I’m worried about developing pre-eclampsia. What symptoms should I look out for?

Q  I’m worried about developing pre-eclampsia.  What symptoms should I look out for?

A  Pre-eclampsia is a kind of hypertensive (high blood pressure) disorder found only in pregnancy.  The causes are unknown, but there are several warning signs – high blood pressure reading (which is why your midwife or doctor takes your blood pressure regularly during pregnancy), presence of protein in your urine (known as proteinuria and tested each time hence you giving a sample upon each visit), in severe cases women can experienced visual disturbances (seeing flashes).  Sensitivity to light, headaches, pain across the top of the uterus and occasional vomiting and the “not feeling well.”

If untreated it can lead to eclampsia, which is a serious and potentially fatal condition.

Be assured that as long as you attend all your antenatal checks you should be fine as you are continually monitored for this.

In mild cases of pre-eclampsia you will attend the hospital for monitoring by the antenatal day unit and you will have your blood pressure, urine and blood taken to asses the severity.  Most women don’t go onto have the serious complications; all that is required is close monitoring.  Symptoms usually improve enough to allow the pregnancy to continue naturally but in very severe cases your labour may be induced or the baby delivered by caesarean section.  Once the baby is born the pre-eclampsia disappears.