Fortunately, pre-eclampsia affects only a small percentage of pregnant women. But I myself was once diagnosed as a serious candidate for the condition and was watched closely and carefully treated by my obstetrician.

At first, I was terrified by the diagnosis of eclampsia. Little by little, my doctor reassured me and explained that this is a situation where you need to be extra careful, pay triple attention, strictly follow your diet, but it is possible to make it to 40 weeks as I did.

Pre-eclampsia is the excessive increase of the pregnant woman’s blood pressure, which can lead to actual eclampsia and cause seizures from neurological distress, potentially even affecting the baby’s health.

Pre-eclampsia Symptoms

From the 20th week, it is possible to notice the symptoms of pre-eclampsia, such as: high blood pressure, swelling in parts of the body (face, feet, legs, and hands), along with headache and, in some cases, blurred vision and flashes of light2. In addition, the pregnant woman begins to lose protein in the urine, which can be detected through a urine test ordered by the obstetrician.

How to Diagnose Pre-eclampsia

If the doctor suspects that the pregnant woman has developed pre-eclampsia, they will order a series of tests, such as:

  • 24 or 48-hour proteinuria test, which consists of all the urine passed during this period. It will determine if the amount of protein is normal for your body. The test may vary from lab to lab, but generally the limit is 300mg per 24 hours.
  • Platelets (normal above 250,000)
  • Urea
  • Sodium
  • Potassium

The doctor may also more often request a Doppler ultrasound of the placenta to detect any fissures in the uterus arteries due to excessive blood pressure. In this exam, it is also possible to check whether the blood supply is sufficient for the baby’s growth.

Factors That Can Lead to Pre-eclampsia

  • Pre-existing obesity or obesity acquired during pregnancy
  • Circulatory system disorders
  • Twin pregnancy
  • Smoking
  • Genetic predisposition

If pre-eclampsia is diagnosed, the doctor will recommend a low-sodium diet3 and a medication appropriate for pregnant women (such as Methyldopa) to help control blood pressure. In my case, I ended up taking the maximum Methyldopa dose (2,000 mg per day), one pill every 6 hours.

The medication for eclampsia delivered the expected result because it controlled my blood pressure during the last month of pregnancy. However, the dosage was increased over time by my obstetrician who, at first, suggested delivery at 37 weeks, which is 9 months. But with the pressure under control, the delivery happened at 40 weeks. My blood pressure reached 14×11, which is extremely high for a pregnant woman.

Is There a Cure?

Pre-eclampsia is a truly delicate condition, which requires total commitment from the expectant mother and also from the medical professional who is following the pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is only resolved at the time of birth, and in some cases, it can persist for up to 3 or 4 days after delivery, though by then the risk is much lower.

However, the doctor will continue to monitor the mother until the pre-eclampsia is completely gone. It is not the pregnant woman’s fault to have this problem. When my doctor gave me the diagnosis, I was devastated thinking I had done something wrong. But, according to him, it is an isolated factor over which we have no control. Pre-eclampsia simply appears, but it is indeed possible to control it.

Not every pregnancy in a woman’s life will have this problem. According to one study, for every 5 women who have had pre-eclampsia, only one will have it again. Please be alert and look after your diet very carefully. And attend all your prenatal visits religiously. Sending you a kiss and good luck!

See also: Pregnancy Pains – What Is Normal? Photo: jasleen_kaur