Should I Worry About Preeclampsia?
It can be serious, but is highly treatable when caught early
As if you didn’t have enough to worry about while pregnant, you’ve just heard of preeclampsia—a condition that can threaten your life and your baby’s. It’s true that preeclampsia can be serious, but most expectant mothers need not worry, says maternal-fetal (high-risk childbirth) specialist John Smulian, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “The majority of cases are identified quickly and treated without any significant problems for mother or baby,” he says.
Preeclampsia affects many organs in the body. “The most common features are high blood pressure and increased protein in the urine,” Smulian says, “but you don’t have to have really high blood pressure to have preeclampsia.” Other symptoms may include swelling in the hands and face, severe headaches, vision problems and upper belly pain.
The condition occurs in up to 1 in 12 pregnancies, most often after the halfway point. While the exact cause isn’t known, experts do know that you’re at higher risk with a family or personal history of preeclampsia. Twins, obesity prior to pregnancy, a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus and certain other medical problems also raise your risk.
If you develop preeclampsia in its mildest form—slightly elevated blood pressure and a small amount of protein in the urine—your obstetrician may prescribe rest and frequent blood pressure and urine monitoring. If you’re near your due date, delivery may be recommended.
Untreated, preeclampsia can progress to a more severe phase, which can involve dangerously high blood pressure. That can lead to the baby being born prematurely or very small, as well as seizures in the mother. “When the condition is complex and severe, it may require care from our team of maternal-fetal specialists, the largest in the region,” Smulian says. The ultimate cure is delivery of the baby.
Today, routine prenatal visits typically include blood pressure and urine checks, so preeclampsia can be spotted as early as possible. If you’re concerned about symptoms or risk factors, talk to your doctor. “For women at the highest risk, there are several strategies to help prevent preeclampsia,” Smulian says. “And for every expectant mother, the best strategy is to be in good health, maintain a balanced diet (including dietary fiber and calcium) and take prenatal vitamins.”
Want to Know More about what to expect during pregnancy? Call 610-402-CARE.
Published from Healthy You Magazine, November-December 2008
This page last updated 10/23/08 10:43 AM
