Every pregnant mother should be aware of the signs of preeclampsia and how to prevent it. Take the necessary precautions and preventive actions. So that you will ensure having a safe maternal period. The delivery of your baby will be smooth.
Preeclampsia can cause abdominal pain, water retention, and organ malfunction. It can lead to pregnancy complications.
It is a must that pregnant mothers to know the signs of preeclampsia to address the issue on time. Preeclampsia health conditions may result in high blood pressure before delivery.
It can affect the organs such as the brain, kidney, liver, and placenta and abnormality in the child. Never take the symptoms for granted knowing the implications.
A survey was carried out in 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. It says that pregnancy-connected deaths are nearly 11%. Because of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy that includes preeclampsia. CDC statistics of 2009 indicate 42 births in every 1000 are affected. That is about 5 % of pregnancies.
So, it is good to know how to identify the signs of preeclampsia and address it immediately. Understanding, preventing, and detecting symptoms is very important. Treatment on time should be the goal for every pregnant mother.
Table of Contents
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is an illness that can occur during the last three months of pregnancy. It is a syndrome in pregnant women. It shows a rapid increase in blood pressure after they have reached the 20th week of pregnancy.
This illness may be fatal for the unborn baby and for the mother. It could cause long-term health issues for both.
As per the studies still, the doctors are not so clear on why this condition develops in pregnant women.
In the case of preeclampsia of signs and symptoms take immediate action. Reach out to the doctor and immediately have it diagnosed.
Untreated health condition increases the chances to have premature delivery of the baby. The complications at delivery are not predictable. It may result in the stillbirth of the baby. It is so important for pregnant mothers to take prevention measures always.
Symptoms and Signs of Preeclampsia
The Preeclampsia health condition causes complications for both the mother and child. These are the main signs of preeclampsia in pregnant mothers.
- An increase in Blood Pressure or hypertension
- Unusual development of the placenta
- An unusual increase in protein levels in the urine
- Swelling in feet, hands, and face
- Sudden weight gain within a shorter period of time
- Feeling pain in the abdomen or in the pelvis area.
- Parting of the uterus and placenta thereby insufficient or no supply of blood for the baby
- Feeling Dizziness
- Kind of morning sicknesses like vomiting or nausea
- Feeling fatigued
- Less urine
How preeclampsia affects unborn babies?
- Restriction of supply of blood with food, nutrients, and oxygen to the growing baby in the womb of the mother,
- High blood pressure affects the blood vessels of the placenta and uterus. It makes the blood vessels get narrowed down. It affects the free flow of blood. Impacts necessary food, nutrients, and oxygen to the baby through umbilical code.
- Baby growth gets slowed down resulting in an underweight baby which is in medical terms less than 2.5 Kg.
- Premature birth of the baby
- Nerve and neurological damage to the newborn baby
- Coming to know the disabilities as the newborn baby grows
- Hearing or vision problems
Symptoms of Eclampsia
- Repeated headaches
- The problem of clotting blood
- Seizures
- Increased muscle spasms and pain
- Bleedings in the liver
- Finding water in the lungs
- Weakening visuals
- Changes in liver enzymes
- Impact on the brain, kidney, and other organs
- Leading to Coma
- Risk for life
Preeclampsia after delivery disappears in pregnant mothers. Only in a few cases may continue to have blood pressure after delivery.
How to prevent Signs of Preeclampsia naturally
The possible way is only to lower the risks of developing preeclampsia. There are many ways to prevent preeclampsia or at least to lower the risks of developing it.
Live the lifestyle below to prevent preeclampsia with natural remedies.
1. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI)
Doctors and gynecologists always insist you prepare for pregnancy. Their main advice is to have the right body weight based on your height.
To achieve the right body weight take the correct nutrient-dense diet. Do regular workouts and a healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces your chances of developing any pregnancy complications. Preeclampsia causes have closer links to obesity, dieting, and unhealthy lifestyle.
2. Do Regular Exercise During Pregnancy
Regular exercise during pregnancy help to keep you out of stress. It maintains good body weight and controls any inflammation.
Exercise moderately with the advice of your gynecologist every day. This will make sure that you will have a complication-free easy delivery.
4. Preventing Dehydration and Fatigue
Drink a good amount of water to be hydrated well all the time. Control the sodium levels in your intake. Limit drinking of coffee, tea (caffeine), and alcoholic beverages.
Good sleep helps to lessen any stress and fatigue in your body. Do some relaxation efforts with soft exercises. It relieves fatigue, and stress and to feel good in your mind too.
3. Right Diet to maintain Blood Pressure Levels
Check with your gynecologist for the right diet. This is to maintain the right levels of blood pressure. Your gynecologist will tell you to have minerals, vitamins, and antioxidant food. This will be good planning and preparations to have a baby.
Mostly, doctors tell having potassium-rich food. Take less salt intake. Eat more fresh fruits to control hypertension. This is helpful to reduce the risks of developing preeclampsia and any heart issues.
Intake of fresh fruits provides your body with more potassium and electrolytes. Opt for leafy green vegetables, bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes.
Reduce the intake of junk foods, high-sugar drinks, snacks, and deep-fried foods.
Your daily diet should be with the right protein levels. Because high protein level in urine is one of the preeclampsia symptoms.
5. Doctor Visits for regular check-ups
Visit your doctor soon as you realize you are pregnant. Check for any preeclampsia risk factors or symptoms.
Request the doctor to check your protein levels in the urine. Check also the blood pressure level and they are normal.
Please leave your comments below on this article on preeclampsia. This will help pregnant mothers to take extra care and preventive action.