THE BABBLE TAKE
Preeclampsia, also known as toxemia, is a serious condition that affects about 5 to 8 percent of all pregnancies. Most women with preeclampsia have a mild form that develops close to the due date and — with proper care — are able to stay healthy and have a healthy baby. In severe cases, or when preeclampsia happens early on in a pregnancy, it can be life-threatening to both mother and fetus. Preeclampsia can usually be controlled if properly treated and monitored. However it can only be cured by the pregnancy being over, which is why the doctor may have to deliver the baby early in severe cases. The websites below list more symptoms and information on preeclampsia. Regular prenatal care is essential to detecting and managing preeclampsia. Experts caution that if you are feeling unwell or think you might have preeclampsia you should contact your doctor right away.
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Preeclampsia Foundation
"Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5–8 percent of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms. Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late second or third trimesters or middle to late pregnancy), though it can occur earlier. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia."
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BabyCenter ®
"The more severe your preeclampsia and the earlier it occurs in your pregnancy, the greater the risks for both you and your baby. Most women who get preeclampsia develop a mild version near their due date and they and their babies do fine with proper care. But when preeclampsia is severe, it can affect many organs and cause serious or even life-threatening problems. That's why you'll need to deliver early if your condition is severe or getting worse."
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Family Doctor
"Preeclampsia (say 'pre-ee-clamp-see-ah'), which is also called toxemia, is a problem that occurs in some women during pregnancy. It can happen during the second half of pregnancy. Your doctor will look for the following signs of preeclampsia: high blood pressure, swelling that doesn't go away and large amounts of protein in your urine. [...] If your doctor sees that your blood pressure is high, he or she will watch you closely for changes that could mean you have preeclampsia. In addition to high blood pressure, women who have preeclampsia also have excessive swelling. They may also have protein in their urine. Many women with high blood pressure during pregnancy don't have protein in their urine or extreme swelling, and don't get preeclampsia."
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Medline
"Preeclampsia is the development of elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. It may be associated with swelling of the face and hands. [...] Currently, the only way to cure preeclampsia is to deliver the baby. However, if that delivery would be very premature, the disease may be managed by bed rest, close monitoring, and delivery as soon as the fetus has a good chance of surviving outside the womb. Patients are usually hospitalized, but occasionally they may be managed on an outpatient basis with careful monitoring of blood pressure, urine checks for protein, and weight. Optimally, attempts are made to manage the condition until a delivery after 36 weeks of pregnancy can be achieved."
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WebMD
"The only real cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is the birth of the baby. Mild preeclampsia (blood pressure greater than 140/90 that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation in a woman who did not have hypertension before; and/or having a small amount of protein in the urine can be managed with careful hospital or in-home observation along with activity restriction. If the baby is pre-term, the condition can be managed until your baby can be safely delivered. Your health care provider may prescribe bed rest, hospitalization or medication to prolong the pregnancy and increase your unborn baby's chances of survival. If your baby is close to term, labor may be induced."
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