Preeclampsia – Symptoms and Causes

Understanding Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that typically develops after 20 weeks of gestation in women who previously had normal blood pressure.

It’s characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to organ systems, often including protein in the urine.

Without proper treatment, preeclampsia poses serious risks to both mother and baby.

Management depends on severity and pregnancy stage. For severe cases or when the mother’s health is at significant risk, healthcare providers often recommend early delivery of the baby.

Before delivery becomes necessary, treatment focuses on:

• Careful monitoring of both mother and baby
• Blood pressure medications to manage hypertension
• Medications to prevent complications such as seizures
• Regular testing to check organ function

For some women, preeclampsia can develop after childbirth, a condition called postpartum preeclampsia. This requires prompt medical attention as well.

Signs and Symptoms

Preeclampsia primarily shows up as high blood pressure along with protein in the urine or damage to other organs.

Many women have no clear symptoms at first. Instead, signs are often caught during regular prenatal checkups.

Common symptoms of preeclampsia include:

• Protein in urine or other kidney issues
• Low platelet counts in blood
• Higher than normal liver enzymes
• Strong headaches
• Vision problems (blurring, sensitivity to light, temporary blindness)
• Trouble breathing due to fluid in lungs
• Upper belly pain, especially under the right ribs
• Feeling sick or throwing up

While weight gain and swelling are normal in pregnancy, sudden swelling, especially in the face and hands, might point to preeclampsia. This rapid change can be an important warning sign.

Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure and run tests at each visit to watch for these signs, even if you feel fine. If you notice any of these symptoms between appointments, contact your doctor right away.

When to See a Doctor

Visit your healthcare provider regularly for prenatal checkups to monitor your blood pressure.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience:

• Severe headaches
• Blurred vision or visual changes
• Intense abdominal pain
• Severe breathing difficulties

During pregnancy, it can be hard to tell the difference between normal discomforts and warning signs of a problem. This is especially true for first-time parents.

Common pregnancy symptoms like nausea, headaches, and body aches might make it difficult to recognize serious issues.

If you feel worried about any symptoms you’re having, it’s always better to contact your doctor. Trust your instincts about your body’s changes.

Causes

Preeclampsia likely stems from multiple factors, primarily involving the placenta.

During early pregnancy, the placenta develops new blood vessels to receive oxygen and nutrients. In women with preeclampsia, these blood vessels develop abnormally or function poorly.

This improper blood circulation in the placenta can disrupt normal blood pressure regulation in the mother’s body.

Other Blood Pressure Problems During Pregnancy

Several high blood pressure conditions can affect pregnant women:

• Gestational high blood pressure: This condition appears after week 20 of pregnancy without kidney problems or other organ damage. Some women with this condition may later develop preeclampsia.

• Long-term high blood pressure: This refers to high blood pressure that existed before pregnancy or develops before the 20th week. If high blood pressure continues more than three months after delivery, doctors also classify it as chronic.

• Long-term high blood pressure with added preeclampsia: This affects women who had high blood pressure before becoming pregnant and then develop worsening blood pressure readings during pregnancy. They may also show protein in their urine or other health complications.

Risk Factors

Additional Risk Considerations

Black women face higher chances of developing preeclampsia compared to other racial groups. Indigenous women in North America may also experience increased risk.

These differences likely stem from unequal access to healthcare rather than biological factors. Social inequalities, limited prenatal care options, and ongoing life stressors contribute to these disparities.

Women with lower incomes also face greater preeclampsia risks. This connection relates to healthcare access challenges and social factors that affect overall health.

Healthcare providers consider black race or low income as moderate risk factors when planning prevention strategies.

Several conditions significantly increase preeclampsia risk:

• Previous preeclampsia experience
• Multiple babies (twins, triplets)
• Chronic high blood pressure
• Pre-existing diabetes (Type 1 or 2)
• Kidney disease
• Autoimmune disorders
• IVF pregnancy

Moderate risk factors include:

• First pregnancy with current partner
• Obesity
• Family history of preeclampsia
• Being 35 or older
• Previous pregnancy complications
• Gap of 10+ years between pregnancies

Complications

Preeclampsia can lead to several serious problems for both mother and baby.

Slowed Baby Growth

When preeclampsia affects blood flow to the placenta, the baby may not get enough nutrients and oxygen. This can cause fetal growth restriction, where the baby doesn’t grow at a normal rate.

Early Delivery

Babies may need to be delivered before they’re fully developed (before 37 weeks) when a mother has preeclampsia. Sometimes doctors choose early delivery as treatment.

Premature babies face higher risks of:

• Breathing difficulties
• Feeding problems
• Vision or hearing issues
• Developmental delays
• Cerebral palsy

Medical treatments before delivery can help reduce some of these risks.

Placental Separation

Preeclampsia increases the risk of placental abruption, where the placenta pulls away from the uterine wall too early. Severe cases can cause dangerous bleeding for both mother and baby.

HELLP Syndrome

This dangerous condition includes:

• Hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells)
• Elevated Liver enzymes
• Low Platelet count

HELLP syndrome can be life-threatening and may cause lasting health problems. Symptoms might include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• General feeling of being unwell

Sometimes HELLP develops suddenly, even before high blood pressure appears or without any noticeable symptoms.

Seizures (Eclampsia)

When preeclampsia progresses to seizures or coma, it’s called eclampsia. This serious condition can happen before, during, or after delivery.

Warning signs might include severe headaches, vision changes, or confusion, but often there are no warning signals at all.

Damage to Other Organs

Preeclampsia can harm various body systems:

• Kidneys
• Liver
• Lungs
• Heart
• Eyes
• Brain (including stroke risk)

The severity of the damage depends on how serious the preeclampsia is.

Future Heart Disease Risk

Women who’ve had preeclampsia face higher risks of heart and blood vessel diseases later in life. This risk increases further for women who’ve experienced preeclampsia multiple times or had preterm deliveries.

Ways to Prevent Preeclampsia

Preventive Medications

Low-dose aspirin shows the strongest evidence for preeclampsia prevention.

Healthcare providers often suggest taking an 81-milligram aspirin daily starting after the 12th week of pregnancy for those with either one high-risk factor or multiple moderate risk factors for preeclampsia.

Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any medication during pregnancy. This includes over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements to ensure they’re safe for both you and your developing baby.

Healthy Habits

Planning for a healthy pregnancy is especially important if you’ve experienced preeclampsia previously.

Consider improving your overall health before conception.

Speak with your healthcare provider about managing any existing health conditions that might increase preeclampsia risk.

Making positive lifestyle changes like maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and achieving a healthy weight before pregnancy may help reduce risks.