What is preeclampsia?
- It Is Characterized By High Blood Pressure
- It Can Sometimes Develop Without Symptoms
- It Is Caused By Several Factors
- It Can Lead To Serious Complications
- Prenatal Care Is The Best Prevention
Here at the Perpetual Help Medical Center-Las Pinas, we value prenatal care. We recommend mothers to see us as soon as possible after you find out that you’re expecting. This will help us develop the best prenatal care plan catered to your needs. This will also allow you to be diagnosed early on for any condition. With that said, any expecting mother should know about preeclampsia in the Philippines.
Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications during pregnancy in all populations. The condition is twice as alarming as it can sometimes develop without any symptoms. And when left untreated, it can lead to serious or even fatal occurrences for both you and your baby. Below, you will find out everything you should know about preeclampsia.
It Is Characterized By High Blood Pressure
So what exactly is preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is diagnosed when you develop hypertension (high blood pressure) during pregnancy. It often comes with protein in the urine, a low platelet count, impaired liver definition, kidney problems, fluid in the lungs, and visual disturbances.
It Can Sometimes Develop Without Symptoms
This is what makes preeclampsia alarming. It is a condition that can happen without warning during your pregnancy. High blood pressure can develop slowly or it can suddenly spike at a high level. This is why prenatal care and monitoring your blood pressure is important.
There are also signs and symptoms of preeclampsia such as the following:
- Excessive protein in your urine
- Kidney problems
- Severe and constant headaches
- Changes in vision and light sensitivity
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased urine
- Low levels of blood platelets
- Impaired liver function
- Shortness of breath
As you can see, some of these are unnoticeable symptoms. The best chance you have of having preeclampsia diagnosed is through your doctor during your hospital visits.
It Is Caused By Several Factors
Apart from high blood pressure, you may also be at higher risk of preeclampsia if you obtain any of the following:
- A family history of preeclampsia
- If you have underlying chronic hypertension
- If this is your first pregnancy
- If you are pregnant with a new partner
- Age (the risk for preeclampsia is significantly higher for fairly young pregnancies and women older than 35)
- If you are obese
It Can Lead To Serious Complications
Preeclampsia usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, or in the third trimester. Being diagnosed earlier than this can lead to more challenging tasks and restrictions. You may even need to be closely monitored in the hospital. Additionally, the more severe your preeclampsia is, the greater risks it may have for you and your child. The only treatment and cure for preeclampsia is induced labor and delivery. In some cases, a c-section is necessary if a speedy delivery is needed.
Again, this is why prenatal care, frequent visits to your doctor, and maintaining your blood pressure are recommended during pregnancy. If not, here are some complications that can take place:
- Fetal growth restrictions
- Premature birth
- Placental abruption
- HELLP syndrome (the destruction of red blood cells)
- Eclampsia
- Organ damage
- Cardiovascular disease
Prenatal Care Is The Best Prevention
There may be supplements, foods, and exercises that you can do. However, all women deal with pregnancies differently. There is no one size fits all prevention strategy for preeclampsia. It is important to know that you shouldn’t be partaking in any activity or consuming any medication without first talking to your doctor.
Once you figure out you are pregnant, seeking prenatal care with your doctor is what’s best. This way, in the case where preeclampsia is detected, you and your doctor can work out different strategies to cater to your situation.
Key Takeaway
Preeclampsia is one of the most prevalent conditions that mothers are diagnosed with during pregnancy. When overlooked and left untreated, it can lead to serious complications and even fatal occurrences for both you and your baby. This is why prenatal care is highly encouraged.
Here at the Perpetual Help Medical Center-Las Pinas, we offer complete maternal care for you to have a healthy 9-month experience and safe delivery. We can address all your concerns about preeclampsia in the Philippines and the other risks and conditions that come with pregnancy. Click here to check out our website!