Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition that can lead to serious, and sometimes fatal, complications for women and their babies. Here’s what you should know about it.
What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a condition that causes a sudden rise in blood pressure during pregnancy. It can also lead to clotting issues that may affect organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
The condition, which affects around one in 25 women, is the most common complication to occur during pregnancy. It usually develops during the second half of pregnancy (from 20 weeks) or soon after the baby is delivered.
According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, the rate of preeclampsia is 60 per cent higher in Black women than in white women.
What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?
Early signs of preeclampsia include having high blood pressure and protein in your urine. Other signs and symptoms may include severe headache, vision problems, pain in the upper belly, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting.
If unrecognised or untreated, preeclampsia can be extremely dangerous for both the mother and baby, says Dr Lisa Stradiotto, consultant in gynaecology and reproductive medicine at Apricity Fertility.
However, most cases are diagnosed early at routine antenatal screening appointments.
What causes preeclampsia?
The exact cause of preeclampsia likely involves several factors. Experts believe it begins in the placenta. Early in a pregnancy, new blood vessels develop and evolve to supply oxygen and nutrients to the placenta.
In women with preeclampsia, these blood vessels do not seem to develop or work properly. Problems with how well blood circulates in the placenta may lead to the irregular regulation of blood pressure in the mother.
How is preeclampsia treated?
Women who are diagnosed with preeclampsia should be referred for an assessment by a specialist, usually in hospital where they will be monitored closely to determine how severe the condition is and whether a hospital stay is needed.
According to the NHS website, the only way to cure preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. This will normally be at around 37 to 38 weeks of pregnancy, but it may be earlier in more severe cases.
What are the risk factors?
Conditions that are linked to a higher risk of preeclampsia include:
- Preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Being pregnant with more than one baby
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy
- Kidney disease
- Autoimmune disorders
- Use of in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Can preeclampsia run in families?
Preeclampsia is known to run in families, and also to affect certain ethnic groups more than others, says Dr Stradiotto.
“There is also an increased risk of recurrence for future pregnancies in those who have had preeclampsia in previous pregnancies. Thus the myth, that preeclampsia only happens in ‘first-time’ pregnancies, is false,” she explains.
What are the common misconceptions around preeclampsia?
There are many myths around preeclampsia. Dr Lorraine Muluka, OB/GYN and CEO of Malaica, says some of the most common misconceptions she has encountered is that only older women with pre-existing health issues are at risk and that preeclampsia will always present with noticeable symptoms.
“While there are indeed signs and symptoms, some women develop the condition without exhibiting any symptoms,” Muluka explains.
“Moreover, it can affect women in any of their pregnancies, with the first pregnancy actually posing a higher risk. Regular monitoring during antenatal clinics is crucial for early detection and management. Postnatal care is also vital as pre-eclampsia can develop within the first six weeks after childbirth.”
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