Preeclampsia happens in pregnancy, or just after the baby’s birth, and affects around one in 14 women, usually after the 20th week. Sometimes, there are no symptoms but often there is raised blood pressure, a high level of protein in urine, leaked from the kidneys, and possible swelling, especially around the hands and face. Don’t panic if you’re diagnosed with this as most cases are mild but they all need monitoring because serious, potentially life-threatening complications can develop. No one knows for sure what causes it but theories put forward include insufficient blood flow to the womb, undiagnosed high blood pressure or other problems such as diabetes in the mother and disruption of the balance of hormones that control blood vessels.

THE COMPLICATIONS

STROKE: This is a major risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure

ECLAMPSIA: One in 100 cases of preeclampsia turn into a condition called eclampsia, which usually develops later in pregnancy or just after the birth However, occasionally it can happen with no previous pre-eclampsia symptoms. Eclampsia can cause seizures, leading to a coma, and is potentially fatal for both mother and baby — the cure is to have an emergency Caesarean and deliver the baby. (more…)