Preeclampsia
Published on March 5th, 2021. Information will be updated
Preeclampsia is a blood pressure condition that occurs either during the 21st week of pregnancy or after childbirth. If there is high blood pressure, then the organs won’t work correctly in the body. Preeclampsia can affect the patient’s heart as the blood pressure pushes against the walls of the artery. Preeclampsia affects 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide which seems like a small number, but more than 600 million people worldwide. Patients with preeclampsia are 15% more likely to give labor to a premature baby. Most preeclampsia patients have healthy babies, but if it gets worse (such as HELLP syndrome), then the baby would get affected.
Causes
Cause is unknown. Note: Research more on this.
Risk Factors
Some risk factors contribute to the development of this disease. If the patient had preeclampsia before, then she will likely have it again once she becomes pregnant. Patients that are having twins, triplets or more tend to have high blood pressure. Lastly, if the patient has diabetes, then the patient will likely get preeclampsia.
Signs and Symptoms
Note: Research more about this. Symptoms are similar to HELLP Syndrome.
Diagnosis
To diagnose preeclampsia, the physician must check the patient’s blood pressure and see any protein present in the urine. If that’s the case, the healthcare provider will perform an ultrasound, nonstress test, and biophysical profile. All three procedures are to monitor the baby’s health while still in the womb. The ultrasound is performed to check if the baby is growing at a standard rate. The nonstress test is performed to check the heart rate of the baby. Lastly, the biophysical profile combines the ultrasound and nonstress tests.
Treatment
Depending on whether the condition is mild or severe, the physician will give treatment accordingly. Patients with mild preeclampsia should deliver the baby early so the baby won’t harm the mother. Additionally, patients must go to the doctor regularly to check blood pressure and record how many times the baby has kicked. For patients with severe preeclampsia, medications such as antenatal corticosteroids are necessary to help the baby develop mature lungs. Very much like mild preeclampsia, it is best to have labor early. For both of these conditions, the healthcare provider may induce labor by either giving medicine or breaking the water, known as the amniotic sac.
The Effects on the Baby
Note: Research more about this
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Resources
Preeclampsia. (2020, October). March of Dimes Foundation. https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/preeclampsia.aspx