Who’s at Risk for Preeclampsia?

Modern medicine helps thousands of women in the US deliver healthy babies every day. However, certain problems still occur during pregnancy — including high blood pressure. While dangerous for everyone, it poses even greater risks during pregnancy.

If you develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, you have preeclampsia. Our board-certified medical team with North Atlanta Ob/Gyn are experienced in identifying and treating this condition so that you have a safe pregnancy and delivery. We also educate moms-to-be on spotting the warning signs of this problem.

What you should know about preeclampsia 

Even if your blood pressure has been normal throughout your life, it can change when you’re pregnant. It may remain normal until about week 20. For reasons doctors don’t fully understand, your blood pressure can jump to 140/90 or higher at this point in your pregnancy: you now have preeclampsia.

You may not have any noticeable symptoms in the early stages of hypertension during pregnancy. That’s why regular checkups are so important. At every appointment, we check your blood pressure to ensure it’s normal. If it’s not, we can put a plan in progress before the condition causes problems in your pregnancy.

You can’t ignore preeclampsia. It can result in serious complications and even death. While not common, in certain cases, we may need to deliver your baby sooner than anticipated.

In addition to monitoring your blood pressure during your pregnancy, we continue monitoring it after you give birth. Your elevated risk doesn’t disappear for about six weeks.

Signs of preeclampsia

Most of the time, preeclampsia develops over a period of time. However, it can appear suddenly in some pregnancies. If you notice any of these symptoms, call our office for an appointment right away: 

• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe headaches
• Sensitivity to light sensitivity or blurred vision
• Shortness of breath
• Lower than normal urine output
• Abdominal pain

Sometimes you don’t have symptoms, but we may identify changes in your lab work that indicate preeclampsia, such as fewer platelets in your blood, excess protein in your urine, and impaired liver function.

Risks for preeclampsia

Preeclampsia can happen even if you don’t have known risk factors, but your chances increase if any of the following pertain to you: 

• Had hypertension before becoming pregnant 
• Have a family or personal history of preeclampsia
• Are obese 
• Are older than age 35
• Are having your first baby
• Have had in vitro fertilization
• Are having twins, triplets, or more
• Had a baby less than two years ago
• Haven’t had a baby for 10 years
• Are having a baby with a different father than previous birth(s)
• Have migraines, diabetes, kidney disease, lupus, or a blood clotting issue
• Are African American

Complications due to preeclampsia

Without treatment, preeclampsia puts you and your baby at risk. Following are some of the dangers:

Risks to your baby’s life and health 

Hypertension during pregnancy slows blood flow to the placenta, which can affect your baby’s growth and result in a low birth weight. You may need an earlier than anticipated delivery. Depending on how early in your pregnancy this occurs, your baby could have underdeveloped lungs and experience breathing problems.

Preeclampsia can cause severe bleeding if the placenta pulls away from the inner wall of your uterus. This can endanger the life of your baby. 

Risks to your health 

Preeclampsia can result in multiple health complications both during pregnancy and after the birth. You could develop cardiovascular issues as well as risk damage to your eyes, liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, and other organs.

Preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia, which includes all of the preeclampsia symptoms plus seizures. If you experience eclampsia, we must deliver your baby immediately, no matter what stage of development. 

Managing preeclampsia

Approximately one out of every 25 women develop preeclampsia. If you develop it, we provide guidance on what to do. The course of action depends on the severity of your condition, the gestational age, and development of your baby.

We may prescribe medication; drugs can lower blood pressure. Corticosteroids can support platelet and liver function, and anticonvulsants can prevent seizures.

We may advise bedrest as well. However, this approach can increase your risk for getting blood clots, so we monitor you closely, which may mean a hospital stay.

Try not to worry unduly if you develop preeclampsia. Thousands of women with preeclampsia deliver healthy babies. We've guided many women through high-risk pregnancies, including preeclampsia.

Call North Atlanta OB/GYN, or book an appointment online at one of our three convenient offices today for expert pregnancy care.