There is no doubt that the life of the mother and the fetus is precious and requires attention to the silent danger that afflicts the mother during this period, which is preeclampsia. The incidence of it has reached approximately 8% among women around the world, which portends a real problem that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment before it is too late. Therefore, through this article, we will learn about this condition, its causes, symptoms, and quick and effective treatment methods.    

What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a serious medical condition that affects pregnant women, where blood pressure suddenly rises with the appearance of high levels of protein in the urine, which requires urgent medical intervention to avoid any risks or complications that threaten the life of the mother and the fetus. Unfortunately, this condition develops very quickly, so prompt intervention when symptoms are noticed in the mother during pregnancy is extremely important.

Prognosis of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia usually begins after the 20th week of pregnancy, that is, the beginning of the fifth month. The mother feels some abnormal symptoms depending on the severity of the condition, and of course it begins with an increase in blood pressure, along with other symptoms that we will discuss later in detail. As the condition develops, the mother may experience convulsive seizures, or what is called eclampsia, if not treated immediately.

Types of preeclampsia

As for the types related to preeclampsia, they include 5 types:

• Simple preeclampsia: The mother does not have clear symptoms, but some tests may reveal high blood pressure and the appearance of protein in the urine.
• Severe preeclampsia: Serious symptoms appear on the mother, with blood pressure reaching 160/110 with a high percentage of protein in the urine.
• HELLP Syndrome: It is an emergency condition that requires immediate delivery because it causes hemolysis with high liver enzymes and low platelets.
• Eclampsia: This means that the mother experiences convulsions and then falls into a coma. It is a sudden condition that occurs without previous symptoms and requires immediate medical intervention.
• Postpartum preeclampsia: It may occur days or perhaps weeks after birth, and its symptoms include high blood pressure, severe headache, and blurry or blurry vision.

Causes of preeclampsia

There are many reasons that affect the health of pregnancy and lead to preeclampsia, the most prominent of which are:

• Health factors: such as the mother suffering from some diseases or conditions such as high blood pressure before pregnancy, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, lupus, or morbid obesity.
• Genetic factors: There is a family history of preeclampsia, and this condition increases in mothers under the age of 18 and over the age of 35.
• Factors related to pregnancy: such as the first pregnancy, pregnancy with more than one child, pregnancy through artificial insemination, or a long period of time of up to 10 years from the last pregnancy.
• A problem with the placenta: Some cases may result from a problem with the development of the placenta, which restricts blood flow to the fetus and encourages the body to release substances that lead to high blood pressure.

Symptoms of preeclampsia

Symptoms vary from one case to another depending on their severity, so we will mention the symptoms that appear in different cases, the most prominent of which are:

• Persistently high blood pressure, and in severe cases the measurement reaches 160/110 mm Hg.
• Sudden swelling of the hands, feet and face also due to the presence of protein in the urine.
• Visual disturbances such as blurring of the eye, seeing light spots, and temporary loss of vision.
• Severe pain in the upper abdomen on the right side due to kidney damage.
• Sudden and unexplained nausea and vomiting in the last months of pregnancy.
• Severe headaches that do not improve even with regular painkillers.
• Decreased urine output due to kidney damage.

There are some serious symptoms that indicate that the mother is exposed to an emergency that may lead to the life of the fetus and her life, and these symptoms include the following:

• Shortness of breath due to fluid accumulation in the lungs.
• Changes in consciousness and a state of confusion due to damage to the nervous system.
• Serious convulsive seizures may develop until the mother goes into a complete coma.

Methods of diagnosing preeclampsia

One of the most important methods for diagnosing preeclampsia, which must be completely done by a specialist doctor when noticing any abnormal symptoms or signs after the fifth month of pregnancy:

• Continuously measuring blood pressure: This is a routine procedure performed by the obstetrician and gynecologist at every visit.
• Clinical examination and asking about the symptoms that occur, along with a complete medical history for the mother.
• Urinalysis to detect the protein that causes preeclampsia (proteinuria).
• Necessary blood tests, such as kidney and liver function analysis and platelet count.
• Ultrasound or ultrasound examination to monitor the growth of the fetus and placenta.
• Doppler procedure to measure blood flow in the placenta and ensure its safety.
• Do an ECG of the fetus to ensure its safety.  

How to treat preeclampsia

Doctors usually resort to treating preeclampsia quickly in order to preserve the health of both the mother and the fetus until the appropriate date of birth. Among the most important treatment methods recommended by specialist doctors are:

Treating simple cases with observation

In the case of simple poisoning, the doctor may suffice with some medications and careful monitoring of the mother in the hospital, and it is never recommended at home. This includes monitoring blood pressure, periodic blood and urine tests, and monitoring the growth of the fetus and placenta, in addition to complete rest for the mother and reduced activity until the time of delivery arrives.

You can book your consultation now at مركز صحة المرأة At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

The most important medications related to preeclampsia

Doctors treat the condition with some medications aimed at controlling blood pressure, protecting the fetus until birth, and preventing convulsions. These medications include the following:

• Labetalol, for lowering blood pressure, is the most widely used medication because it is safe for pregnancy.
• Magnesium sulfate to prevent convulsions in severe cases of poisoning and is given intravenously.
• Medications to maintain the health of the fetus in the event of premature birth, the most important of which are steroids to accelerate lung growth.

الولادة المبكرة

In severe cases accompanied by convulsions, the doctor must set an immediate date for delivery after controlling blood pressure and giving the mother the necessary medications to stop the convulsions to ensure relative stability of the condition, in order to preserve the mother’s life as much as possible.

Ways to prevent preeclampsia

The specialist doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital recommend some tips that help prevent preeclampsia, including:

• Regular visits to the doctor and commitment to monthly follow-up from your doctor. 
• Monitor and measure blood pressure at home or with a doctor constantly.
• Take low-dose aspirin after week 12 of pregnancy.
• Proper healthy nutrition that contains a low percentage of salt.
• تناول Pregnancy vitamins Foods rich in calcium and avoiding processed foods.
• Complete rest and avoid stress when feeling tired.
• Drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated.
• Do not stand for a long time to prevent fluid accumulation.
• Do light exercise to stimulate blood flow.
• Avoid obesity and smoking.
• Beware of pregnancy after the age of 35.

Complications of preeclampsia

The condition usually develops due to neglecting to control blood pressure and leaving the mother unattended, and she is exposed to complications of preeclampsia, which include:

1. Low fetal weight and poor growth due to premature birth. 
2. The mother had a stroke or a stroke due to sudden high blood pressure.
3. Convulsions or seizures that resemble epilepsy are an emergency that threatens the lives of both the mother and the fetus.
4. The mother is exposed to a lack of oxygen, which leads to damage to the brain, heart, liver and kidneys.
5. Premature abruption of the placentaIt separates from the uterine wall, causing severe bleeding and leading to the death of the fetus.
6. HELLP syndrome involves breakdown of red blood cells and low platelets leading to bleeding and kidney failure.
7. At birth, the fetus is exposed to a breathing problem or other health problem, and in some severe cases, the baby dies in the womb or immediately after birth.

The stages and types of preeclampsia vary from one case to another, but what must be known is rapid medical intervention to save the life of the mother and her fetus before the matter develops. Therefore, doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital advise, when noticing any strange symptoms during pregnancy, to quickly contact the hospital to do the necessary work. There is an integrated unit to treat these cases to preserve the mother’s life as much as possible. Your safety is the most precious thing we work for.

Frequently asked questions

Below we answer the most common questions we receive from our followers:

Does preeclampsia die?

Yes, unfortunately it can lead to death if diagnosed late and the mother is left untreated because it gradually leads to brain damage with kidney and liver failure.

In what month does preeclampsia begin?

This serious condition usually begins in the fifth month of pregnancy, i.e. the twentieth week, as we mentioned, and it can happen in some cases in the last three months of pregnancy.

Can preeclampsia be cured?

Yes, preeclampsia can be cured without complications for the mother, but recovery after childbirth often occurs within the first weeks, with the need to monitor blood pressure regularly afterward.

Does the fetus move during preeclampsia?

Yes, the fetus moves during preeclampsia, but it is necessary to pay attention to the movement whether there are changes or not, and usually in advanced cases the movement may decrease noticeably. 

What happens to the fetus in case of preeclampsia?

In this case, the fetus experiences many disorders that affect its growth, such as a lack of oxygen and nutrition, and a lack of amniotic fluid surrounding it, which affects the development of the lungs and movement.

المصادر الطبية:

Preeclampsia – cleveland clinic

Pre-eclampsia – nhs