Expecting a baby is an exciting time - decorating the nursery, picking names, daydreaming how your little one will look - it’s all part of the experience. But don’t let common pregnancy complications cloud your special time. Knowing the symptoms of preeclampsia can make a huge difference in your care.
“Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby,” said Samuel Bauer, M.D., a Beaumont obstetrician. “It affects at least 5 to 8 percent of all pregnancies and is a rapidly progressive condition.”
A preeclampsia diagnosis comes with high blood pressure. If it goes untreated, it can progress into a serious, life-threatening issue.
Know the symptoms and risk factors
Preeclampsia moves fast and is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Also, be on the lookout for:
- swelling of face or hands
- a headache that will not go away
- seeing spots or changes in eyesight
- pain in the upper abdomen or shoulder
- nausea and vomiting (in the second half of pregnancy)
- sudden weight gain
- difficulty breathing
“There is more recognition and early diagnosis of preeclampsia which has led to a perceived rise. In addition, risk factors for hypertensive diseases in pregnancy continue to rise in the United States including advanced maternal age, maternal obesity, diabetes and multifetal pregnancies,” explained Dr. Bauer.
Those with a history of preeclampsia, renal disease and some autoimmune diseases are also at risk.
Common misconceptions
One of the most common misunderstandings about preeclampsia is that once the baby is delivered, it’s over.
It’s not.
If left untreated, preeclampsia can progress to HELPP syndrome. HELPP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. Severe chest/shoulder pain is a common symptom of HELPP, which can occur after giving birth.
Check out the Preeclampsia Foundation and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for more information.
What hospitals are doing
The data on pregnancy-related complications is startlingly high. Through the nationally recognized Safe Motherhood Initiative, Beaumont, and other hospitals, now follow standards for early warning signs, diagnostic criteria, monitoring and treatment for preeclampsia.
“At Beaumont, we hold unit education on protocols and unit-based drills. We also have a process for timely triage and evaluation of pregnant and postpartum women with suspected hypertension. There are systems in place for escalation of care for women with hypertension in pregnancy,” noted Dr. Bauer.
When you're researching where you want to deliver, for your own peace of mind, be sure to ask about the protocols in place for complications such as preeclampsia.
During your next visit to the doctor, ask about your risk for developing preeclampsia and if a low-dose daily aspirin can help. Don't forget to work with your health care provider on the things you can be doing to maintain a healthy pregnancy and delivery.