Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy. People with preeclampsia often have high blood pressure[hypertension] and high levels of protein in their urine[proteinuria]. Preeclampsia usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia can also affect other organs in your body and cause kidney and liver damage, brain injury and other serious side effects. It is dangerous for both you and the developing foetus. Because of these risks, your health provider will need to monitor your pregnancy closely and recommend treatment right away.
SYMPTOMS OF PREECLAMPSIA
Many people with preeclampsia do not have signs or symptoms until a visit with their healthcare provider. For those that do, some of the first signs of preeclampsia are high blood pressure , protein in your pee and retaining water[this can cause weight gain and swelling].
Other signs of preeclampsia are includes;
.Headaches
.Blurry vision
.Upper right side abdominal pain.
.Dark spots appearing in your vision.
.Swelling in your hands ,ankles and face[edema].
.Shortness of breath.
WHAT CAUSES PREEECLAMPSIA?
No one is entirely sure. Some researchers believe preeclampsia may happen due to a problem with blood supply to the placenta.
DOES STRESS CAUSE PREECLAMPSIA?
While stress may impact blood pressure , stress is not a direct cause of preeclampsia . While some stress is unavoidable during pregnancy, avoiding high-stress situations or learning to manage your stress is a good idea.
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
Your healthcare provider will advise you on the best way to treat preeclampsia . Treatment generally depends on how severe your preeclampsia is and how far along you are in pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will want you to remain pregnant as long as possible-as long as preeclampsia is not putting your life in danger.
If you are close to full term[37 weeks pregnant], your provider will probably recommend an early delivery. You can still have a vaginal delivery, but sometimes , a C-section is safer. Your healthcare provider may give you medication to help the foetus lungs develop and manage your blood pressure until they can deliver your baby. Sometimes, it is safer to deliver the baby early than to risk prolonging the pregnancy.