WHAT IS PREECLAMPSIA: RISK FACTORS, SYMPTOMS, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

During pregnancy, there is the possibility of presenting certain complications, including hypertension. This disease, which is characterized by having the high blood pressure It may be present before pregnancy, but it can also appear because of it, although this does not happen frequently.

In pregnancy, it is extremely important to keep track of blood pressure, since not doing so, it could increase without us noticing and in the most severe cases, developing preeclampsia, a condition that can put a mother's life at risk and baby. We tell you what is preeclampsia, from its symptoms, to its prevention and treatment.

What is preeclampsia?

As we mentioned at the beginning, preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, that if it is not detected in time, it could have serious consequences for both the mother and the baby.

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According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), among all hypertensive states of pregnancy, preeclampsia, like eclampsia, stands out as one of the main causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

The reason why preeclampsia is so dangerous is because it can cause a serious reduction in blood flow that reaches the baby, preventing the blood supply to certain areas of the placenta. If it stops working properly, it can put the baby in danger, and the mother could suffer serious damage such as kidney or liver problems and blood clotting, among others.

This complication of pregnancy usually appears or begins after week 20, although in many cases it does not become apparent until the third trimester and sometimes, it can also occur after delivery. It is estimated that worldwide approximately 10% of pregnant women suffer This type of hypertensive complications.

Causes of preeclampsia

It is not known exactly what causes preeclampsia and there are several possibilities that could be the cause, such as a vitamin deficiency or something of a genetic nature. But nevertheless, certain risk factors have been detected that increase the likelihood of its occurrence, among which are the following:

Having had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy.
Having a multiple pregnancy
Having high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease or having an autoimmune disease.

Other risk factors, which are not as tall as the previous ones but could also influence, are:

Let it be your first pregnancy or more than 10 years have passed since you had a baby.
Suffer from obesity
That other people in your family, such as a mother or sisters, have had preeclampsia.
Having had a previous pregnancy with complications.
Having undergone in vitro fertilization.
Be 35 years of age or older.

In addition to these risk factors, some studies have found some things that could also increase the risk of blood pressure problems during pregnancy, such as migraine or little sleep.

Another study found that the possibility of suffering preeclampsia is greater in women who expect a girl, due to a gene called spermine, whose levels are usually higher in pregnancies in which a girl is expected and that is related to preeclampsia.

Symptoms of preeclampsia

As I said at the beginning, preeclampsia usually develops in the 20th week of pregnancy, but in most cases it goes unnoticed for a while and is detected until the last trimester. Between the main symptoms of preeclampsia The following are found:

High blood pressure.
Present protein in the urine.
Eye problems, such as blurred vision, twinkling lights, seeing points or being sensitive to light.
Nausea, vomiting or dizziness.
Severe headaches that do not seem to diminish or disappear.
Pain in the right side, under the ribs or in the right shoulder.
Rapid and sudden weight gain.
Not feeling the need to urinate frequently.
Edema or swelling in legs, hands, face and / or ankles.
Difficulty breathing.

Prevention and treatment

Although its cause is unknown, several studies have been carried out to try to prevent the appearance of preeclampsia, through which it has been discovered that eating chocolate, eating a diet rich in fiber or consuming calcium or Omega 3, could help reduce the risk of presenting it.

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According to WHO information: the only definitive treatment for preeclampsia is the voluntary termination of pregnancy, the birth of the fetus and the expulsion of the placenta. Delaying the termination of pregnancy could lead to the progression of preeclampsia, which will eventually lead to placental insufficiency and maternal organic dysfunction, disorders that are clearly associated with an increased risk of maternal and perinatal mortality.

Thus, it is important to detect preeclampsia in time, so that this is controlled and depending on its severity your doctor will give you directions to know if you can continue with your pregnancy at home, if you will have to remain admitted to the hospital under medical supervision or if it will be necessary to advance the delivery, the latter being an option for those already in the 37th week of pregnancy.

If in doubt consult your doctor

Some of the symptoms of preeclampsia They can be confused with other discomforts of pregnancy, so they could go unnoticed at first. If you have a history of high blood pressure, suffer from diabetes or kidney disease, or get one or more of the above mentioned symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

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