What to Know About Pre-Eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed when you have high blood pressure, combined with protein in your urine, after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Your provider may also do blood work to confirm this diagnosis. Additionally, you may experience headaches and swelling. Pre-eclampsia is very serious and needs to be treated by your care provider. Here is what to expect if you are diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.

The only way to get rid of the pre-eclampsia is to have your baby. Your provider will be weighing risks and benefits of an induction or scheduled C-section if you have pre-eclampsia.While they would like for your baby to develop in utero as long as possible, it may become safer to deliver the baby several weeks before your due date. If your blood pressure is 160/110 or higher your provider will likely want you to have the baby within 24 hours. If you are 36 weeks pregnant or less, your provider will likely give you a steroid shot to help your baby’s lungs develop more quickly. If your blood pressure is elevated but not in the severe range, your provider may be ok with frequently monitoring you at their office. They will monitor your blood pressure, assess your swelling, and continue to do lab work.

An induction with a pre-eclampsia diagnosis mostly follows regular induction protocols but with a much higher level of monitoring. Your blood pressure will likely be monitored every 15 minutes during the induction and for some time after your baby is born. Your provider may also order bloodwork during your induction to monitor your platelet counts. If your blood pressure is continuing to increase, your provider may start an IV drip of magnesium sulfate in an effort to help lower your blood pressure and prevent seizures. You will likely have to stay in the hospital bed if you are given magnesium. Magnesium can make you feel dizzy and the hospital will consider you a fall risk. Magnesium can also make you feel very hot so having fan and a cold washcloth on hand can be very helpful. Typically you will continue to have the magnesium drip for several hours after delivery and will likely have to stay in a labor and delivery room until you are taken off of the magnesium.

If your platelet count is high enough, your care provider may encourage you to get an epidural. Sometimes the placement of an epidural can drop your blood pressure. Having a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia may put you at higher risk of needing to have a Cesarean birth. If you have the epidural already in place, your provider can get you in the OR and get your baby out more quickly in an emergency situation.

After your baby is born, your provider will continue to monitor your blood pressure and platelet levels until you are discharged from the hospital.

Your care provider will want to continue to monitor your blood pressure for a few weeks after you have your baby. They may recommend that you take blood pressure medication. You would need to call your provider right away if you experience blurry vision, a severe headache, intense swelling, or pain in your shoulder or abdomen. Your provider may also refer you to a cardiologist as you will be at higher risk for heart attacks or stroke. In future pregnancies, your provider will likely recommend that you take baby aspirin throughout your pregnancy to help prevent high blood pressure.

While pre-eclampsia is a very serious pregnancy complication, your provider will act quickly to keep you and your baby safe.