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Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia – also called toxemia – is a serious condition that causes women to develop extremely high blood pressure during their pregnancy, usually in the second trimester. It can cause severe damage to your organs and nervous system and can even lead to death.
Are You at Risk?
Your doctor or midwife will check for preeclampsia at every prenatal appointment by monitoring your blood pressure and checking for protein in your urine. It's more common in first-time pregnancies and in women who have a history of high blood pressure.
It's also more common in women who:
- are teenagers
- are 35 or older
- have diabetes
- have chronic high blood pressure
- are carrying multiples
- have a family history of preeclampsia
Symptoms
Preeclampsia causes water retention, which is marked by swelling in your hands, ankles and face, and/or a sudden large weight gain. If left untreated, symptoms can include:
- headaches
- blurry vision or seeing spots
- stomach pain
In her book, "Having Your Baby," Dr. Hilda Hutcherson says that if you have any of the symptoms of preeclampsia you should call your doctor immediately no matter how you're feeling.
Treatment
If you develop preeclampsia, your doctor may try to manage it by putting you on bed rest, having you lie on your left side (to encourage blood flow to your uterus), and monitoring you closely. Management will depend on where you are in your pregnancy.
The only cure for preeclampsia is no longer being pregnant. If you develop severe preeclampsia, your doctor or midwife may recommend that you give birth immediately, even if the baby isn't ready to be born.
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