Preeclampsia: The Silent Threat during Pregnancy

What is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia typically arises after the 20th week of pregnancy and is recognised by its characteristic feature of high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Both these properties of this condition are a signal of potential organ damage, specifically to the kidneys and liver, and if left untreated, can lead to severe conditions like seizures, organ failure, and premature birth.

Although there are specific preeclampsia treatments available for the condition, preeclampsia management needs careful monitoring to make sure the health of both the baby and mother is not affected much.

Preeclampsia Causes

The actual cause of Preeclampsia lies within the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, according to which preeclampsia is related to the problems with blood vessels present in the placenta. In Preeclampsia, these blood vessels don’t develop properly, due to which the flow of blood is compromised. This improper flow of blood leads to an inflammatory response and hence damages the inner lining of the blood vessels, the damage causes high blood pressure and the escaping of protein into the urine.

Several other factors, such as underlying health conditions, include:

• Diabetes in the mother, or
• A history of kidney disorders and
• Genetics also plays a crucial role in this condition
• Known case of hypertension

Preeclampsia Diagnosis

Healthcare providers usually use the following methods to help in the diagnosis of Preeclampsia:

• Regular checking of Blood Pressure : Consistent reading of more than 140/90 mmHg is a primary indicator of Preeclampsia.
• Urine Tests : The presence of protein is a major diagnostic criterion.
• Blood Tests : These are done to check the complications related to liver damage, low platelet count, or impaired kidney function.
• Ultrasound : To monitor the baby’s growth and placental function.

Preeclampsia Treatment Options

The Treatment of Preeclampsia is done on the basis of the seriousness of the condition and gestational age of the baby. For mild preeclampsia, your doctor can suggest you:

• Management of Preeclampsia by checking on blood pressure regularly.
• Take bed rest or reduce your physical activities to manage stress on the body.
• Medicines to lower blood pressure and prevent complications.
• Salt restriction.
• High protein diet.

In more severe cases, the only cure for preeclampsia is delivery, even if the pregnancy has not reached its full term. The timing of delivery will totally depend upon the mother’s and baby’s health.

The Link Between Preeclampsia and Infertility

The research is going on to find a relationship between Preeclampsia and infertility, but it’s almost confirmed that Preeclampsia can complicate a woman’s reproductive health. Women with preeclampsia in one pregnancy are more prone to have difficulty conceiving again. The cause of this can be the vascular issues imposed by preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, which affects the function of the female reproductive system (ovaries or uterus).

Impact of Preeclampsia on Future Fertility

It must be noted that preeclampsia doesn’t necessarily need to cause permanent infertility, with an example of many women conceiving successfully in the future. But it may surely increase the risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies. As mentioned earlier, this condition causes damage to blood vessels, which imposes a threat to complications such as premature birth or low weight of your new infant. It is suggested that women with a previous history of Preeclampsia must seek medical help for counselling to discuss the related risks and how to tackle them.

Preventive Measures for Preeclampsia

Although there are no perfect methods to prevent this, there are some things that every mother-to-be should consider to reduce risk during pregnancy:

• Maintaining a healthy diet : Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is important to not only reduce the risk of this condition but also for other conditions.
• Doing Regular Exercise : Regular exercises must be done to maintain your and your baby’s overall health.
• Monitoring Existing Health Conditions : Management of already existing health conditions like diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure can lower the chances of developing preeclampsia.
• Regular Prenatal Visits : Regular visits to your health care provider are a must to detect any earlier signs of high blood pressure or the presence of protein.

Preeclampsia and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

Women who are seeking help from fertility treatments to conceive, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia due to some pre-existing conditions such as multiple pregnancies (twins or more). Careful monitoring during pregnancy can detect and manage preeclampsia early in the term of pregnancy.

If you are planning to get help with any of these treatments, then talk to your doctor about the risk of developing preeclampsia and how they can be reduced, if any.

Tips for Women with Preeclampsia History Planning Pregnancy

Women who have had a medical history of preeclampsia should do a full strategic planning for their future pregnancy. Here are some tips that you can use:

• Consult with a good obstetrician before trying to conceive.
• Manage your pre-medical conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, carefully.
• Early prenatal care means visits to the doctor before the birth of your baby to detect any signs of preeclampsia.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by managing a healthy and balanced diet and regular physical activity.

When to seek help?

You must seek medical care when or if you experience the following symptoms after the 20th week of your pregnancy term:

• Severe headaches
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath

Conclusion

Preeclampsia is a critical condition that can affect you and your baby’s health. Early diagnosis with precise preeclampsia tests is necessary to tackle the effects. With proper management and monitoring techniques, you can enhance the health of you and your unborn child. Women with a history of preeclampsia must visit their gynaecologists to experience the bliss of pregnancy without having any headaches.