Preeclampsia is a medical condition that is experienced by pregnant women, affecting 5-8% of pregnancies. It is also known as toxemia.
If not treated well and in time, it could lead to kidney or liver failure in the mother, and low birth weight in the baby.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of preeclampsia include pain in the right upper abdomen, protein in the urine, water retention leading to swelling of the body, high blood pressure, fatigue, severe headaches, sensitivity to bright light, severe reduction in urine, blurred vision, shortness of breath, etc.
Causes
Doctors are yet to identify a single cause of this condition, but some potential ones are genetic predisposition, autoimmune diseases and blood vessel problems.
Risk Factors
If you fall in any of these categories, you may be at risk of preeclampsia:
- Pregnant with more than one baby
- You had kidney disease of high blood pressure before the pregnancy
- You’re younger than 20 or older than 40
- You’re obese
- Your sisters and/ mom have the condition
Treatment
Thankfully this condition is treatable. Treatment options depend on how close you are to the due date. If the baby is developed enough and the due date is near (week 37 or later), your doctor will probably recommend delivering the baby as soon as possible.
If you have mild preeclampsia and the baby hasn’t reached full development, treatment options include increasing water intake (8 glasses daily), more protein in your diet, reducing salt intake, lying on your left side to take pressure off major blood vessels and more prenatal check ups.
However if the condition is severe you may be treated with medication to manage your blood pressure until the baby is developed enough for delivery.
Most women recover from the condition a few months after delivery. But for safety reasons visit your doctor for a post-natal check-up.
