Tips on How to Recognize and Treat Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia takes place in about 8% of pregnant women. The costs, if left untreated can be fatal for the mother and the child. Magnesium Sulfate which is often used in the treatment may have severe side effects. Preeclampsia takes place in about 3% of all pregnancies typically during the first pregnancy. It more often than not consists of hypertension, retention of water and salt and amplified protein in the urine. Preeclampsia arises most often in young women in their teens and women over 40 during their first pregnancy, women carrying multiples, African American women, and women with a family history of preeclampsia. Swelling, abrupt weight gain, abdominal pain, excessive vomiting, headaches and changes in vision are significant symptoms. Worldwide, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a primary cause of maternal and newborn illness and death. Preeclampsia can avert the placenta from getting enough blood. If the placenta doesn't receive supple amounts of blood, your baby gets less air and food.

The precise causes of preeclampsia are unknown, although some suspect poor diet, elevated body fat, or inadequate blood flow to the uterus as probable causes. If you think you may be at risk for preeclampsia or have the symptoms of it than it is always good to check with a physician to ensure your health as well as your unborn child's. Preeclampsia does not have a cure. The only cure for preeclampsia is having your newborn. On the other hand, delivery is not always the best choice at the time. From time to time preeclampsia is too severe or if the child is in danger, than a cesarean delivery must be performed. If during preeclampsia you are put on bed rest you must try to get help with household chores and assistance with children. It is important when you are on bed rest to not be trying to get up and do a whole lot since this is dangerous for you as well as your child.

To be expected, during labor you will be administered a medication called magnesium sulfate. This medication decreases your odds of having a seizure. You might also be given hydralazine or another anti-hypertensive medicine to control severe elevations of blood pressure. When dealing with preeclampsia it is good to monitor your fluid intake. Just as there was no way to foresee or avoid preeclampsia, there are no tests to foresee whether preeclampsia will reappear in a later pregnancy. The best way to treat preeclampsia once diagnosed is to listen to your physician and take any medications that are prescribed to you. The effects of preeclamspsia subside after your child is born and there are no medications to take for it there after. The best actions for a mother who had preeclampsia during her first pregnancy can do to prepare for another pregnancy is to eat healthy, exercise, and take learned information and apply it to planning the next pregnancy.