How To Deal With Pre-Eclampsia During Pregnancy

What is Pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia, often called toxemia or pregnancy induced hypertension, is high blood pressure during pregnancy. Because high blood pressure constricts the vessels in the uterus that supply the baby with oxygen and nutrients, the babies growth could be slowed.

Pre-eclampsia also increases the risk of placental abruption, in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery.

Is Pre-eclampsia Common?
Pre-Eclampsia affects roughly 5 percent of first time mothers and up to two percent of those having a second baby.
In addition to high blood pressure, symptoms include protein in the urine, swell, and sudden weight gain. Mild pre-eclampsia may only exhibit subtle symptoms.

What Causes Pre-eclampsia?
There is no known cause for pre-elclampsia, although some doctors think lifestyle and diet may have a factor in if a mother gets pre-eclampsia during pregnancy or not. Also, mothers who have had pre-eclampsia with previous babies, are at a higher risk to develop it down the road.

How Is It Diagnosed?
Pre-eclampsia is usually diagnosed with a battery of tests. Your blood pressure is the biggest indicator. Your doctor will also check for protein in your urine. If there is, he may order a 24 hour urine test. These can be done either at home or in a hospital. Other indicators are blood work, swelling and a baby who is not reactive during your NST (non stress test). An ultrasound can determine if your baby is not growing as they should.

How Do You Treat Pre-eclampsia?
It depends on how severe your case is and how far along you are in your pregnancy. If you have mild pre-eclampsia and are near your due date and your cervix has begun to thin and dial ate, your doctor may induce labor. This prevents any complications if the pre-eclampsia were to worsen during your pregnancy.
If your uterus is not ready for induction, the doctor can monitor you and the baby until the time is right or labor begins on its own.
If you develop pre-eclampsia prior to 37 weeks, you will more then likely be placed on bed rest and in some cases blood pressure medication, until your blood pressure stabilizes or until you give birth. In some cases, you may have no other choice then to deliver to prevent health problems for mom and baby.