What you need to know about pre-eclampsia
Do you wonder why you have your blood pressure taken at each of your prenatal appointments" It?s because doctors and midwives are checking for one of the most common signs of pre-eclampsia?high blood pressure. Most women with pre-eclampsia experience mild symptoms and deliver a healthy baby, but in rare cases there can be severe complications including maternal or fetal death. ?We want moms to be aware this is a possibility, but at the same time reassure them that they are being cared for,? explains Lisa Valle, an OB/GYN at Providence Saint John?s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Here?s what you need to know about pre-eclampsia to keep both you and your baby healthy.
What is pre-eclampsia"
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication typically characterized by three main symptoms: high blood pressure, swelling in the hands and feet (also known as edema) and protein in the urine. It can also cause damage to another organ system in addition to the cardiovascular, most frequently the liver and the kidneys. Pre-eclampsia usually starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and women can experience it up to six weeks postpartum, though it usually resolves 48 hours after delivery. In most cases, the woman had normal blood pressure before. In the United States, pre-eclampsia occurs in about 3.4 percent of pregnancies. It can lead to serious and, in rare cases, deadly complications for both mother and baby.
What causes pre-eclampsia"
The precise cause isn?t known, thou...
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