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Signs of Preeclampsia
April 2, 2009 at 6:35 AM by Cafe Melisa - Comments (3)
I felt really lucky to have a pregnancy free of complications, but I know not all mamas do. One worry you read about in all of those pregnancy books and online is preeclampsia (or pregnancy-induced hypertension), a condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. It occurs in at least 5 - 8 percent of all pregnancies, and it poses a threat to both you and your baby.
Could you have it? Here are the signs to look for.
The condition doesn't usually affect women prone to the condition (these can include first-time moms, teen moms, women over 40, carrying multiples, or who already have high blood pressure) until after the 20th week of pregnancy.
-- high blood pressure
-- severe headaches
-- swelling
-- changes in vision
-- upper abdominal pain
-- nausea or vomiting
-- dizziness
-- decreased urine output
If you experience any of the above, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. And if you have general questions or concerns about preeclampsia, be sure to address them with your doc.
To connect with CafeMoms who are going through it, have been through it, or are dealing with other complications, check out:
Plus Size Pregnancy and Beyond
Do you have preeclampsia? How was it diagnosed and how has it affected your pregnancy?
FILED UNDER: 2nd trimester, complications, pregnancy health
Comments:
Oh, to answer your question. With Becka my doctor tried to diagnose me with pre-eclampsia. In fact her did, and I was induced. Looking at my records I had a very mild case and he never once mentioned diet changes, or what I could do to make sure I was healthy and deliver at term. I was 38 weeks when I was induced. The Irony of it is, my BP was stable the entire time I was induced. It stayed at 119/78. Never got high, nothing. The nurses couldn't understand why I was being induced.
I was uneducated, and know more this time. My bp has been normal, and I have minimal swelling. I eat better, not the best I should, but better. I take my vitamins along with a calcium/mag/zinc supplement and a vitamin b-6 capsule. I feel a lot healthier, and just great this pregnancy! Even though it's taken the same course as with Becka. I contribute being more educated to all of my great feelings!
I had very severe preeclampsia. And it wasn't because of my diet -- I was diagnosed with diabetes very very early in my pregnancy (so early they couldn't call it "gestational", per se) and I saw a nutritionist and ate better and more healthfully that I had in my life! And it literally happened almost overnight. All was well and then my BP shot up to almost 200/120, I gained about 30 pounds in fluid in a week's time, and if they had not done an emergency c-section at 27 weeks both my son and myself would have died.
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I would like to point out that pre-eclampsia is usually a diet issue. Many people who eat right will never develop pre-eclampsia and there are tons of things you can do IF you begin to develop the symptoms of it.
Ina May Gaskin, in the many births she attended on the Farm, saw only a handful of cases of Pre-Eclampsia, if that much. The women on the farm usually ate vegetarian diets, organic foods, well balanced meals, and had a low sodium intake (usually using natural sea salt: etc).
We are seeing more and more cases of pre-eclampsia and other health problems in pregnancy because a persons diet is terrible. The diet of people in this country, on average, is full of salt and sugar and artificial colorings/preservatives, etc.
Doctors aren't very good at the nutritional aspect, really, or herbal supplements/natural remedies. It's a lot easier for them to mention induction/cesarean then helping a women modify her diet.
celticreverie Apr. 2, 2009 at 4:09 PM