Pre-eclampsia is one of the most common, and most serious, disorders that can affect a pregnant woman. In Australia, 5-10% of pregnant women will be diagnosed with this condition, which if left untreated, can have a serious impact on the health of both mother and baby.
What is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is marked by high blood pressure, protein in the urine and extreme fluid retention. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but research suggests that is related in some way to the placenta. The condition can present itself at any point during pregnancy, but is most common late in the second trimester and throughout the third trimester. Sometimes pre-eclampsia can develop during delivery or even after the baby is born. In some rare instances it can occur up to 6 weeks after delivery.
Pre-eclampsia can affect any woman, but those with certain pre-existing conditions or health histories are considered more at risk of developing this disorder. Some of these risk factors include:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure before pregnancy
- Pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- First pregnancies
- Multiple pregnancies
- Diabetes
- A family history of pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure
Pre-eclampsia can either develop slowly over time or come on very quickly. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition, so that the early warning signs do not go unnoticed.
What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a dangerous condition because many women do not experience symptoms until they are quite unwell. For this reason alone, it is important to have regular pre-natal check-ups with a midwife or obstetrician. Some of the most common symptoms of pre-eclampsia include:
- A spike in a woman’s normal blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
- Swollen hands, feet or face
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vision complaints
- Upper abdominal pain
What are the health risks for the mother?
Untreated pre-eclampsia can lead to a range of serious health concerns for mother, including:
- Impaired kidney and liver function
- Blood clotting issues
- Fluid in the lungs
- Seizures and brain injury
- In rare cases, death
Once of the most serious complications of pre-eclampsia is known as HELLP syndrome, named after the symptoms exhibited by sufferers of the condition: H – hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), EL – elevated liver enzymes, LP – low platelet count.
Severe pre-eclampsia can also lead to eclampsia, which is characterised by seizures that can ultimately lead to brain damage or cause a woman to fall into a coma. These complications are very rare in Australia, and the rest of the developed world, and can usually be prevented if pre-eclampsia is diagnosed early.
What are the health risks for the baby?
Pre-eclampsia can restrict the blood supply to the placenta, making it difficult for oxygen and vital nutrients to reach the baby. As a result, the baby’s growth may be affected. Another serious complication of pre-eclampsia is placental abruption – when the placenta detaches itself from the wall of the uterus before the baby is born. This can be a life-threatening situation for both mother and baby.
Most women with pre-eclampsia will need to deliver their baby before the 37th week of pregnancy. These babies are considered pre-term. How early the baby will be born depends on the severity of the mother’s condition, and the gestational age of the baby. Sometimes, deciding on when to deliver a baby can be tricky, as a very premature baby will face other health risks once it is born.
How is pre-eclampsia treated?
There is no cure for pre-eclampsia other than delivery of the baby. During pregnancy, medication may be given to try and control escalating blood pressure. For more serious cases, magnesium sulphate may be prescribed to prevent seizures from occurring. Although a very effective treatment, magnesium sulphate is not without side-effects, some of which include:
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion
- Thirst
- Sweating
- Fatigue
Once pre-eclampsia has been diagnosed, many women will be admitted to hospital for the duration of their pregnancy so that they can be closely monitored. Other women with a milder form of the disorder, may be sent home, put on bed rest, and monitored every couple of days.
This article was written by Jo Harris for Birth. Sources include www.preeclampsia.org and Better Health Channel, Victoria
Last revised: Friday, 11 November 2011
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.