Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia


Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. When your blood pressure is high, and protein is present in the urine, it is known as preeclampsia. Those who have high blood pressure before they are pregnant or early in pregnancy can also develop preeclampsia. 

Preeclampsia can be harmful to both you and your baby

  • Your baby may not grow well because your body is not able to supply enough food or oxygen. 
  • Your baby may need to be delivered early.
  • The placenta can separate from the uterus before birth, causing heavy bleeding.
  • If preeclampsia is severe, it can lead to a stroke, heart attack, damage to your organs, seizure (eclampsia), or death.

While preeclampsia is a concern, most people will have a healthy baby if it is managed. Usually  preeclampsia goes away on its own within a few days after childbirth. In rare cases, it can take 6 weeks or more for it to go away.

Causes of preeclampsia

The cause of preeclampsia is not known, but there are known risk factors. Risk factors for preeclampsia include:

  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Chronic high blood pressure
  • Kidney disease
  • Being African American
  • Expecting 2 or more babies
  • First pregnancy
  • First pregnancy with a new partner
  • Mothers and/or sisters had the disease
  • Had preeclampsia with a past pregnancy
  • Being age 17 or younger, or 35 and older 

Signs of preeclampsia

  • Not producing as much urine
  • Sudden swelling in your face or hands
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Severe headaches
  • Changes in your vision
  • Pain in your shoulder or upper abdomen, usually under the ribs on your right side
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Severe heartburn 

If you are at risk, but do not yet have preeclampsia:

  • Be sure to keep all your appointments, so your health care provider can monitor your health.
  • If you are at risk for preeclampsia, your doctor may ask you to take 1 baby aspirin per day.
  • If you have a history of high blood pressure, you may be given medicine to lower your blood pressure.

Managing preeclampsia

  • You will be asked to check your blood pressure at home at least once a day and record it.
  • You will do daily fetal movement counts. Your health care provider will show you how to do this.
  • You may have ultrasound(s) and other fetal monitoring.
  • You may have blood tests to check your kidney and liver functions
  • You may need to collect your urine for 24 hours to watch for protein in your urine.

If preeclampsia continues to become worse, the doctor may suggest that you deliver your baby early. If your baby needs to be delivered early, you may get medicine to help your baby’s lungs mature before delivery. You may also be given medicine through an IV in the hospital to lower your risk of seizures.

How blood pressure is measured

When your blood pressure is checked, 2 numbers are recorded. The top number is called the systolic. It is the pressure in the arteries each time the blood is pushed out of the heart. The bottom number is called the diastolic. It is the resting pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. The harder it is for blood to flow through the arteries, the higher the blood pressure numbers will be.

Checking blood pressure at home

  • You can buy home blood pressure monitors at local pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online. Your health care provider may also know of other options.  
  • Ask your pharmacist or health care provider how to operate your blood pressure cuff.

How to take your blood pressure

  • Sit in a comfortable position for 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
  • Push your sleeve up and lay your arm on a table with your palm up. If your clothes are too tight around your arm, take your shirt or blouse off before checking your blood pressure.
  • Wrap the cuff around your upper arm just above the elbow. Make sure the lower end of the cuff is about 1 inch above your elbow. The cuff should be snug around your arm.
  • Take your blood pressure and record it on the blood pressure log. You may print a copy of the log by visiting go.osu.edu/pted893.

Call your health care provider, go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911 right away if:

  • You have severe pain in your abdomen or shoulder, or both.
  • You have shortness of breath.
  • You have chest pain.
  • You have severe headaches.
  • You are having new vision problems, such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots.
  • Your top number of your blood pressure is higher than 160 or the bottom number is higher than 110.
  • You start having nausea or vomiting that is new for you.
  • You have sudden swelling of your face or hands, or both.
  • You have seizure-like twitching or convulsing.

After delivery

  • If you have had moderate to severe preeclampsia you may be given magnesium through an IV for 24 hours after delivery.  
  • If your blood pressure is high after delivery, you may be sent home on blood pressure medicine. 
  • If you have had problems with your blood pressure before pregnancy, during your pregnancy, or in the hospital after delivery, you will be asked to monitor your symptoms and your blood pressure after going home. Your health care provider will have you follow up with them within a week after delivery. 
  • Preeclampsia can also happen up to 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. If you have been at risk for preeclampsia and do not feel well, contact your health care provider right away. Do not wait until your visit to be seen.
  • You may be at risk for developing preeclampsia with future pregnancies.
  • Having preeclampsia puts you at higher risk of having heart disease later on. Tell your health care provider about your history of preeclampsia when you go for annual checkups. Because heart disease takes years to develop, you can work with your health care provider to monitor the health of your heart and blood vessels.

© 2002 – April 18, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.