What You Need to Know About Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious health problem that can happen during pregnancy. Without treatment, preeclampsia can lead to other illnesses and even death for you as well as your baby. Every year, about 46,000 women and 500,000 babies die as a result of preeclampsia (source). But, when its discovered early, your healthcare provider can help treat it. It is important to know the signs of preeclampsia and talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any signs so you can avoid dangerous complications.

What Is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia happens when your blood pressure gets too high. It can be dangerous for both you and your baby if it’s not found early and treated by a healthcare provider. Preeclampsia usually starts during the second or third trimester, usually after 20 weeks. It can also happen after the baby is born.

Who is at Risk of Preeclampsia?

Anyone who is pregnant can get preeclampsia. You are most at-risk if:

• You have had preeclampsia before.

• You have (or have in the past) high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney problems.

• You are pregnant with twins, triplets, or more.

• You have two or more of the moderate risk factors listed below.

You are at moderate risk if:

• You have not been pregnant for the past 10 years.

• You are 35 years old or older.

• You are overweight.

• You have had problems in past pregnancies; for instance, a low-birth-weight baby.

• You have a family member who has had preeclampsia before.

• You used IVF (in vitro fertilization) to get pregnant.

If you are Black, Indigenous, or live in a low-income community, you may also be at risk. This is not because of a medical issue. These groups are more likely to experience long-term stress and to work with providers who do not provide the same level of care, and are often less likely to have the money and time needed to get regular medical care. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your medical history and your family medical history so they can give you specific advice based on your personal level of risk.

What are the Warning Signs of Preeclampsia?

It can be hard to know if you have preeclampsia. Sometimes, high blood pressure is the only sign. This is why checking your blood pressure often and seeing your healthcare provider for check-ups are so important. You should also watch for the following warning signs:

• Bad headaches that last for more than a day

• Vision problems, for example, if everything looks blurry or if you are seeing spots

• Trouble breathing or breathing really fast

• Stomach or shoulder pain

• Vomiting or feeling sick to your stomach

• Swelling in your face, hands, or feet

• Sudden weight gain

What Should You Do if You Experience Warning Signs?

If any of these happen to you, call your healthcare provider. Do not wait for your next appointment. When you see your healthcare provider, they may take your blood pressure and test your blood and urine to see if you have preeclampsia or another health issue.

The Dangers of Missing Symptoms of Preeclampsia: Example Studies

Lucy's Headaches and Stomach Pains

Story: Lucy was 36 weeks pregnant when she started having painful headaches. She still had morning sickness that started in her first trimester. Since she was used to it, and since she often had headaches before pregnancy, Lucy thought everything was normal. After a week with a headache that would not go away, she began to see spots, so she called her doctor, who told her to come to the clinic as soon as possible. The doctor ran tests and told Lucy she had preeclampsia and would need to stay in the hospital and possibly deliver her baby early.

Lesson: Bad headaches and feeling sick to your stomach are both symptoms of preeclampsia. Because preeclampsia can quickly lead to serious complications, call your healthcare provider as soon as you have these problems.

Sofia's Sudden Weight Gain and Swelling

Case: Sofia was 30 weeks pregnant when she seemed to suddenly gain 10 pounds. Her feet were also swollen, but she thought everything was normal until her hands started swelling. When Sofia saw her doctor, tests showed she had preeclampsia. Her doctor said she would need to follow a special diet, check her blood pressure every day, and come back for weekly checkups.

Lesson: Some swelling and weight gain during pregnancy is normal, but it usually happens slowly, not all of a sudden. If you gain weight suddenly or if your hands and feet swell, call your healthcare provider.

What Can Happen if Preeclampsia is Not Treated?

Most of the time, preeclampsia is mild. But, if it is not treated, it can lead to serious problems, including:

Seizures or coma: Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, which involves seizures and in some cases coma. Your doctor might need to deliver your baby early to save you both.

Organ damage: Preeclampsia can damage your kidneys and liver and it can lead to heart problems or stroke.

HELLP syndrome: a rare but serious problem that can cause your organs to stop working and can cause heavy bleeding.

Placental problems: Preeclampsia can cause the placenta to detach from the wall of your womb, causing you to bleed heavily, or can prevent the placenta from getting the blood it needs, which can prevent your baby from growing the way it should.

Preterm birth: Preeclampsia can lead to preterm births—births before the 37th week of pregnancy.

Long-term health problems: You may be at risk of long-term high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke and your baby may have problems growing for many years.

Is Preeclampsia Preventable?

There is no way to completely prevent preeclampsia, but there are ways to lower your risk:

• Understand the risk factors and talk to your healthcare provider about any risk factors that you have.

• Check your blood pressure every day and watch for the warning signs. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any.

• Do not miss your prenatal appointments.

• Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can stay healthy, including by eating well, exercising regularly, and taking any medication that can help.

How Can BobiHealth Help?

With BobiHealth, you can track kick counts and weight gain, but you can also track other key health information that can help you spot the signs of preeclampsia early, such as:

Blood pressure: High blood pressure during pregnancy is the first sign of preeclampsia. Blood oxygen levels: Low blood oxygen is a sign that something is wrong, and that could mean preeclampsia. Breath Rate: If you have trouble breathing, you may have preeclampsia. Other symptoms: Headaches, stomach pains, and swelling are all possible signs.

The app will remind you to track these health signs and symptoms every day. If the app finds that something does not look right, it will alert you to call your healthcare provider, and you can share information from the app with your doctor. This is especially helpful for those who may not be able to see their healthcare provider easily.

Take Care of Yourself and Your Baby Today

Preeclampsia is serious—but you can keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy. Know your risk, watch for warning signs, and talk to your healthcare provider about any and all concerns you have. Download the BobiHealth App now and start tracking your health today.

Useful Terms

To explore more definitions of medical terminology that may come up during your care, check out the comprehensive BobiHealth Glossary.

Coma: a medical emergency when a person loses consciousness and does not respond. Diabetes: occurs when your body does not process sugar the right way. Eclampsia: a complication of preeclampsia that involves seizures. High blood pressure: happens when your blood pushes too hard against the walls of your blood vessels. In vitro fertilization (IVF): combining an egg and sperm in a lab to create an embryo placed back in the womb. Preeclampsia: happens when your blood pressure is too high and can lead to dangerous complications. Prenatal: the time when a person is pregnant, before they give birth. Preterm birth: a birth before the 37th week of pregnancy. Stroke: a medical emergency when the blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain is blocked or bursts. Trimester: three months; used to divide a pregnancy into three parts.