Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks) or soon after their baby is delivered.

Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia

Early signs of pre-eclampsia include having high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in your urine (proteinuria).

It is unlikely that you’ll notice these signs, but they should be picked up during your routine antenatal appointments.

In some cases, further symptoms can develop, including:

• Swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands caused by fluid retention
• Severe headache
• Vision problems
• Pain just below the ribs

If you notice any symptoms of pre-eclampsia, seek medical advice immediately.

Although many cases are mild, the condition can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby if it’s not monitored and treated. The earlier pre-eclampsia is diagnosed and monitored, the better the outlook for mother and baby.

Check out this link (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/) to read more about the causes of pre-eclampsia, the treatments and more.