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Understanding Preeclampsia
Understanding PreeclampsiaTo monitor your health and the health of your baby during pregnancy, your healthcare provider will check yourblood pressure at each check-up. If your healthcare provider notices high blood pressure, especially after week20 of your pregnancy, you may be tested for Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that must bemonitored very closely.Most women with preeclampsia go on to have healthy babies. But if it’s not identified and watched closely, itcan cause serious health problems for you and your baby.If you have preeclampsia, you may experience serious swelling of the hands and face, headaches, pain on theright side of your abdomen where your liver is, changes in vision, and some organs may not work properly,leading to high levels of protein in your urine.You are at greater risk for preeclampsia if you are a first-time mom, of African American descent, older than35, have obesity, carrying twins or triplets, or have a history of high blood pressure.Preeclampsia can prevent your placenta from getting enough blood. This can affect the growth of your babyand can cause premature births and the complications that can follow. It also increases your risk of stroke andseizures as well as other possible serious complications.Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk of preeclampsia during your pregnancy. Make sure you go to allyour prenatal appointments.“Preeclampsia is something that we can screen for at every prenatal visit when you come in. When your doctorchecks your blood pressure, when your doctor checks your urine for protein.”Keep track of your blood pressure at home with a blood pressure monitor if your healthcare provider asks youtoo. Remember to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and whole grains and watch your weight.If you’ve had preeclampsia in an earlier pregnancy, your doctor may recommend taking aspirin to help preventit from happening again. If this is recommended, be sure to follow this advice.If you experience symptoms like blurred vision, swelling in your hands or face, severe headaches, or bellypain, call your doctor right away.If you are diagnosed with preeclampsia, your pregnancy is considered high risk and you will be watched veryclosely by your doctor.Your doctor may recommend admitting you to the hospital to carefully observe you.While in the hospital, you may be given medications to bring your blood pressure down safely. Anothermedicine called magnesium sulfate may be given to you in an IV to prevent seizures.Depending on how far along your pregnancy is, your doctor may recommend delivering your baby. Delivery isthe only way to cure Preeclampsia, but complications can still continue postpartum that may need to bemonitored, and sometimes it is even diagnosed for the first time after you give birth.The preferred method of delivery is to induce labor, but in some cases a cesarean section may be needed.Before your baby is delivered, you will be given steroid injections if you are preterm. These will help yourbaby’s lungs mature, as well as help increase the natural blood supply to the brain and intestines.Only in very mild cases can pregnant women treat preeclampsia at home.Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that can be serious if left untreated. If you are at risk forpreeclampsia, talk to your healthcare provider about everything you can do to prevent this serious condition.Recognize the symptoms of preeclampsia and get help right away.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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