What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy. With preeclampsia, you might have high blood pressure, high levels of protein in urine that indicate kidney damage (proteinuria), or other signs of organ damage.
Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had previously been in the standard range.
Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious — even fatal — complications for both the mother and baby. The only method of treatment is childbirth.
Symptoms
Sometimes it goes completely asymptomatic. High blood pressure can develop slowly, over time or suddenly. This is why it is recommended that pregnant women monitor their blood pressure regularly.
Along with high blood pressure, preeclampsia signs and symptoms may include:
- Excess protein in urine (proteinuria) or other signs of kidney problems
- Severe headaches
- Changes in vision
- Pain in the upper belly
- Nausea or vomiting
- Decreased amount of urine
- Decreased levels of platelets in blood (thrombocytopenia)
- Increased liver enzymes that indicate liver problems
- Shortness of breath
When to see a doctor
Do not miss regular visits for pregnancy - it is during the visit that your blood pressure, general condition will be checked. You should follow all the recommendations of the obstetrician- gynecologist.
Contact your doctor or the emergency department of the clinic if you suffer from severe headaches, notice any vision problems, feel severe pain in the abdomen or you will have shortness of breath.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-
20355745
