Pre-eclampsia: High-risk pregnancy is a general term used to describe several health conditions that can complicate pregnancy. These conditions can occur in any pregnancy; first, second, or third. A woman may have these conditions before pregnancy or they may develop during pregnancy.
Common high-risk conditions include:
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Diabetes
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Hypertension
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Pre-eclampsia
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Obesity
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Sickle cell disease
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Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
FOCUS OF TODAY: PRE-ECLAMPSIA
Many people, especially outside the medical field, have never heard of pre-eclampsia. My recent conversation with my sisters in the BUD Family confirmed this. So, it is important to make this knowledge open and understandable; for women and men.
Note: Pregnancy age is medically counted in weeks, but most people use months. In this write-up, months are used for easier understanding.
WHAT IS PRE-ECLAMPSIA?
Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition under high-risk pregnancies. It is one of the leading causes of death of mothers and unborn babies, especially in Nigeria. Sadly, many women do not receive proper education about it, even at antenatal clinics.
A real example: I once cared for a woman who waited 9 years to conceive. She developed pre-eclampsia, but the clinic she attended did not detect it early. At 36 weeks (8 months), she lost the baby. It was heartbreaking.
In simple terms:
Pre-eclampsia means hypertension during pregnancy. The woman did not have high blood pressure before pregnancy, pregnancy triggered it.
Also Read: Stay Away From Fad Diet
CAUSES
The exact cause is unknown, but experts believe:
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It begins when the placenta (the baby’s nutrient organ) does not function properly.
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Normally, the placenta is supplied by healthy, wide blood vessels.
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In pre-eclampsia, the blood vessels are narrow and abnormal, making it hard for blood to flow.
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Because of this poor flow, the mother’s body raises her blood pressure to force more blood to the placenta.
Risk Factors include:
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Obesity
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Family history of hypertension
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High blood pressure before pregnancy
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Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
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Race (more common in Black women)
DIAGNOSIS
Pre-eclampsia can often be detected as early as 20 weeks (around 5 months of pregnancy).
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
A pregnant woman may have:
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Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or above, on 2–3 consecutive checks
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Protein in the urine (detected at the hospital)
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Severe headaches
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Blurry vision
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Swelling of the feet, face, or hands
(Note: Some swelling is normal in late pregnancy, but severe or sudden swelling is not.)
TREATMENT
Once pre-eclampsia is diagnosed, immediate and proper medical care is required.
Hospital treatment usually includes:
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Magnesium sulphate (to prevent seizures)
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Antihypertensive medications
(To be taken strictly as prescribed)
The only cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby, depending on:
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The baby’s age (gestational age)
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Baby’s wellbeing
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Severity of the condition
PROGNOSIS (OUTCOME)
Most pregnancies with pre-eclampsia do not reach full term.
To save the mother and baby, delivery often occurs at:
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34–36 weeks (7–8 months), or
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Even earlier in severe cases
Delivery may be through:
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Induction of labour, or
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Emergency Caesarean section
(depending on the condition of mother and baby)
COMPLICATIONS
If not treated early, pre-eclampsia can lead to:
1. Eclampsia
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Seizures (convulsions)
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Loss of consciousness
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Can lead to death of mother and baby
2. Placental Abruption
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Placenta detaches from the womb wall
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Baby receives little or no oxygen
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Often leads to stillbirth
3. Prematurity
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Baby is delivered early to save both lives
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Baby may need care in NICU or Special Care Baby Unit
IMPORTANT NOTE
Get to know your baseline blood pressure.
Normal average is 120/80 mmHg, but healthy ranges differ between individuals
(e.g., 90/60 mmHg – 130/70 mmHg).
Pregnant women are encouraged to own a digital blood pressure monitor.
Early detection saves lives.
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