Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy. The causes of pre-eclampsia are unknown.

Five percent of all women develop pre-eclampsia, and the risk is higher for first-time mothers. The symptoms can occur from the 20th week of pregnancy, but in most cases, pre-eclamspia does not develop until later in the pregnancy. There is nothing you can do to avoid pre-eclampsia. The condition will go away on its own after delivery.

Symptoms of pre-eclampsia

The most common symptoms of pre-eclampsia are:

• Severe and prolonged headaches.
• A flickering in front of your eyes and changes to your field of vision.
• Chest pain and possibly nausea, vomiting and pain in the upper part of your stomach, often in the right-hand side.
• Discomfort without signs of fever.
• Significant fluid build-up in your body over a few days. It is normal for your body to retain fluids during pregnancy. If you do not have any other symptoms and there is no protein in your urine and your blood pressure is normal, then the fluid retention is not caused by pre-eclampsia.

If you develop one or more of these symptoms, contact Akutmodtagelse for gravide (emergency admissions for pregnant women), section 346. The telephone number can be found under ‘Contact’.

How pre-eclampsia is diagnosed

At each midwife appointment, your blood pressure is measured and your urine is analysed. High blood pressure and protein in your urine can indicate pre-eclampsia.

If you are showing signs of pre-eclampsia, you will have to have blood tests taken to see how the condition is affecting your body. We will then make a plan for your treatment during the rest of the pregnancy, so we can monitor you and your baby closely.

Impact on your pregnancy

In very rare cases, pre-eclampsia can seriously affect your liver, kidneys and circulation. In the rarest of cases, pre-eclampsia may lead to fits. In these cases it might be necessary to induce labour or carry out a caesarean section. Treatment will depend on the severity of pre-eclampsia and when the condition is diagnosed during pregnancy.

Rest

If you have pre-eclampsia, the most important treatment is rest. It also recommended that you talk to your general practitioner about going on sick leave. This will often help lower your blood pressure.

Check-ups

You will be offered frequent check-ups during your pregnancy, usually 1-2 times a week. In many cases, we will monitor you and your baby through measurements you take at home and then send to us.

Medical treatment of high blood pressure

It might be necessary to admit you to hospital for a brief period so you can receive medical treatment to lower your blood pressure. In very severe cases of pre-eclampsia, you might need to take medication to prevent fits, and it might be necessary to induce labour or carry out a caesarean section.

Induction or caesarean section

We recommend that you give birth no later the weeks 37-38 of pregnancy. Together with you, we will assess whether labour should be induced or if a caesarean section is necessary. If there is a risk of the baby being born before the 35th week of pregnancy, you will be offered treatment with adrenocortical hormone to mature the baby’s lungs.

How pre-eclampsia affects the baby

Affected growth

Pre-eclampsia can result in the baby growing more slowly in the womb than normal. If the baby is small, we will draw up a plan for the remainder of your pregnancy and delivery.

After giving birth

Pre-eclampsia and future pregnancies

There is a risk that you will develop pre-eclampsia again during your next pregnancy. The pre-eclampsia will usually develop later in the pregnancy and be less severe.

If you had severe pre-eclampsia, you will be invited to a consultation with an obstetrician during your next pregnancy, and we will recommend taking blood-thinners (acetylsalicylic acid) from around the 12th week of pregnancy, sometimes earlier.

High blood pressure

Pre-eclampsia puts you at risk of high blood pressure for the rest of your life. We recommend that you have your blood pressure tested once a year by your general practitioner.

Heart disease

A pregnancy with pre-eclampsia increases the risk of developing heart disease later in life. Speak to your general practitioner about the symptoms you should be aware of. We recommend having your blood pressure and weight checked 6 months after giving birth and talking to your general practitioner about a healthy lifestyle.