Preeclampsia During Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Introduction
Congratulations…
On your pregnancy! Are you feeling nauseous? Experiencing headaches? Pain in the abdomen area? Do not mistake these with ‘common during pregnancy’ problems. It could be preeclampsia. One of the many pregnancy-associated diseases that affect almost 15% of Indian women during pregnancy. Overlooking these healthcare problems during pregnancy can not only be painful for you, but it can also put your baby’s life at risk. Don’t worry; we have covered your and your child’s healthcare needs. This blog thoroughly discusses all you need to know about preeclampsia during pregnancy, right from its causes and symptoms to its diagnosis and treatment options. Let’s jump straight into it.
What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia during pregnancy is a condition characterized by seizures and coma. If left untreated, preeclampsia can pose life-threatening risks to both the mother and baby during pregnancy. This condition is marked by a sudden increase in blood pressure and a higher level of protein in the urine. These changes in the body have a significant impact on the health of both the mother and the fetus. Before delving into further details, it’s important to highlight some key facts about preeclampsia:
- Preeclampsia usually shows up in the 20th week of pregnancy. Until that point, your blood pressure stays normal
- Due to its occurrence that late into pregnancy babies are delivered earlier than usual. This, however, depends on multiple factors such as the severity of preeclampsia and its time of occurrence during pregnancy. This will be determined by your healthcare provider.
- However, in some cases, preeclampsia could also develop after the delivery, known as postpartum preeclampsia
- Because this disease occurs during pregnancy, it is important that it is identified as early as possible, and the impacts of this on you and the baby are monitored carefully and acted upon as required. Unidentified and untreated, preeclampsia would lead to fatal complications and is associated with multiple risk factors. These will be discussed later in the blog, so stay tuned.
What causes preeclampsia during pregnancy?
You might be curious about why this condition specifically occurs during pregnancy and how it relates to blood pressure. The explanation lies within the vital organ that connects you to your baby: the placenta. Made up of connective tissues, the placenta forms during pregnancy and facilitates the exchange of nutrients and blood between you and your child. Normally, blood vessels around the placenta mature to supply it with the necessary blood and oxygen. However, in preeclampsia, this maturation process is disrupted, leading to impaired circulation and blood exchange between the placenta and the mother’s circulatory system, resulting in elevated blood pressure.
Furthermore, the symptoms of preeclampsia typically manifest around the 20th week of pregnancy due to the time required for proper blood vessel maturation. The specific causes of this improper development are still being researched and yet to be fully determined.
In addition to the aforementioned root cause of preeclampsia, there are other risk factors and conditions that can contribute to its development.
These risk factors are…
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) before pregnancy
- Diseases associated with the kidneys
- History of type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the mother
- Being pregnant with multiple babies
- Having a history of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- In vitro fertilisation
- Obesity
- Familial history of preeclampsia
- A 10-year gap between the previous pregnancy and the current pregnancy
- Complications during a previous pregnancy
- Mother being older than 35 years
The mentioned risk factors are all related to the disruption of placental maturation and have a direct impact on health. However, there is an often overlooked risk factor associated with a woman’s socio-economic background. It is important to recognize that maintaining a healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in preventing the development of such conditions, as their root cause is often linked to poor health management.
This is why preeclampsia is more prevalent among women with lower incomes, as they may neglect their health due to financial constraints, making them more susceptible to diseases like preeclampsia.
What are the signs of preeclampsia during pregnancy?
As previously mentioned, the most subtle indication of preeclampsia is an elevation in blood pressure and an increased protein concentration in urine. However, these signs are internal and cannot be directly perceived. There are other internal and external signs that suggest the presence of preeclampsia, which are typically assessed during prenatal visits. These signs include:
- Experiencing severe headaches
- Feeling nauseous and vomiting
- Feeling pain in the area below your ribs, or the upper belly region
- Affected vision, which includes blurred vision, or even temporary loss of complete vision
- Thrombocytopenia, which is defined as a decrease in the platelet count of your blood
- An increase in the number of liver enzymes affecting liver function
- A shortness of breath caused by fluid filling in up your lungs
- Weight gain and edema (swelling)
Caution: Do not mistake typical pregnancy symptoms for signs of preeclampsia!
It is easy to confuse the symptoms of preeclampsia with common pregnancy symptoms. For instance, weight gain is a normal occurrence during pregnancy, but in the case of preeclampsia, it may be sudden and significant. It is often challenging to differentiate between normal conditions and preeclampsia symptoms, which is why seeking medical evaluation is crucial. Overlooking potential symptoms during pregnancy can jeopardize both your well-being and your baby’s health.
Another situation where preeclampsia can go unnoticed is when mothers have pre-existing high blood pressure. Some mothers mistakenly assume that their blood pressure condition won’t affect the baby. However, specific circumstances can lead to the development of preeclampsia. For example:
- Gestational hypertension, which is similar to preeclampsia, begins with increased blood pressure after 20 weeks. However, this itself could lead to preeclampsia
- Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. A condition in which the mother already has chronic hypertension (increased blood pressure that was present before pregnancy but sustained longer than 3 months after the pregnancy) before pregnancy, but throughout the course of pregnancy, this blood pressure level progressively increases and eventually causes preeclampsia.
What are the potential complications of preeclampsia, especially during labor?
- One significant complication is impaired fetal growth. As previously mentioned, the root of this condition lies in the inadequate development of the placenta, which is responsible for nourishing and supporting the baby's growth. Without a proper connection, essential nutrients may not reach the baby, resulting in restricted growth.
- In some cases, the underdeveloped placenta may detach from the uterus, leading to a condition known as placental abruption. This detachment can cause severe bleeding during labor, endangering both the mother's and the baby's lives.
- Eclampsia itself is another critical complication. As mentioned earlier, eclampsia follows preeclampsia and involves recurrent seizures in the mother, potentially leading to a coma. It remains unclear what triggers this transition from preeclampsia to eclampsia, and at times, a mother may directly develop eclampsia without experiencing prior preeclampsia symptoms.
- Preeclampsia can also cause organ damage, particularly affecting the lungs, kidneys, eyes, and heart. This explains the associated symptoms in these areas. Additionally, it can lead to conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, HELLP syndrome (characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count), affecting multiple organs.
- One of the most common complications is preterm birth. As the term suggests, this refers to delivering the baby before the completion of the full nine-month term, typically around the 37th week. Preterm birth occurs when the mother's body can no longer support the baby's growth adequately. Premature babies may face challenges with breathing, vision, and overall development
Treatment options?
While there is no known cure for preeclampsia, effective treatment options are available. Medications prescribed by your healthcare provider can help manage the symptoms and mitigate the impact on your blood pressure, ultimately reducing the risks of preterm birth for your baby. It is essential to consult with a specialist to explore suitable treatment options tailored to your specific needs.
At Her Care Group, we have a team of pregnancy specialists who can provide expert consultations and accurate diagnoses for preeclampsia. Our comprehensive pregnancy program covers prenatal checks, ensuring a healthy and safe pregnancy journey for both you and your baby.
Conclusion
Ensuring your health during pregnancy is of utmost importance for the well-being of both you and your baby. Preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous condition, can have significant consequences if left untreated. Don’t compromise your health or the health of your child. Prioritize your pregnancy by seeking professional healthcare and partnering with dedicated providers. Remember, a healthy and safe pregnancy is the most precious gift you can give yourself and your little one.