Pay Attention To Preeclampsia

During pregnancy there are a lot of changes taking place in a woman’s body. Her skin is stretching, her organs and bones are moving to accommodate a baby and her blood volume is almost double, just to name a few. Pregnancy can also cause certain conditions that otherwise wouldn’t be present if she weren’t pregnant. One of these conditions is called preeclampsia, or toxemia.

“Preeclampsia is a problem that occurs in some women during the last half of pregnancy which causes blood pressure to rise, persistent swelling and large amounts of protein in the urine,” says Catherine A. Holt, M.D., P.A, a board certified OB/Gyn practicing at Centennial Medical Center in Frisco, Texas. “It is important to realize that not all women with high blood pressure have preeclampsia, just as not all swelling means a woman has preeclampsia.”

While these are the most likely signs of preeclampsia, other signs of possible preeclampsia that should be reported to a physician immediately include:

• Persistent headaches
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• Abdominal pain

While it is not known what causes preeclampsia exactly, there are certain women who seem to be more susceptible to developing preeclampsia in their pregnancy explains Dr. Holt. Preeclampsia is more likely to occur in:

• Women with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure before becoming pregnant)
• Women who developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy, especially if these conditions occurred early in the pregnancy
• Women who are obese prior to pregnancy
• Pregnant women under the age of 20 or over the age of 40
• Women who are pregnant with more than one baby
• Women with diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma

Dr. Holt stresses that these women in particular need to take their risk seriously, because preeclampsia is a condition that affects both the mother and the growing baby. For the mother, preeclampsia can lead to the development of eclampsia which causes seizures. The seizures aren’t only potentially harmful for her, but to her baby as well. In addition, preeclampsia can also affect the placenta, the organ that carries oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby. It is a leading cause of fetal complications, including low birth weight, premature birth and stillbirth.

The good news is that preeclampsia can be treated. Of course, the best way to protect both the mother and baby from the effects of preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. If close to the due date, this may be an option. But if the baby is too small and not well enough developed, this is most likely not an option. Other options for treating preeclampsia may include bed-rest and/or medications to cause the blood pressure to decrease.

Since a close eye needs to be kept on the mother with preeclampsia, hospitalization might be required. A physician may also monitor salt intake and the amount of water being consumed. Other options a physician may choose to use are taking an aspirin or extra calcium, resting on the left side of the body to release pressure from major blood vessels, or giving magnesium sulfate during labor and a few days after delivery to help prevent the development of eclampsia.

“The best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby is to get regular prenatal care as well as take good care of yourself. Be educated. Know your risks. If are experiencing signs of possible preeclampsia, contact your physician immediately,” says Dr. Holt.

For more information on this subject contact the American Academy of Family Physicians at www.familydoctor.org. Dr. Catherine Holt is a board certified OB/Gyn practicing at Centennial Medical Center in Frisco, Texas.