Preeclampsia is a serious condition that occurs when you have elevated blood pressure and protein in your urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia occurs in about 4% of pregnancies. People with preeclampsia are more likely to deliver their baby preterm or via cesarean section (C-section).
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Doctors define preeclampsia as a serious condition that occurs when you have elevated blood pressure and protein in your urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Most people have mild high blood pressure during pregnancy, which carries few problems. But preeclampsia may cause you to have headaches, abdominal pain, or visual disturbances. Your blood pressure may return to normal after delivery, but in some cases, it can stay elevated for weeks or months.
Preeclampsia, also called toxemia or pregnancy-induced hypertension, can be dangerous for you and your baby. It can reduce oxygen and blood flow to your baby and cause damage to your liver, kidneys, or brain.
If you have preeclampsia, you're more likely to have an early (preterm, before 37 weeks) delivery or a C-section.
While preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition, outcomes for both you and your baby can be significantly improved through early diagnosis, routine monitoring, and timely medical intervention.
Severe preeclampsia can lead to dangerous seizures and a condition called eclampsia. Seizures greatly reduce the oxygen supply to the baby and, in rare cases, can be life-threatening.
About 1% of women who have preeclampsia have these life-threatening seizures. If you have a seizure during pregnancy, you should go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
While rare, some people develop preeclampsia after they deliver their baby, even if they didn't have blood pressure problems during their pregnancy. This is called postpartum preeclampsia.
Postpartum preeclampsia most often occurs within the first few days after giving birth. But for some people, it can occur within the first six weeks after giving birth. If this happens, you may need to be readmitted to the hospital to have your blood pressure treated and/or receive medication to help prevent seizures.
Postpartum preeclampsia is just as high-risk as preeclampsia and requires immediate treatment.
You should continue to watch for signs and symptoms of preeclampsia for the first few weeks after you deliver your baby and contact your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms. Your doctor may want to measure your blood pressure and test your urine and blood regularly to monitor your condition.
Preeclampsia occurs in about 4% of pregnancies and accounts for 2% to 8% of pregnancy-related complications.
The exact cause of preeclampsia isn't known, but it may occur because the placenta doesn't grow the usual network of blood vessels and limits blood flow to the baby.
The placenta is a round, flat organ that forms during pregnancy and gives your baby food and oxygen from your body. Any disruption to the proper development of the placenta can have serious implications for your health and your baby's health.
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing preeclampsia.
The factors include:
Preeclampsia may put you at a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
It's important to know that most people with preeclampsia give birth to healthy babies. But without treatment, preeclampsia can cause serious health complications for both you and your baby.
Complications caused by preeclampsia may include:
Many people with mild preeclampsia have no lasting effects, and their blood pressure returns to normal within a few weeks or months after birth. Sometimes, you'll need to continue taking blood pressure medication during this time.
Managing your blood pressure before and during pregnancy may lower your risk of preeclampsia.
Ways to help manage blood pressure include:
If you're at risk of getting preeclampsia, your doctor may suggest that you take a low-dose aspirin (also known as baby aspirin). Most doctors will recommend starting a regimen of low-dose aspirin between 12 to 28 weeks of pregnancy until delivery.
Common symptoms of preeclampsia include:
In most cases, the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia tend to appear in pregnancies that are approaching full-term. But if you experience these symptoms at any point in your pregnancy, see your doctor right away.
Some people with preeclampsia don't experience any of these symptoms, so it's important to attend regular prenatal exams to ensure that your blood pressure and urine tests are normal throughout your pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is easier to manage when detected in its early stages.
Most often, your doctor will diagnose preeclampsia during a prenatal visit. They'll check your blood pressure and test the protein levels in your urine at each visit.
Though you may have some symptoms, your doctor will only confirm a diagnosis of preeclampsia if you experience any or all of the following after 20 weeks of pregnancy:
They'll conduct these tests:
The only way to cure preeclampsia is to give birth. Your doctor will wait to deliver as long and as close to term as possible to keep both you and your baby safe. Treatment of preeclampsia will depend on the severity of your condition and how far along you are in your pregnancy.
You can better manage preeclampsia by listening to your doctor’s advice, which may include:
If you have mild preeclampsia, you still may be able to have a vaginal delivery as long as you and your baby are both stable. If your baby has trouble handling contractions or your preeclampsia quickly gets worse, then you may need an emergency C-section delivery.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-09-05.
