Pregnancy brings about numerous changes in the body. Sometimes these changes can be very minimal and negligible, but sometimes they can have a serious impact on the pregnancy and the health of both the mother and the baby. Such serious conditions need to be addressed as early as possible, to reduce their impact on the pregnancy outcome. Preeclampsia is one such serious health complication during pregnancy. Can you prevent or control it? How can you manage preeclampsia during pregnancy? Here is everything you need to know.
Preeclampsia is a health complication in pregnancy that can cause very high blood pressure and increase the protein content in the urine. It usually affects women in the second half of their pregnancy—after the 20th week—and is more common in first pregnancies. In most cases, it can resolve on its own 6 weeks after the delivery. However, in some cases, the preeclampsia can continue or even start right after the delivery.
Preeclampsia can cause many complications during pregnancy and affect both the mother’s and the baby’s health. If you are diagnosed with preeclampsia or are at risk of developing it later in your pregnancy, your healthcare provider will closely monitor your blood pressure every visit and take regular tests. Catching it early can help them design a treatment plan that does not put you, the baby, or the pregnancy at any risk.
Preeclampsia is very common. If left untreated, it can lead to the following complications in pregnancy:
● Preterm delivery – delivery before 37 weeks
● Increased protein content in blood, leading to kidney damage
● Increase the stress on the heart that is already doing extra work to support the pregnancy
● Cause fluid to build up in the lungs, leading to respiratory issues
● Cause liver damage
● Insufficient blood supply to the placenta, which in turn can affect fetal growth and development
● Severe preeclampsia can even lead to death
Here are some preeclampsia symptoms to watch out for:
● Blurry vision
● Eyes are very sensitive to light
● Black spots in the vision
● Pain in the upper right abdominal area
● Edema – swelling of ankles, hands or face
● Shortness of breath
● Decrease in the functioning of the liver or kidneys
● Decreased urination
● Low blood platelet count
Preeclampsia is a common side effect of pregnancy. In most cases, it will resolve on its own within a few weeks after the delivery. The exact cause for this condition in pregnancy is still not very clear. Some studies and doctors believe it could be due to a problem with the blood supply to the placenta.
Preeclampsia can quickly become dangerous when left untreated, especially during pregnancy. Pregnancy brings about a lot of restrictions when it comes to medications for various health conditions. If you are suffering from preeclampsia during pregnancy, you can manage it in the following ways:
1. Rest – The first method to reduce high blood pressure is by resting. The doctor might advise bed rest if your pressure is too high. Staying in bed will also increase blood flow to the placenta.
2. Diet - Reducing intake of sodium and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables rich in other essential nutrients can help lower the blood pressure. Studies show that eating more fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of preeclampsia by 20%.
3. Medications – If your preeclampsia is severe and causes other health issues, your doctor will prescribe medications to control the other issues first. Oral medications can help keep your blood pressure within safe ranges. If the blood pressure is too high, they may give you intravenous medication to quickly bring down the blood pressure, before it can cause other complications.
4. Hospitalisation – If the blood pressure is too high, your doctor will want to keep you in the hospital for close monitoring.
5. Early Delivery – Preeclampsia will resolve on its own a few weeks after delivery. If your blood pressure is too high and is causing other issues, the only way to stop further damage to you or the baby is by delivering the baby early. The doctors will wait as long as possible before taking this step. If you are more than 37 weeks pregnant, the baby will be fully developed, and delivering the baby through a caesarean section will be safe. In severe cases, the doctor will deliver the baby earlier and keep the baby under observation.
Some women are at a high risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy. Here are some ways that may help in preventing preeclampsia:
● Weight Management – Weight gain is a part of pregnancy. If you are at risk of high blood pressure, ensure you maintain your weight. If you are already overweight, change your diet and lifestyle to reduce weight. Excess weight gain can lead to high blood pressure.
● Healthy Lifestyle – Regular exercise, getting enough sleep and eating on time can help. Reducing salt and caffeine intake during pregnancy can also help.
● Aspirin – Aspirin is a common medication you can get over the counter. Doctors can prescribe this to prevent preeclampsia if you fall under the high-risk category. Do not take aspirin unless your doctor prescribes it.
Preeclampsia is a common side effect of pregnancy. While it can be very mild and manageable in some women, it can be very severe and in need of medical intervention in some cases. Keeping a close watch on the mother and the developing baby and taking the necessary steps as and when the situation demands, is the best way to ensure the preeclampsia does not cause any severe damage or complications to the pregnancy.
Preeclampsia, when not treated in time, can lead to complications like premature birth, organ damage, seizures, placental abruption, fetal growth restrictions, hypertension, heart issues, bleeding problems, or even death.
Yes, very high blood pressure can cause a miscarriage, preterm delivery, or excess bleeding during or after delivery. In severe cases, it can even lead to death.
You can reduce your risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy by changing your diet, eating healthier, being physically active, managing weight and chronic health conditions, not missing prenatal doctor visits, and being very attentive to early warning signs and symptoms.
The first treatment option is bed rest. In severe cases, medications and hospitalisation can help. If the blood pressure is too high and if the risk is high, the doctor will deliver the baby before the due date.
