During pregnancy, women need to monitor their own health as much as their developing baby’s to ensure a healthy labor and delivery. Preeclampsia, diagnosed when a mother’s blood pressure gets too high, can develop after the 20th week of pregnancy.
In addition to high blood pressure, preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia and cause kidney and/or liver failure. Preeclampsia affects 2 to 8 percent of pregnancies worldwide, according to the March of Dimes Foundation, and it causes an estimated 15 percent of premature births in the United States.
Preeclampsia can prevent the baby from getting enough oxygen and food in the womb, leading to low birth weight. Risk factors for preeclampsia include being African-American, older than 35, overweight or pregnant with twins.
Know the Signs
Symptoms of preeclampsia may include:
If you notice these symptoms, contact your OB/GYN.
Treatment Options
If you have mild preeclampsia, your provider may recommend medication to bring your blood pressure down, as well as more frequent check-ups. If your condition escalates, your provider may want to induce labor or perform a cesarean section if you are at least 37 weeks pregnant.
What About After Pregnancy?
Preeclampsia can appear for the first time during delivery or within the 48 hours that follow. You may still have preeclampsia up to six weeks after you deliver. Nearly 80 percent of fatalities from preeclampsia complications are postpartum. Talk to your physician about what is normal to experience after delivery and warning signs of postpartum preeclampsia.
Bonus Question: What’s Up With Varicose Veins During Pregnancy?
You have been enjoying a fuss-free, beautiful pregnancy, complete with that rosy glow. Then you notice dark veins on your legs, a development that you find not only unsightly but also uncomfortable. There’s no need to panic.
Varicose veins are a common occurrence during pregnancy. They are caused by pressure that the uterus places on the inferior vena cava, a large vein that transports blood from your feet and legs up to your heart.
Varicose veins are harmless but also difficult to prevent. You can reduce the severity by:
To schedule an appointment with a Riverview Health OB/GYN, call 317.565.0535.
Sources: kidshealth.org, marchofdimes.org, medlineplus.gov, nih.gov
