Pregnancy: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia (cont.)
Does Swelling During Pregnancy Mean I Have Preeclampsia?
Some swelling is normal during pregnancy. However, if the swelling doesn't go away with rest and is accompanied by some of the above symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away.
How Can Preeclampsia Affect My Baby?
Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, which can cause your baby to be born very small. It is also one of the leading causes of premature births and the difficulties that can accompany them, including learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and hearing and vision problems.
How Is Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Treated?
The only real cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is the birth of the baby.
Mild preeclampsia (blood pressure greater than 140/90 that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation in a woman who did not have hypertension before; and/or having a small amount of protein in the urine can be managed with careful hospital or in-home observation along with activity restriction.
If the baby is pre-term, the condition can be managed until your baby can be safely delivered. Your health care provider may prescribe bed rest, hospitalization or medication to prolong the pregnancy and increase your unborn baby's chances of survival. If your baby is close to term, labor may be induced.
The treatment for more severe preeclampsia (having vision problems, lung problems, abdominal pain, fetal distress, or other signs and symptoms) may require more emergent treatment - delivery of the baby - irrespective of the baby's age.
Other treatments:
- Magnesium can be injected into the veins to prevent eclampsia-related seizures.
- Hydralazine or another antihypertensive drug to manage severe elevations of blood pressure.
- Monitoring fluid intake.
Reviewed by
The Cleveland Clinic Birthing Services and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
.
Source: The March of Dimes. Patients Up to Date
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD
Edited by Tracy C. Shuma, MD on November 01, 2005
Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2002
Last Editorial Review: 11/5/2007
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