Pre eclampsia
Overview
Risk Factors
Pre-eclampsia is more common young women who have not given birth before.
Other things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Problems with the immune system, such as lupus
- Pre-eclampsia in a prior pregnancy
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Being pregnant with more than one baby
- Being overweight or obese
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Preeclampsia is diagnosed if you have high blood pressure.
Other tests that may be done are:
- Urine tests to look for high protein levels
- Blood tests to check for low levels of platelets that are needed to help with blood clotting
Treatments
Treatment
The only way to cure this condition is to deliver the baby. The decision to do so depends on how many weeks along a woman is in her pregnancy. Labor may happen on its own or it may be started by the doctor.
Delivery may need to be delayed so the baby has more time to grow. Pre-eclampsia may also be mild. It may be managed by:
- Bed rest and monitoring at home or in the hospital
- Medicines to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower the risk of seizures
- Help the baby's lungs develop
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Toxemia of Pregnancy; Pregnancy-induced Hypertension; Preeclampsia)
RESOURCES
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
The Canadian Women's Health Network http://www.cwhn.ca
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada http://sogc.org
References
High blood pressure during pregnancy. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/condition/high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy. Accessed October 15, 2020.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy . Accessed October 15, 2020.
Leeman L, Fontaine P. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Am Fam Physician 2016 Jan 15;93(2):121.
Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy. Accessed October 15, 2020.