Pre-eclampsia: What you should know 

Pre-eclampsia is unarguably one of the most serious pregnancy-related complications an expectant mom can experience. This reputation is due to its far-reaching, and sometimes fatal consequences.

Characterized by a spike in blood pressure, which otherwise before pregnancy was not the case,  pre-eclampsia cases may also present with damage to other organs like the liver and kidneys. At other times, it may also lead to pulmonary edema, poor blood clotting, or even seizures.

Preeclampsia is deemed serious due to some reasons. Let’s outline a few of them for starters:

1. Pre-eclampsia occurs at the early stage of pregnancy, usually in the first 20 weeks. As such, it is difficult to evacuate the baby around this point which counts as a critical period in the pregnancy journey. 
2. Pre-eclampsia requires a medical diagnosis bit can be hard to detect because of the similarities of its symptoms with normal pregnancy symptoms. Worse still, in some cases, pre-eclampsia does not present with any symptoms whatsoever. 
3. Poor management of Pre-eclampsia can cause an eventual degeneration into full-blown eclampsia – which features seizures or the onset of a coma.
4. Pre-eclampsia affects the arteries responsible for nutrient, blood and oxygen supply to the fetus, leading to fetal growth restriction.
5. Pre-eclampsia can result in HELLP syndrome which means “hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count”. This acute form of preeclampsia is most fearful because it often indicates damage to several organ systems. 

Risk Factors

Some women are more prone to pre-eclampsia due to certain factors. They include: 

1. Previous history of preeclampsia
2. Multiple-gestation pregnancy (twins, triplets or more)
3. Obesity
4. Family history of preeclampsia
5. Medical history (chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney dysfunction, or organ transplant)
6. First pregnancy
7. Age (women below 20 years or over 35 years of age)
8. PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome)
9. Lupus or other autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis and multiple sclerosis)
10. Assisted Reproductive methods such as In-vitro fertilization
11. Sickle cell disease
12. Race (being of black or African-American descent)
13. Interval between pregnancies
14. New paternity

Signs and symptoms 

As we’ve earlier mentioned, diagnosing pre-eclampsia can be tricky because of its symptoms resemblance to normal pregnancy. However, outlined below are some of its most common symptoms:

• Proteinuria (excess protein in your urine  or other signs of kidney problems like reduced urine output
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe headaches
• Poor vision, including temporary loss, blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Upper abdominal pain, beneath the ribs on the right side
• Decreased levels of platelets in your blood (thrombocytopenia)
• Impaired liver function
• Shortness of breath, caused by fluid in your lungs

Prevention

No doubt, with such serious and life-threatening implications, it’s only normal to ensure you keep pre-eclampsia out of the way. Yet, medical research has yet to pinpoint the exact causes of pre-eclampsia. 

While some studies infer that Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing pre-eclampsia, others refute that there is any such connection. 

However, recognizing the most applicable risk factors may help women reduce their risk of preeclampsia even before conception. 

1. Low-dose aspirin: Women with certain medical histories, multiple gestation, or kidney problems may be placed by doctors on a daily low-dose aspirin beginning after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

1. Calcium supplements: This can help women with a calcium deficiency before pregnancy — and who doesn’t get enough calcium during pregnancy through diet — might benefit from calcium supplements to prevent preeclampsia. However, this is location-specific for women in regions with an intense calcium deficiency.
2. Avoid unprescribed medications, vitamins or supplements. Talk to you Dr before using any drug.
3. At the pre-pregnancy stage (especially when there’s a medical history of preeclampsia before), weight loss or management helps to keep the body in shape. 

In closing, once you’re pregnant, take care of yourself — and your baby — through early and regular prenatal care. Early detection can help you and your doctor can work together to prevent complications and make the best choices as you anticipate your baby’s arrival.