Preeclampsia : a Silent Health Risk for Expecting Moms

The miracle of birth is an exciting journey. It can also be scary for many reasons. Your body goes through changes and you become increasingly more uncomfortable. The thought of your up coming arrival will often times make it easy to forget some of the changes you are experiencing and ignore important signs and symptoms. The birth of your child should be a happy time however you should also be aware of the risks associated with pregnancy. One of the more serious complications of pregnancy is Preeclampsia.

What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia (pre-e-KLAMP-se-uh) (also referred to as Toxemia) only occurs during pregnancy and the short postpartum period.
It can appear at any time during the course of pregnancy, delivery and up to six weeks post-partum. However it most frequently occurs in the final trimester around the 20th week and resolves within 48 hours of delivery. It affects 5-8% of all pregnancies and can be deadly for both mother and child. Preeclampsia can also lead into HELLP syndrome and Eclampsia.
This disorder is often referred to as "silent killer". Often women diagnosed with preeclampsia do not "feel sick". Preeclampsia causes your blood pressure to rise and puts you at risk of stroke or impaired kidney function, impaired liver function, blood clotting problems, pulmonary edema, and seizures, and in severe cases can cause maternal and infant death. Symptoms associated with preeclampsia can often be mistaken for normal pregnancy symptoms.
*Courtesy of www.preeclampsia.org

The symptoms associated with this disorder include:

•Pregnancy induced high blood pressure
•Swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, and hands
•Rapid weight gain
•Trouble catching your breath
•Headaches (from the high blood pressure)
•Stomach or Right Shoulder Pain
•Protein in the urine
•Nausea or vomiting
•Lower back pain
•Changes in vision
•Racing pulse
•Hyperreflexia

It is important to know that this disorder can progress very rapidly and if you are expecting and experience any of these symptoms you should discuss with your doctor right away.

How is preeclampsia diagnosed?
Courtsey of : http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/pregcomplications/257.html
Blood pressure levels that are 140/90 or higher twice within a 6 hour period
A rise in diastolic (lower number) of 15 degrees or more, or a rise in the systolic (upper number) of 30 degrees
Protein in urine
Any of the above listed symptoms

A diagnosis of preeclampsia can be very frustrating and scary for both parents. You can have preeclampsia and not feel sick and that can increase your frustration. It can also lead to you not wanting to follow the orders from the doctor. Once the doctor has determined you have preeclampsia you may undergo a series of testing to ensure the health of you and your baby. These may include a thorough ultrasound and observation in the hospital for usually 48 hours which includes many tests throughout that time to monitor the possible progression of the disorder. If everything seems to be ok and the baby is unaffected then the doctor will place you on strict bed rest and increase your prenatal visits so they can monitor you very closely. At times of severe preeclampsia or the progression to eclampsia you may have to have an emergency c-section in order to save you and the baby. 15% of premature births are a result of this disorder.

Who is at risk?
*Preeclampsia is more common in first time pregnancies*
•Over 40 or under 18 years of age
•Previous history of preeclampsia, particularly if onset is before the third trimester
•Lupus or other autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis or MS.
•History of chronic high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disorder
•Family history of the disorder
•Women with greater than 30% Body Mass Index (BMI)
•Multiple gestation
•Polycystic ovarian syndrome

What causes preeclampsia?
Truthfully there are many theories out there on what causes preeclampsia. However, there is no clear cut evidence.
Possible causes are:
•Lack of magnesium or calcium
•A disruption in the hormones that maintain your blood vessels
•Damage to the lining of your blood vessels
•Insufficient blood flow to your uterus
•Injury to your blood vessels
•A mistake by your immune system
•Poor diet

The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery. Early diagnosis and monitoring are crucial. Fortunately there are several options and medications available to help maintain the pregnancy as long as possible when it is caught in the early stages.