What are Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that may develop during pregnancy. It is also called toxemia of pregnancy. This condition causes high blood pressure along with other symptoms, such as swelling and headaches.

These symptoms may develop as the condition gets worse. Preeclampsia may occur at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later.

Diagnosing and treating preeclampsia early is very important. If not treated early, it can cause serious problems for you and your baby. One problem it can lead to is eclampsia. Eclampsia is a condition that causes muscle jerking or shaking (convulsions or seizures) and other serious problems for the mother. During pregnancy, delivering your baby may be the best treatment for preeclampsia or eclampsia. For most women, preeclampsia and eclampsia symptoms go away after giving birth.

In rare cases, a woman may develop preeclampsia after giving birth (postpartum preeclampsia). This usually occurs within 48 hours after childbirth but may occur up to 6 weeks after giving birth.

What are the causes?

The cause of preeclampsia is not known.

What increases the risk?

The following risk factors make you more likely to develop preeclampsia:

• Being pregnant for the first time.
• Having had preeclampsia during a past pregnancy.
• Having a family history of preeclampsia.
• Having high blood pressure.
• Being pregnant with more than one baby.
• Being 35 or older.
• Being African-American.
• Having kidney disease or diabetes.
• Having medical conditions such as lupus or blood diseases.
• Being very overweight (obese).

What are the signs or symptoms?

The earliest signs of preeclampsia are:

• High blood pressure.
• Increased protein in your urine. Your health care provider will check for this at every visit before you give birth (prenatal visit).

Other symptoms that may develop as the condition gets worse include:

• Severe headaches.
• Sudden weight gain.
• Swelling of the hands, face, legs, and feet.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision.
• Numbness in the face, arms, legs, and feet.
• Urinating less than usual.
• Dizziness.
• Slurred speech.
• Abdominal pain, especially upper abdominal pain.
• Convulsions or seizures.

How is this diagnosed?

There are no screening tests for preeclampsia. Your health care provider will ask you about symptoms and check for signs of preeclampsia during your prenatal visits. You may also have tests that include:

• Urine tests.
• Blood tests.
• Checking your blood pressure.
• Monitoring your baby’s heart rate.
• Ultrasound.

How is this treated?

You and your health care provider will determine the treatment approach that is best for you. Treatment may include:

• Having more frequent prenatal exams to check for signs of preeclampsia, if you have an increased risk for preeclampsia.
• Medicine to lower your blood pressure.
• Staying in the hospital, if your condition is severe. There, treatment will focus on controlling your blood pressure and the amount of fluids in your body (fluid retention).
• Taking medicine (magnesium sulfate) to prevent seizures. This may be given as an injection or through an IV.
• Taking a low-dose aspirin during your pregnancy.
• Delivering your baby early, if your condition gets worse. You may have your labor started with medicine (induced), or you may have a cesarean delivery.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Avoid caffeine.

Lifestyle

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Do not use alcohol or drugs.
• Avoid stress as much as possible. Rest and get plenty of sleep.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• When lying down, lie on your left side. This keeps pressure off your major blood vessels.
• When sitting or lying down, raise (elevate) your feet. Try putting some pillows underneath your lower legs.
• Exercise regularly. Ask your health care provider what kinds of exercise are best for you.
• Keep all follow-up and prenatal visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

There is no known way of preventing preeclampsia or eclampsia from developing. However, to lower your risk of complications and detect problems early:

• Get regular prenatal care. Your health care provider may be able to diagnose and treat the condition early.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your health care provider for help managing weight gain during pregnancy.
• Work with your health care provider to manage any long-term (chronic) health conditions you have, such as diabetes or kidney problems.
• You may have tests of your blood pressure and kidney function after giving birth.
• Your health care provider may have you take low-dose aspirin during your next pregnancy.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have symptoms that your health care provider told you may require more treatment or monitoring, such as:
  • Headaches.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Dizziness.
  • Light-headedness.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe:
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Headaches that do not get better.
  • Dizziness.
  • Vision problems.
  • Confusion.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
• You have any of the following:
  • A seizure.
  • Sudden, rapid weight gain.
  • Sudden swelling in your hands, ankles, or face.
  • Trouble moving any part of your body.
  • Numbness in any part of your body.
  • Trouble speaking.
  • Abnormal bleeding.
• You faint.

Summary

• Preeclampsia is a serious condition that may develop during pregnancy. It is also called toxemia of pregnancy.
• This condition causes high blood pressure along with other symptoms, such as swelling and headaches.
• Diagnosing and treating preeclampsia early is very important. If not treated early, it can cause serious problems for you and your baby.
• Get help right away if you have symptoms that your health care provider told you to watch for.