A condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, sometimes with fluid retention and proteinuria are known as preeclampsia. In pregnant women having normal BP, preeclampsia mostly begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy which may lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both mom and baby. Using Healtheoz HMOM app, we can make a track of our diet & exercise so as to avoid any such complication in pregnancy & to make our 9 months journey smooth & stress-free.
The main known symptoms are high blood pressure and protein in the urine followed by swelling in the legs and water retention which is difficult to distinguish from a normal pregnancy.
Preeclampsia is mostly during a routine BP & urine test. In similar cases, if the baby is considered “term” (on or after 37 weeks) and the growth rate is normal, the baby is delivered, and the mother monitored and sent home as usual.
The impact of preeclampsia is intense if it occurs earlier in the pregnancy, or in a woman with high blood pressure before pregnancy. Care providers may suggest time off work, bed rest, medication and even hospitalization to keep the BP in control. Keeping the baby in the uterus as long as possible, assuming continuous growth, is preferred for the long-term health of the baby.
The only "cure" of this disease begins with the delivery of the baby and placenta, which is sometimes recommended before the pregnancy goes to term in the best interest of the mother. Doctors may prescribe anti-hypertensive medications. If the blood pressure o the mother cannot be managed with medication and treatment, and the mother's and/or baby’s health is at risk, steroids are given to aid the maturation of the infant's lungs prior to delivering the baby.
Preeclampsia can often be managed with oral or IV medication until the baby is sufficiently mature to be delivered.