So what is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that usually
develops in the second half of your pregnancy.
The oxygen that passes through the placenta
into your baby's blood stream is diminished.
That means that less oxygen gets through.
We don't really know why it happens, but the condition is called pre-eclampsia.
It's not a very common condition, in it's milder form it affects around 6% of pregnancies.
1-2% of women develop the more severe form.
There are a few risk factors that may make
it more likely that you may suffer from pre-eclampsia.
They include: high blood pressure, diabetes,
kidney disease, being overweight or previously being overweight and family history.
If your mum or sister had pre-eclampsia, there
is a greater chance that you will too.
There are a couple more risk factors to bear
in mind.
If you suffer from lupus or APS you may be
a greater risk. Or if you have had pre-eclampsia before.
If you have suffered pre-eclampsia before,
make sure you tell your current midwife.
What are the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia
that you need to be aware of?
The biggest two are high blood pressure and
protein in your urine.
But, every time you go and see your midwife
she will be checking both of those things.
If she finds them, then she will probably
send you in for some blood tests at the hospital.
Between your antenatal appointments it's really
important that you keep an eye out for other symptoms as well.
Such as having headaches and visual disturbances.
Such as zigzags or flashing in front of your
eyes, or blind spots.
If you have, pain in the middle of your tummy
and also if you start to swell around your face, neck, hands and feet.
Swelling in your hands and feet is really
common in the summer months, so don't panic if that happens to you.
But make sure to let someone know if you have
any other symptoms along side that.
It's also worth mentioning if you have a lot
of unexpected weight gain that can also be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
Make sure to mention that to your midwife
at your first opportunity.
So could it harm your baby? Ultimatley you
need to be on top of your symptoms. Every time you go to see your midwife they will
be checking for this too.
However, it goes untreated it can become harmful.
Please don't delay if you are concerned with your symptoms.
If they do think you are suffering from pre-eclampsia
they may send you to the hospital.
This is to make sure that they can keep an
eye on you and your baby, and get you the medication you need to keep you healthy during
the remainder of your pregnancy.
If you are officially diagnosed you will be
monitored quite heavily during the rest of your pregnancy.
But that is to make sure your baby and you
stay safe.
What can you do to try and treat pre-eclampsia?
Ultimately, the only way to get rid of it is to delivery your baby.
If you are diagnosed chances are you will
be sent to hospital and you will stay there until it is safe to delivery your baby.
In moderate cases it can be possible to be
treated from home as well. You will have those blood pressure tablets most likely, but this
will also include extra ultrasound scans.
The purpose of these are to measure the blood
flow from you to your baby to make sure it is staying at a safe level.
If this changes then the plan changes and
it may mean that you have to delivery sooner then planned; either by caesarean section
or by natural birth.
It is also worth mentioning that you can develop
pre-eclampsia after the birth of your baby.
After you give birth if you develop any of
the symptoms I've mentioned, get in touch with your midwife straight away.
In very rare cases it can develop into something
more serious.
It can turn into Eclampsia or HELLP Syndrome.These
conditions are very rare. Usually pre-eclampsia stays as just that.
However, it gives you a bit extra motivation
to keep on top of your antenatal appointments to make sure that your blood pressure and
urine is fine.
For more support you can get in touch with
the Mumsnet support-boards or Action on pre - eclampsia for some more advice.
See the link in the description for more information
about pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Mumsnet Youtube
channel and like our videos for more information. And also keep your eye out for more pregnancy
videos which are on the way.