Preeclampsia and eclampsia
What is Preeclampsia and eclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It causes high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, most often the liver and kidneys. The condition affects about 5 to 8 percent of all pregnancies worldwide.
Eclampsia is a severe form of preeclampsia that causes seizures. It happens when preeclampsia is not treated or controlled properly. Both conditions can be life-threatening for mother and baby if not caught early and managed carefully.
These conditions happen when blood vessels in the placenta don't develop or function properly. This affects how blood reaches the baby and causes problems throughout the mother's body. Early detection through regular prenatal care and blood testing can help protect both mother and baby.
Symptoms
Many women with early preeclampsia have no obvious symptoms. That's why regular prenatal checkups are so important. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- High blood pressure, typically 140/90 or higher
- Protein in the urine
- Severe headaches that don't go away
- Changes in vision, including blurred vision or seeing spots
- Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
- Nausea or vomiting after mid-pregnancy
- Sudden weight gain and swelling, especially in the face and hands
- Decreased urine output
- Shortness of breath caused by fluid in the lungs
Eclampsia adds seizures to these symptoms. Some women develop preeclampsia without obvious warning signs, which is why routine screening is essential.
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Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of preeclampsia remains unknown. Researchers believe it starts when blood vessels in the placenta don't develop properly. This may happen due to immune system problems, insufficient blood flow to the uterus, or genetic factors. Risk factors include first-time pregnancy, previous preeclampsia, chronic high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, being under 20 or over 40 years old, and carrying multiples.
Other risk factors include lupus or other autoimmune disorders, family history of preeclampsia, and pregnancies spaced less than 2 years or more than 10 years apart. African American women face higher risk than other groups. Low magnesium levels may also play a role in the development of preeclampsia and eclampsia.
How it's diagnosed
Healthcare providers diagnose preeclampsia through regular prenatal visits that include blood pressure checks and urine tests. Blood tests help assess kidney and liver function, platelet counts, and important nutrients like magnesium. Low magnesium levels are associated with higher risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Rite Aid offers magnesium testing as part of our preventive health panel. Regular monitoring helps catch warning signs early. Your doctor may also order additional tests like ultrasounds to check baby's growth and amniotic fluid levels, or fetal monitoring to track baby's heart rate.
Treatment options
- Delivery of the baby is the only cure for preeclampsia, but timing depends on severity and how far along the pregnancy is
- Magnesium sulfate given through an IV to prevent seizures in women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia
- Blood pressure medications to lower dangerously high readings
- Corticosteroids to help baby's lungs mature if early delivery is needed
- Bed rest at home or in the hospital, depending on severity
- Close monitoring of mother and baby with frequent checkups and testing
- Adequate calcium intake during pregnancy may help reduce risk
- Low-dose aspirin starting in early pregnancy for high-risk women, as recommended by a doctor
- Healthy weight management and treatment of chronic conditions before pregnancy
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- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
There is no guaranteed way to prevent preeclampsia. However, certain steps may lower risk. Low-dose aspirin starting before 16 weeks of pregnancy helps high-risk women. Adequate calcium intake and maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy also help reduce risk.
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy with signs of organ damage. Eclampsia is when preeclampsia progresses to cause seizures. Eclampsia is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Proper management of preeclampsia helps prevent it from progressing to eclampsia.
Low magnesium levels have been linked to higher risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate is the medication of choice to prevent and treat seizures in women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia. It works by calming the nervous system and protecting brain function during these dangerous complications.
Most symptoms of preeclampsia improve within 48 hours after delivery. However, some women continue to have high blood pressure for several weeks after giving birth. Rarely, preeclampsia can develop for the first time in the days following delivery. All women need close monitoring during the postpartum period.
Yes, many women who had preeclampsia go on to have healthy pregnancies. However, having preeclampsia once increases your risk of developing it again in future pregnancies. Close monitoring from early pregnancy, healthy lifestyle habits, and sometimes preventive low-dose aspirin can help manage risk in subsequent pregnancies.
Preeclampsia can restrict blood flow to the placenta, which may slow baby's growth or cause low birth weight. Severe cases may require early delivery, which brings risks of prematurity. However, with proper monitoring and treatment, most babies born to mothers with preeclampsia do well.
Standard prenatal care includes blood pressure and urine checks at every visit. Women at higher risk may need more frequent monitoring. Blood tests to check organ function and magnesium levels may be ordered if preeclampsia is suspected. Your healthcare provider will determine the right testing schedule based on your individual risk factors.
Women who have had preeclampsia face higher lifetime risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. They are also more likely to develop high blood pressure and diabetes later in life. Regular health screenings and maintaining a healthy lifestyle after pregnancy are important for long-term health.
True preeclampsia rarely develops before 20 weeks. When high blood pressure occurs earlier, it is usually chronic hypertension that existed before pregnancy. However, women with chronic high blood pressure can develop superimposed preeclampsia later in pregnancy, which makes their condition more serious.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements during pregnancy. While adequate magnesium is important, supplementation should only happen under medical supervision. Your doctor can test your magnesium levels and recommend the right approach. Getting magnesium from food sources like leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains is generally safe.