

3. How does preeclampsia impact the mother?

Preeclampsia is characterized by high BP and, if left untreated, can result in a variety of health complications. For mothers, it can put them in danger of liver and kidney difficulties, blood clotting problems, stroke, seizures, and fluid buildup inside the lungs.

4. How does preeclampsia affect the baby?

It can influence the development of the fetus during pregnancy. This can result in the baby being born early (premature birth), having a low birth weight, or even stillbirth in extreme situations.

5. How preeclampsia is diagnosed?

A check of the patient's blood pressure, blood work, an examination of the patient's urine to check the patient's kidney function, and an evaluation of the patient's liver function are all necessary steps in the diagnostic process. Regular prenatal checkups are crucial. It's possible that you won't even know you have preeclampsia.