There is a host of problems that could arise during a woman's
pregnancy and preeclampsia is one to look out for. Although it
occurs in approximately just five-eight percent of all
pregnancies, preeclampsia is no small matter because it puts at
risk both the baby and the mother.
What is preeclampsia? It is a syndrome that occurs in pregnant
women who are hypertensive, that is, those who have high blood
pressure. They get swollen legs and a considerable amount of
protein spillage into their urine. They may even get
convulsions, particularly in the second part of the pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension or
toxemia. It is more common in women who are pregnant for the
first time and those pregnant by a new husband. However, a
second or third pregnancy does not guarantee a preeclampsia-free
term. According to a study in Aberdeen, Scotland, almost 1 in
150 women who has had a normal blood pressure during their first
pregnancy can get preeclampsia during their second.
The risk is heightened for those who have previously experienced
high blood pressure and women who also suffered from
preeclampsia before the third trimester.
A family history of diabetes is also cause for concern; women
whose sisters, mothers, aunts or grandmothers got preeclampsia
should also be careful. Moreover, the possibility of getting
preeclampsia increases relative to the woman's age; the older
she is, the higher the risk, particularly if the woman is over
40. However, early pregnancies are just as at risk as late ones.
Teenage mothers--girls younger than 18--are not exempt.
Other significant factors that may complicate a pregnancy and
induce preeclampsia are ovarian cysts, lupus and arthritis.
Women who do not have or have never had the aforementioned
illnesses should not be so complacent. If symptoms of
preeclampsia start manifesting, they should consult their doctor
straightaway.
While pregnant women feel all sorts of sensations that are
common for their delicate situation, there are certain
occurrences that may point to preeclampsia. All these symptoms
should never be ignored:
- Frequent dizziness and drowsiness.
- Getting massive headaches.
- Unbearable nausea.
- Hearing incessant buzzing or ringing.
- Throwing up blood.
- Frequent and prolonged vomiting.
- Getting impossibly swollen feet and hands.
- Seldom urinating or not at all.
- Having blood mixed in the urine.
- Irregular, rapid heartbeat.
- Having a high fever.
- Getting blurred or double vision.
- Sudden loss of vision.
It is important to be on the guard because the exact causes of
preeclampsia is largely unknown. It does not have one easily
identifiable cause, and there is not one test that diagnoses the
problem.
When women go to the doctor, the first thing their doctor will
do is to take their blood pressure. A large rise is indicative
of preeclampsia. Urine tests are performed to measure the
protein in the urine. A blood test may also be done. If the
woman is exhibiting signs of preeclampsia, the doctor will want
to conduct checkups at least once every week, if not every day.
What preeclampsia does is to hinder blood going to the placenta,
which is what provides air and food to the baby. Less blood in
the placenta means less air and food for the baby, thus a low
weight for the newborn.
A good advice to keep in mind for pregnant women is to control
their blood pressure. When one is not pregnant, the way to do
this is to cut down on her salt intake. If one is however
pregnant, the body will need the salt to aid in the flow of
fluids. Doctors may recommend aspirin and calcium for
preeclampsia prevention or tell women to lie on their left side
while taking rest.
If preeclampsia does occur in one pregnancy, it does not
entirely spell doom for the mother and child. Women can still
deliver babies with perfect health but it is rare. So all these
precautions are advisable and will prove that mothers know best
if they do heed both the warnings and preventive measures.
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