There are many joys that come with being in the family way.
Unfortunately, there are also certain complications that may strike until your
baby is delivered. One of the most serious pregnancy-related issues is what
doctors refer to as preeclampsia. This article will discuss some of the most
important matters about it.
So if you are pregnant, make sure that you keep on reading. Feel
free to share this article later on most especially if you have female friends
who also have buns in their ovens.
Overview
In a nutshell, preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that
is characterized by high blood pressure or hypertension. The blood pressure is
regarded as high if it’s constantly above 120/80 mmHg.
Because high blood pressure that’s left unmanaged properly can
wreak havoc on the blood vessels, preeclampsia also involves damage to the
vital organs. According to health authorities, the liver and kidneys are
usually the organs that get damaged first if preeclampsia is not put under
control.
It’s important to deal with preeclampsia right away not only to
prevent damage to some of the organs, but also keep the pregnant woman and the
growing baby in her womb out of harm’s way.
The best way to sort out preeclampsia is to have the baby
delivered. Unfortunately, it’s not a viable solution especially if the baby is
not mature enough to be delivered. The intake of medications for lowering the
blood pressure and also frequent prenatal visits as well as regular tests can
help in keeping complications from striking.
Causes
There are various things that can cause preeclampsia to come
into being. Doctors say that the problem has something to do with the placenta,
something that provides nourishment to the baby until it is delivered.
In order for the pregnant woman’s body to be able to send
nutrients and oxygen to the placenta, new blood vessels have to form.
Unfortunately, sometimes these blood vessels do not develop properly. In some
instances, they are narrower than they should be. It’s due to this reason why
the blood pressure may rise.
Having high blood pressure or being hypertensive even before
being in the family way is also something that can be blamed for preeclampsia.
Needless to say, you are at risk of suffering from preeclampsia if you have
high blood pressure to begin with.
Risk Factors
Aside from being diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are
many other preeclampsia risk factors, or things that can increase the
likelihood of pregnant woman to develop preeclampsia.
Doctors say that preeclampsia tends to run in families. This
only means that you may suffer from it if you have female relatives who had it
while they were pregnant. Is this your first time to get pregnant? Then it’s
possible for you to have preeclampsia. Experts confirm that preeclampsia risk
is higher during a woman’s first pregnancy.
Other common risk factors for preeclampsia include: being obese
or overweight, being very young or being older than 40, multiple pregnancies
(carrying twins or triplets or other multiples), and having a history of
certain medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and lupus.
Symptoms
At the onset, preeclampsia dos not usually produce symptoms.
High blood pressure associated with it may develop gradually, although in some
cases it shows up out of the blue. It’s because of this exactly why the blood
pressure of a pregnant woman who is at high risk of preeclampsia should always
be monitored.
Swelling or edema especially in the hands and face may be
observed, although it’s important to note that it’s also something that can be
encountered by pregnant women who do not suffer from preeclampsia.
A few other common symptoms are: headaches, changes in vision,
nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and proteinuria or having excess protein
in the pee.
Source salaudmovil.com
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