Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Health High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia goes by many names, including Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Pregnancy Toxemia.

• According to the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, hypertension occurs in 6-8% of all pregnancies, whereas preeclampsia only develops in 2.6% of pregnancies.

• Why preeclampsia develops is not fully understood.

• Risk factors for developing preeclampsia include having high blood pressure before becoming pregnant, kidney disease, being a teenager or a woman over the age of 40, having a family history of preeclampsia, or carrying multiples. Preeclampsia is also more likely to occur in first pregnancies, however having preeclampsia once does not mean that you will also have it in subsequent pregnancies.

Having high blood pressure (hypertension) does not mean that you will develop preeclampsia – but it is a warning sign. Other common signs include rapid swelling of the body and high levels of protein in the urine.

• High blood pressure associated with preeclampsia is often described as acute hypertension that manifests itself after the 20^th week of pregnancy, although it can occur earlier.
• High blood pressure is also a causal factor in some miscarriages.
• Your diet can have a direct impact upon the development of high blood pressure. However, the recommended dies for individuals with high blood pressure chances once you become pregnant. If you suffer from high blood pressure before becoming pregnant, your doctor will inform you as to what changes you will need to make in your diet in order to accommodate the pregnancy.
• Studies have shown that vegans, vegetarians that eat only plant matter, have a significantly decreased risk of developing preeclampsia.

There is no known way of preventing preeclampsia. However, it is possible to minimize the effects. The key to preventing complications from preeclampsia is early detection and that means consistent prenatal care and regular blood pressure screenings. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that woman have their blood pressure taken at least once every four weeks up to the 28^th week of pregnancy. After that they should have it taken every 2-3 weeks until the 36^th week, and thereafter at least once a week until the child is born.

• Before conception - If you have high blood pressure talk to your doctor about methods of controlling your high blood pressure.
• After conception – your doctor may recommend that you take low doses of aspirin or she may prescribe special dietary supplements such as calcium. She may also recommend that you drink extra water.

Symptoms of preeclampsia can vary between individuals. Some symptoms of preeclampsia are also shared with other conditions related to pregnancy. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms.

• Dizziness or fainting
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blood in your vomit or urine
• Rapid swelling (edema) of any part of the body that does not go away after resting
• Weight gain of more than five pounds in one week
• Severe headache
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears that will not go away
• Fever
• Low, or no, urine output
• Blurred or double vision, or sudden blindness
• Drowsiness or inability to stay awake
• Unusual Stomach pains

Preeclampsia puts both the mother and the fetus at risk of complications.

• Maternal risks – preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia or HELLP syndrome. Both of these conditions can put the mother's life in jeopardy. Preeclampsia can also lead to a variety of other life threatening complications including acute renal failure, cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, and abruptio placentae.
• Fetal risks – preeclampsia can impair blood flow through the placenta. This can prevent the fetus from getting enough blood, which can have the result of depriving it of oxygen and food. Consequently, the fetus may be born developmentally impaired, underweight. It can also result in fetal death. Preeclampsia can also lead to premature birth.

Due to the risks associated with preeclampsia, the preferred treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. This is often done by means of an emergency cesarean section.

• If the baby is too young to survive a premature birth, your doctor may treat the condition with medications and bedrest. In some cases, you may be hospitalization until the baby is born so that your condition can be constantly monitored.
• Once preeclampsia develops, it will not dissipate until after the baby is born.