Pre-Eclampsia and Pregnancy Hypertension

Pre-Eclampsia and Pregnancy Hypertension

-Affects 1-5 out of every 100 pregnant women

-It is usually diagnosed in the second half of pregnancy after the 20th week, during labor, or shortly after delivery.

-Signs include high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

-It can affect the liver and kidneys, cause blood clots without protein in the urine, and may lead to seizures.

What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?

- Severe headache

- Blurred vision

- Severe pain below the ribs

- Heartburn

- Rapid swelling of the face, hands, or feet

- Nausea and vomiting

What does this mean for the baby?

High blood pressure during pregnancy affects the placenta, which can lead to the baby being smaller than it should be, and in some cases, it can cause fetal death in utero.

Who is most at risk?

- Those who had high blood pressure before pregnancy.

- Those with high blood pressure in previous pregnancies.

- Those with kidney problems or autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

- Those with diabetes.

- First pregnancy.

- Age over 40.

- More than 10 years have passed since the last pregnancy.

- Body mass index (BMI) over 35.

- Multiple pregnancies.

When does delivery occur?

If the pregnancy is 37 weeks or more, delivery usually takes place. If the mother's or fetus's health deteriorates before week 37, delivery is recommended as it is safer than continuing the pregnancy. The only way to treat preeclampsia is to terminate the pregnancy. Each case is assessed to determine whether a vaginal or cesarean delivery will be performed, regardless of the gestational age.

What is the likelihood of developing preeclampsia in future pregnancies?

It depends on which week of pregnancy the preeclampsia occurred during. - If the delivery occurred between weeks 28 and 34, one in three women who had preeclampsia will experience it again.

- If the delivery occurred between weeks 34 and 37, one in four women who had preeclampsia will experience it again

- If delivery occurs after 37 weeks, one in six women who have had PET will have it again.

Therefore, they may be advised to take baby aspirin 81 mg in subsequent pregnancies, and to avoid smoking, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and maintain a healthy weight.

Dr Najeeb Layyous  F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist