How can I reduce the risks of pre-eclampsia?

Being pregnant can be an emotional roller coaster. You may be feeling excited about bringing a child into the world while worrying about potential complications during the pregnancy. It’s natural to be worried about these complications as they can impact your life drastically. One of the main problems you could face is pre-eclampsia, but what is it and how can you reduce the risks associated with it?

We’ve put together a detailed guide on the condition so you can feel prepared for your pregnancy and know how to reduce the impact it has on your life. Continue reading below to learn everything you need to know about pre-eclampsia.

What is pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia can affect pregnancy in the second half of a pregnancy or just after childbirth. This condition affects around 6% of pregnancies in the UK, showing just how prevalent it can be. If you suffer from this condition, it will cause your blood pressure to rise, which can have severe consequences if it isn’t swiftly dealt with.

What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?

You’ll know that this is a problem because your blood pressure will rise and protein will start to appear in your urine. Other symptoms that could indicate a problem include:

Severe headaches
Blurred or flashing vision
Pain in and around the ribs
Unexplainable vomiting
Swollen face, hands or feet

If you happen to experience these symptoms, medical attention may be needed. Call your local GP surgery, midwife or 111 if it isn’t urgent. However, if something seems wrong, don’t hesitate to call an ambulance.

What are the causes of pre-eclampsia?

There are, unfortunately, many causes of this condition. Some are avoidable but some are hereditary. These include:

Having diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure before you fell pregnant
Suffering from autoimmune conditions like lupus
Having high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy
A family history of the illness
Being over the age of 40
Having a 10 year gap between pregnancies
Expecting two or more babies
Having a BMI of 35 or more.

How can I reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia?

Fortunately, there are some ways you can reduce the risk and treat this condition, such as:

Losing weight
Controlling your blood pressure and sugar
Regularly exercising
Getting the recommended amount of sleep
Eating healthy, low-salt foods and avoiding caffeine

Can my pre-eclampsia be cured?

Unfortunately, the only cure for this condition is to give birth, which could lead to complications. As ever with medical complications, if something feels wrong or you’ve been injured due to poor care, you may have grounds to make a medical negligence claim. Contact specialists to tell them about your condition and they’ll let you know if you have a case.

We appreciate how stressful this time can be for new mothers but you shouldn’t suffer because of a medical professional’s misdeeds.

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