A crippling and life-threatening disease
Bed rest is also recommended until blood pressure normalizes and any other complications are managed or prevented.
Postpartum preeclampsia is when one develops preeclampsia after giving birth. It typically happens within two days of giving birth, but can also develop several weeks later.
When it develops before the 34th week, it's often referred to as early-onset preeclampsia.
To help prevent preeclampsia, maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, attend prenatal checkups, manage existing health conditions like hypertension, and follow your healthcare provider's advice.
Sources: (Healthline) (Cleveland Clinic)
See also: Infections during pregnancy that can put your baby at risk
The risks to the baby include premature birth, low birth weight, and placental abruption, which is a condition where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall.
Eclampsia is a more serious condition and has about a 2% mortality rate. People who survive eclampsia have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
With early and comprehensive treatment, along with close monitoring of both the birthing parent and fetus, the prognosis for individuals with preeclampsia is generally positive.
Most cases of preeclampsia end with a healthy delivery and symptoms resolving within six weeks of delivery.
If postpartum preeclampsia is suspected, you'll have blood tests done to check your liver and kidney function, plus a urine test to measure the amount of protein in your urine.
If treatment is required, it typically includes blood pressure medications and magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures and the development of eclampsia.
Postpartum preeclampsia may require an extended stay in the hospital after delivery, or readmission if symptoms develop after discharge.
Preeclampsia is more common in a first pregnancy. Unfortunately, if you experienced preeclampsia with your first pregnancy, you have an increased risk of developing it in subsequent pregnancies.
You may also inherit genes that predispose you to developing preeclampsia.
Additional tests include urine tests to check protein levels and blood tests to assess liver and kidney function. These tests can also help rule out kidney disease or other conditions that might be causing preeclampsia symptoms.
A blood pressure check is the initial screening for preeclampsia and eclampsia. However, high blood pressure alone doesn't confirm either condition, as other pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, like gestational hypertension, can also cause elevated blood pressure.
Other risk factors for preeclampsia include autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular conditions, family history with preeclampsia, being older than 35, carrying twins or more, etc.
While the exact cause of these condition isn't always clear, there are several factors that can raise your risk of preeclampsia.
A 2019 study suggests that having elevated blood pressure in your first trimester may raise your risk of preeclampsia or other gestational hypertension issues later in pregnancy.
Researchers don't fully understand why some people with preeclampsia go on to develop eclampsia.
Eclampsia shares the same risks to birthing parents and babies as preeclampsia, but eclampsia also brings on seizures and, in many cases, shortness of breath.
A 2022 study suggests that eclampsia occurs in about 1.6 to 10 out of 10,000 pregnancies in the US. However, eclampsia affects far more pregnancies in developing countries, likely due to limited access to prenatal care and adequate healthcare.
Eclampsia with seizures is a medical emergency for both the pregnant person and their fetus, requiring immediate medical care.
Eclampsia is a rare complication of preeclampsia that leads to seizures during pregnancy. In some uncommon cases, it can occur without high blood pressure.
Among the potential complications of preeclampsia are blood clotting problems and damage to the brain, liver, or kidneys.
Preeclampsia usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. Within a few weeks after delivery, symptoms usually disappear, and blood pressure may return to normal.
Swelling in the legs, hands, face, or throughout the body is another sign of preeclampsia. Additionally, elevated protein levels in the urine are also a common sign of the condition.
Preeclampsia is a serious condition that occurs during pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher, along with additional symptoms.
An increase of at least 15 mm Hg in diastolic pressure (the bottom number) may also suggest preeclampsia, even if the diastolic pressure doesn't reach 90 mm Hg.
Preeclampsia may also develop with an increase of at least 30 mm Hg in systolic pressure (systolic pressure being the top number on a blood pressure reading), even if that number doesn't reach 140 mm Hg.
It's common for blood pressure to rise slightly during pregnancy, but persistent high blood pressure can lead to serious, life-threatening health risks for both mother and baby. Preeclampsia and eclampsia are two high blood pressure conditions that may cause noticeable symptoms during pregnancy, but, with early diagnosis and treatment, healthy outcomes are often achievable.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about preeclampsia and eclampsia.
What you need to know about preeclampsia and eclampsia
The conditions that cause a sudden rise in blood pressure during pregnancy
HEALTH Pregnancy
It's common for blood pressure to rise slightly during pregnancy, but persistent high blood pressure can lead to serious, life-threatening health risks for both mother and baby. Preeclampsia and eclampsia are two high blood pressure conditions that may cause noticeable symptoms during pregnancy, but, with early diagnosis and treatment, healthy outcomes are often achievable.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about preeclampsia and eclampsia.