Preeclampsia: recognize it in time to minimize the risks for mother and child
Pregnancy is a very beautiful period in a woman’s life but things don’t always go smoothly. Some of these are particularly important and can endanger the health of mother and child.
One of the problems that should not be underestimated and which affects 4-5% of pregnant women is Preeclampsia.
It is a particular pathology that must be diagnosed promptly.
Preeclampsia develops in the placenta as early as the first weeks of pregnancy but manifests itself towards the third trimester.
What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?
The disease occurs mainly with a rise in blood pressure. In addition to this main symptom, others may appear affecting the blood circulation, limiting the flow of oxygen and food to the fetus.
Early diagnosis is important as, if underestimated, it can lead to serious risks for both the fetus and the mother. Generally, thanks to regular prenatal check-ups, the disease is diagnosed in time, avoiding the most serious complications
In addition to high blood pressure, the presence of significant protein in the urine could be an important sign . A moderate presence doesn’t always mean preeclampsia but maybe an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics.
The initial symptoms of preeclampsia that should alarm
Sudden swelling of the hands, wrists, face and/or ankles. Sudden weight gain (caused by fluid retention), less urge to urinate even though you drink normally, and frequent and long-lasting headaches. If you experience even one of these symptoms, you should inform your doctor immediately.
If you neglect these symptoms, other more serious symptoms may appear, which are: severe pain in the ribs, dizziness, vision disturbances, disorientation, irritability, vomiting.
There is no cure other than childbirth. Of course, if the disease is caught early, efforts will be made to lower blood pressure and mom will be monitored constantly. Otherwise, if the disease is in an advanced stage we will proceed with a pre-term birth to avoid serious complications (generally we try to stabilize the situation at least until the 28th-30th week of pregnancy when the baby will be more developed). In any case, preeclampsia before the 28th week is quite rare.
In general, mothers recover after giving birth within a few weeks and the pressure will usually return to normal after a few months.
Are there any factors that may predispose to preeclampsia?
It is a pathology that can affect any pregnant woman, however there are some factors that could increase the risk and they are:
– older than 35 years (the risk increases with age)
– previous cases of preeclampsia in the family
– first pregnancy
– twin pregnancy
– hypertension
– kidney problems or migraines or diabetes
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.