What is preeclampsia and how is it dangerous

What is preeclampsia

Preeclampsia Preeclampsia is a condition in which blood pressure rises in pregnant women and protein appears in the urine. This happens in about 8% of expectant mothers and less often in the first weeks after childbirth. This condition can lead to serious complications for the mother or child, and sometimes it is life-threatening.

Many obstetricians-gynecologists in Russia and neighboring countries call What classification of gestosis (preeclampsia) should a doctor adhere to in his daily work? preeclampsia with gestosis, which creates confusion. But don't worry. This is not a sign of the incompetence of a doctor, but simply the peculiarities of the historical development of medicine in the countries of the former USSR, where they often continue to use outdated names of diseases.

Why is preeclampsia dangerous?

The disease is mild, moderate or severe. Any of them can lead to complications. These include Preeclampsia: Clinical features and diagnosis, Preeclampsia:

intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus, due to which the child is born with a weight below normal;
premature birth, and the risk is higher if preeclampsia occurs before the 34th week of pregnancy;
premature placental abruption, which is accompanied by severe bleeding;
a stroke in a pregnant woman;
pulmonary edema;
renal or hepatic impairment;
violation of blood clotting.

A pregnant woman sometimes has seizures, she loses consciousness - this is a dangerous condition that indicates the transition of preeclampsia to eclampsia. Preeclampsia: Clinical features and diagnosis.

If you do not urgently call an ambulance, the woman may fall into a coma or die.

To prevent this from happening, you need to carefully monitor the appearance of the first signs of the disease.

What are the symptoms of preeclampsia

The disease makes itself felt after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, the first thing women notice is the appearance of edema. This is due to the fact that the kidneys intensively excrete protein with urine, which should normally retain water in the bloodstream. Due to edema on the legs, shoes are difficult to put on, and if you press on the lower leg with your finger, pits will remain on the skin. When the hands are swollen, it is impossible to remove the ring. Sometimes fluid accumulates under the skin of the face, especially after a night, so bags are visible under the eyes.

Edema can be hidden, then they cannot be seen on the skin. But it can be suspected if the weight gain of Preeclampsia per week is more than 900 grams.

Another sign of preeclampsia is high blood pressure. At the same time, the pregnant woman feels a headache, dizziness, weakness, and her vision becomes cloudy or spots flicker before her eyes.

The next important symptom is protein in the urine. But this can only be noticed by passing the tests. That is why the urine of pregnant women is checked before each visit to the obstetrician-gynecologist.

For any severity of the disease, the above symptoms of Preeclampsia are characteristic, only they are expressed in different ways. But if the disease becomes severe Preeclampsia, then additional signs appear:

labored breathing;
pain resembling heartburn, in the middle of the abdomen or under the ribs on the right;
nausea and vomiting;
rare urination;
temporary blindness or sensitivity of the eyes to light.

Why does preeclampsia occur?

Doctors don't know exactly where Preeclampsia comes from. But there are Preeclampsia: Clinical features and diagnosis factors that significantly increase the risk of developing the disease. Here they are:

Preeclampsia Preeclampsia: Can I Lower My Risk? or increased blood pressure in a past pregnancy.
Diabetes.
Arterial hypertension, which arose before conception. In this case, the risk increases Preeclampsia: Clinical features and diagnosis fivefold.
Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome.
Being overweight or obese. Moreover, the greater the body weight, the higher the chance of developing preeclampsia.
Chronic kidney disease. They are often accompanied by high blood pressure and can provoke preeclampsia.
Carrying several children.
First pregnancy in a woman.
Age over 35 years old.
Placental insufficiency in a previous pregnancy.
IVF.
Heredity. If the mother has preeclampsia, the daughter's risk of such a disorder increases.

How is preeclampsia treated?

The only way to get rid of preeclampsia is to have a baby. If the term is long or the condition allows Preeclampsia: Clinical features and diagnosis, the woman gives birth herself. In severe cases, a caesarean section is performed.

But if Preeclampsia is up to 37 weeks pregnant, obstetricians-gynecologists try to improve the woman's condition and prevent complications. There are several ways.

Lifestyle change

Doctors advise expectant mothers to observe bed Preeclampsia: Can I Lower My Risk? regime and more rest, lie on the right side, breathe fresh air. Stress can increase blood pressure, so a woman shouldn't worry about trifles.

With a mild form, Preeclampsia can do special exercises for pregnant women. For example, bends to the sides, circular movements with your hands, swing your legs. Sometimes it is recommended to practice on fitball, swim and walk.

Diet

It is important for women with preeclampsia to eat a balanced diet. They, like all pregnant women, are recommended to Eating Right During Pregnancy:

There are foods rich in simple protein. With preeclampsia, it is lost in the urine, so it needs to be restored with nutrition.
Eat lean meat, poultry or fish, legumes.
Eat vegetables and fruits daily. They are a source of vitamins and minerals, fiber, and therefore help maintain bowel function and normal weight.
Avoid alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, fast food, fatty foods.
Eat less sweets.
Include in the menu fermented milk products, nuts, vegetable oils.
Reduce Preeclampsia: Can I Lower My Risk? the amount of salt in the diet.

Taking medication

To improve the condition of the pregnant woman and the child, the doctor may prescribe medications. For example, magnesium supplements are used to reduce blood pressure and prevent seizures. What are the treatments for preeclampsia, eclampsia, & HELLP syndrome? …

If there is a risk of premature birth, the pregnant woman is given glucocorticoid drugs. What are the treatments for preeclampsia, eclampsia, & HELLP syndrome? hormones. They will help accelerate the maturation of the lungs of the fetus and improve its adaptation after birth.

How to avoid preeclampsia

There is no one hundred percent way to prevent preeclampsia. But you can reduce the risks. Before pregnancy you need Preeclampsia for this:

lose weight if your body mass index is more than normal;
treat hypertension and control blood pressure;
to do physical exercises.

And during pregnancy, if a woman is at risk of developing preeclampsia, the doctor may prescribe acetylsalicylic Preeclampsia: Can I Lower My Risk? acid from the 12th week.