• Danger level: High

    What is it?

    Preeclampsia happens when pregnant women have high blood pressure coupled with a high level of protein in the urine.

    Who gets it?

    Preeclampsia occurs in as many as 10% of pregnancies, usually in the last half of pregnancy (after 20 weeks of pregnancy).

    Some risk factors can increase your risk of having preeclampsia during pregnancy -

    1. History of preeclampsia – If you or someone in your close family (sister or mother) has had it your risk is higher.
    2. First pregnancy – Miscarriages don’t count.
    3. Age – Your chances of getting preeclampsia are higher if you’re younger than 20 or over 35-40.
    4. Obesity
    5. Multiple pregnancy – If you are carrying twins, triplets, etc., your chances are higher.
    6. Diabetes during pregnancy
    7. If you had certain diseases before pregnancy – Such as High blood pressure, kidney disease, lupus, or diabetes

    The good news is, if you didn’t have preeclampsia in your first pregnancy, chances are lower that you’ll develop it in the next one.

    What causes it?

    Doctors used to think that preeclampsia is caused by a toxin in the pregnant woman’s bloodstream (this is why it was once called toxemia). This theory is no longer supported.

    Until now, no one knows for sure what causes it.

    How does it feel?

    Preeclampsia can be mild or severe.

    When it is mild, the woman has mildly high blood pressure and a small amount of excess protein in the urine. Sometimes women also experience edema in the mild condition – this is swelling of the face or hands.

    preeclampsia

    Having high blood pressure and protein in your urine during pregnancy means you have preeclampsia. Photo by Pensiero.

    Since most women with mild preeclampsia will only have a rise in blood pressure and protein in the urine, routine visits to the doctor are advised for every pregnant woman, so that the condition won’t be missed.

    Mild preeclampsia can worsen and become severe preeclampsia. Possible signs include:

    1. Blood pressure higher than 160/110. (If these numbers confuse you, you can read our article about high blood pressure). In this range, you have an increased risk of stroke.
    2. Persistent severe headache – It usually doesn’t go away even after taking pain killers.
    3. Problems with the kidney in blood tests or decreased urination
    4. Fluids in the lungs – This may cause shortness of breath.
    5. A low number of platelets in the blood – Since platelets help with blood clotting, this situation can lead to easy bruising or bleeding.
    6. Problems with the liver in blood tests. These liver problems may also manifest as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
    7. Destruction of red blood cells in the body
    8. Separation of the placenta from the uterus – This is a life threatening situation both for the mother and baby.

    This situation is no less dangerous for the baby. It can lead to problems in its growth, since the placenta may not receive enough blood.  The baby may also be born prematurely (exposing the baby to possible learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and hearing and vision problems).

    How is it discovered?

    During pregnancy, each woman is advised to visit the doctor for routine tests. These tests include a blood pressure check and a urine test, among others. If after 20 weeks of pregnancy a high blood pressure and protein in the urine are discovered, it means you have preeclampsia.

    How is it treated?

    The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby.

    This can’t be done at each phase of pregnancy, naturally, since the baby might not be fully developed. It can be done safely if you’re around 37 weeks pregnant.

    If delivery is needed and you’re at or before 34 weeks of pregnancy, you may be given steroids. They speed up the baby’s lungs’ development.

    If it’s too early for delivery or delivery is not wanted for other reasons, you and your baby may be monitored closely until delivery is possible.

    What happens after treatment?

    If the preeclampsia is mild throughout pregnancy, not much harm is done to the mother or baby.

    If, on the other hand, the preeclampsia is severe, treatment (delivery) is important. Otherwise, the woman’s kidney and liver may be harmed and bleeding may occur, as mentioned above. The baby may be born prematurely, or with a low weight.


    The bottom line – How do I avoid it?

    Currently there is no known way to prevent preeclampsia. The only thing you can do is detect it early by visiting your doctor for routine checkups during pregnancy.

    This video sums it all up:


    What next?

    Get free site updates by RSS or by Email, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

    »crosslinked«

    Related posts:

    1. Ectopic Pregnancy – A Dangerous Pregnancy Outside the Uterus
    2. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) – All You Need To Know
    3. Early Pregnancy Symptoms Explained
    4. As Seen on Grey’s Anatomy – Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
    5. Cystic Fibrosis – A Dangerous Inherited Disease Causing Thick Secretions

    Posted by Roy @ 10:16 am18.08.2009

    Tags: , ,

  • Facebook comments:

    • http://www.breastpumpdeals.com/avent-isis-iq-duo-breast-pump.html Isis

      I was diagnosed with preeclampsia during my first pregnancy in 2007. I am now pregnant with my second child, 7 weeks. I am worried about getting preeclampsia again.Anyone else going through this or has gone through this?

    • http://www.breastpumpdeals.com/avent-isis-iq-duo-breast-pump.html Isis

      I was diagnosed with preeclampsia during my first pregnancy in 2007. I am now pregnant with my second child, 7 weeks. I am worried about getting preeclampsia again.Anyone else going through this or has gone through this?

Get Site Updates

Like us

Organs

Tags

Flomax overnight cod coupons discount software windows xp software wholesale price bea oracle billion price share business agrees buy deal software sopcast download software price comparison of records management software buying oem software purchase online prescription Crestor without download counter software software at discount prices cheap ho9me design software cheap abacuslaw software cheap software reviews download dvd burning software cheap tax software pocket pc software downloads review tpa transfer pricing software cheap software download transfer pricing software download dvd burning software telecharger autodesk maya 2012 download cyberlink youcam offline how to buy Orlistat without a prescription purchase Lasix money purchase david wong nanaimo bc purchase xenical without a prescription online buy xenical online without a prescription and no membership buy Maxalt pills Maxalt valtrex buy achat Valtrex purchase Valtrex pay pal without rx valtrex doctor generic indian valtrex buy cheap valtrex no prescription (no prescriptions needed for Buspar|buy Buspar with no prescription|online pharmacies Buspar|Buspar cheap|buy Buspar without rx|purchase rx Buspar without|Buspar purchase online|purchase Buspar online without rx|purchase Buspar free consultation|buy Buspar Online|buy Buspar american express|buy Buspar Online|buy cheap Buspar with dr. prescription|Buspar side effects|fedex Buspar without priscription|overnight Buspar without a rx|order cheap overnight Buspar|Buspar toronto|uk order Buspar|Buspar no doctors prescription|Buspar mexico|Buspar order|no prescription Buspar with fedex|order generic Buspar|buy Buspar without rx from us pharmacy|prezzo Buspar|Buspar 10mg|Buspar from canada|purchasing Buspar without a script|buy Buspar australia|purchase Buspar visa without prescription|online purchase Buspar|buy Buspar no perscription cod|buy Buspar drugs|buy Buspar with visa|buy Buspar without rx needed|buy Buspar without prescription|buy Buspar no prescription low cost|purchase purchase Buspar Flomax overnight corel draw x5 on amazon too cheap order overnight Lasix where can i buy Lasix Finpecia uk sales Nolvadex overnight without prescription blue cross health Nolvadex nextday Nolvadex buy Nolvadex in Delaware synthroid shipped c.o.d buy synthroid pay pal without rx purchase 10mg accutane 40 mg overnight delivery delivered zithromax free prescription zithromax free shipping isotretinoin 10mg distributor buy 100 mg zithromax visa prescription zithromax c.o.d. purchasing zithromax online without prescription order zithromax 100 mg visa zithromax online fed ex zithromax Cod Overnight Delivery purchase Nolvadex amex online without rx how to order Nolvadex online without a prescription buy discount Nolvadex online order Nolvadex now Nolvadex free consultation fedex overnight delivery order Nolvadex without a prescription overnight shipping zithromax cheap overnight fedex order Paxil overnight delivery order Paxil on line buy Paxil without prescription buy Paxil tablets without rx purchase online Paxil without rx purchase online rx Paxil without purchase Paxil money purchase Paxil orderd online without prescription purchase Paxil pay pal online without rx Paxil no prior script buy Paxil without buying Paxil online without rx purchase Paxil online no membership overnight shipping purchase Paxil paypal without prescription prednisone ups buy 10 mg prednisone visa buy prednisone 10 mg without prescription buy prednisone saturday delivery cheap prednisone next day delivery purchase Paxil without rx needed order Paxil without prescription to ship overnight generic prednisone 40 mg mastercard order prednisone on line purchase prednisone without prescription pay cod order prednisone online with cod purchase prednisone without rx to ship overnight prednisone without prescription cod prednisone mastercard prednisone Cheap C.O.D order accutane overnight purchase Orlistat overnight Lasix u.p.s shipping cod buying Lasix online without rx order Orlistat free next day airOrlistat on line Valtrex orderd online without prescription buy low cost Maxalt buy Finpecia online no prescription buy mail order finpecia finpecia by mail how to buy finpecia online without rx buy maxalt online without a prescription purchase Valtrex pay pal online without rx purchase no perscription Buspar buy Buspar with mastercard order prednisone overnight cheap buying prednisone over the counter where to buy generic Proscar online without a rx online pharmacy Valtrex no prescription Valtrex no rx needed cod accepted Zithromax online prescription generic Zithromax online purchase Buspar money purchase no prescription Arimidex with fedex buy cheap Arimidex online Cytotec without prescriptionwhere to buy Cytotec in brisbane buy Cytotec no prescription needed thu thuat office 2003 download microsoft office professional 2007 no rx Buspar buy Proscar no prescription adobe flash amd64 adobe photoshop elements version 3 Crestor without rx accutane 40 mg online without prescription windows xp codec audio 0.4 mg Tamsulosin Purchase Computer Software Where Can I Download Photoshop Cs3 For Free where to buy valtrex online buy Buspar without rx office 2003 prodcut key download adobe flash files adobe reader japanese fonts purchase Crestor without a rx online buy Crestor now el Crestor generico adobe photoshop cs3 extended key gen microsoft office picture manager 2003 buy Orlistat cheap adobe seasoning Xp Sp3 Download Buy Microsoft Office Cheap descargar autocad 9 buy brand Flomax buy discount online ahead Flomax ohne rezept photoshop cs5 forsale used 3.0 2009 Download Windows 7 Home Edition Free Version Of Photoshop where can i buy Flomax without prescription where can i buy Valtrex without a rx uk order Crestor purchase Valtrex online solidworks 2012 purchase microsoft office access 2003 Buspar buy online in stock order finpecia free next day airfinpecia on line flashbuilder oem purchase Valtrex without prescription from us pharmacy buy microsoft office professional plus 2010 final 3d max 2012 ntfs for macos tomtom vs canada Tamsulosin Flomax 3d studio max 9 buy Buy Fincar 5 mg visa snd effects virtual dj js cobalt ascii art order generic Valtrex cheap sperry cyberlink powerdirector 9 deluxe installer embarcadero rad studio 2010 serial crack buy Valtrex no visa online without rx Valtrex online without prescription Flomax cheap mexican Flomax overdose premier system products buy software microsoft picture it photo premium 10 sales buy valtrex cheap without prescription comprare Prednisone generico symantec endpoint protection no genera reportes free Buspar where buy Tamsulosin police adobe Valtrex drug discount Zithromax buy Bupropion on line amex buy Amitriptyline buy Zithromax with a mastercard buy rx Buspar without prednisone no script buy rx prednisone without buy prednisone paypal without rx adobe indesign 5.5 requires which mac os Buy Windows Xp X64 purchase Orlistat Creative Suite 5 Release buy Valtrex amex online without prescription buy chair buy genuine Orlistat online Acrobat Writer Software buy Valtrex on line Autocad Models buy discount valtrex Buspar online prescription buy Prednisone no perscription cod Zithromax 250 mg purchase accutane 40 mg overnight delivery Discount Microsoft WindowsLightroom 2 Windows 7Ms Office StandardPhotoshop Cs5 UpgradeComputer Monitors For SaleWindows Xp InstallSuite Microsoft OfficeAutocad Version 2007Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Standard DownloadIe8 Download For Windows 7Adobe Paint ShopMicrosoft Service Pack 2Free Download Adobe AcrobatStudent And Teacher EditionManage ImageAdobe Acrobat 7 Pro DownloadVista Home Premium To Windows 7 UltimateWindows 7 Home Premium Upgrade OemAdobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection Student And Teacher EditionBuy Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3Ms Office 2010 Home And StudentCompare Photo SoftwareMicrosoft Office Word Viewer 2010Windows 7 Upgrade Student Discount ProfessionalWindows 7 Updates DownloadCreative Suite WebAdobe Reader VistaMicrosoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade 64 BitPhotoshop 2Ie8 Download For Windows 7Photoshop 2009Suite Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft Office 2007 VersionUpgrade Windows Vista To 7Autocad Lt 2010Autocad 2010 Best PriceDownload Acrobat Reader 8 lightroom license .txt where can i buy herbal Prednisone order no online rx finpecia generic Orlistat online el Buspar generico software download intuit where to purchase generic Prednisone online without a rx Adobe Creative Suite Cs1 best Buspar online pill Valtrex order buy generic Valtrex pills order no prescription Valtrex purchase Proscar without buy Cytotec diet pills order Cytotec without a rx overnight shipping buy Cytotec online illegal canada finpecia purchase Cytotec over the counter fedex where can i purchase finpecia without a prescription buy finpecia in india buy cheap fedex Crestor windows security updates children software bug software picture window pro order finpecia online cheap dicount software for you adobe photoshop oem version discounted cheap macromedia dreamweaver mx 2004 download collection software adobe after effects 9 windows manufacture cheap software games adobe dreamweaver cs burning software dvd buy Orlistat without rx Rosuvastatin overnight buy buspar amex online without prescription best dvd software sec discounted cash flow software window bird feeder windows vista home premiun