Pre-eclampsia: What it is and Why It's Important to Know the Signs
- spiritualbirthdoul
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
If you're anything like me, as soon as I hear about something, you want to research all about it because you're curious. Before you know it however, you've gone down the Dr. Google rabbit hole and end up with more anxiety than you did before. As a doula, it's my job to do the research and give you the facts so you don't end up with an unnecessary feeling of impending doom.
In this post, I go over what pre-eclampsia is, the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia, the risks associated with it, treatment if you're diagnosed, and how to mentally prepare for your birth while still getting the most out of your birth experience.
(Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. If you believe you might have these symptoms, contact your medical provider immediately. I cannot diagnose individuals and the purpose of this post is solely informational.)
What is pre-eclampsia and how is it diagnosed?
Pre-eclampsia is a high blood pressure disorder that affects pregnant women and typically is diagnosed around or after 20 weeks gestation. It is diagnosed based with the onset of hypertension (excess swelling in the face and hands), high protein count in your urine (proteinuria), which may also include symptoms of severe headaches, spots in vision or other disturbances (blurred vision), nausea and vomiting after the first trimester, and upper abdominal pain. Swelling in the feet and hands are usually not generally concerning during pregnancy but when accompanied by high blood pressure is when providers start to monitor more closely. Symptoms vary significantly among those diagnosed. Some women don't develop symptoms until much later in their pregnancies.
Who is more at risk of developing pre-eclampsia?
The women more at risk for developing pre-eclampsia include:
first time pregnancies
pregnancy of multiples (twins, triplets, etc)
women with a BMI of 30 or higher
pre-existing conditions of hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease
women with a family history of pre-eclampsia
Now, just because you have one or more of these risks does NOT mean you WILL develop pre-eclampsia. There still isn't much data available as to why pre-eclampsia happens so these are what OBGYNs and midwives look out for so they can make the best care plan for you and your baby.
What are the complications of pre-eclampsia?
If pre-eclampsia is left untreated it can lead to serious complications not only for the mother but also baby. They include:
eclampsia (seizures)
HELLP syndrome (elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count, and hemolysis)
organ damage to the kidneys, liver, and brain
placenta abruption (placenta separates from the uterus)
preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
fetal growth restrictions
maternal and fetal death
What are the treatments & management for pre-eclampsia?
Once diagnosed with pre-eclampsia your provider may offer a few things to help manage pre-eclampsia and prepare your and baby's bodies for birth include:
the administration of magnesium sulfate to help prevent seizures through an I.V.
antihypertensive medications to control blood pressure (common ones include labetalol, nifedipine, and methyldopa shown to be safe during pregnancy)
corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturity if preterm delivery is anticipated and may improve maternal liver function, allowing for a safer delivery (common ones are betamethasone-most widely used for fetal lung maturity for severe pre-eclampsia, dexamethasone- also effective for fetal lung maturity and may be considered during 34-36 weeks gestation window if betamethasone hasn't been used, and prednisolone-less commonly used)
and closely monitor mother and baby health with non-stress tests (hooked up to a fetal monitor to monitor contractions, fetal heartbeat, and may include maternal blood pressure and urine monitoring)
Can I prevent developing pre-eclampsia?
Unfortunately, there are no guaranteed ways to prevent it from developing. That being said there are some preventative measures you can take to catch pre-eclampsia early with regular testing and monitoring for symptoms. Your provider might also advise a low dose aspirin if you feel comfortable taking it before symptoms appear.
How can I prepare for my birth with pre-eclampsia?
Knowing the complications and treatments aren't meant to scare you. They're to help you make well informed decisions about your birth as it's important to know the "why" behind the treatments and management your doctors or midwives will suggest. Unfortunately, being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia means you will not qualify for a homebirth in case of the worst-case scenario of seizures or other complications arising. You will most likely have a hospital birth, as disappointing as it will be to some who have planned a homebirth. That doesn't mean you still can't get the most out of your birth experience.
With my doula clients, we discuss birth preferences vs a birth plan. This is to help you make informed decisions now before labor & birth begins and focus more on what you want to get out of your birth. Some women want to feel empowered during their birth. They want to call the shots and feel heard in their decisions. Others choose wanting a peaceful environment to give birth in. So, we focus on the atmosphere if the birth like low lighting, maybe flameless candles, birth sayings, etc. Focusing on what we can control in the moment can help us get the best out of our birthing experiences. I also recommend having a doula for your birth even more so with pre-eclampsia to help you express your birth preferences with the hospital staff, help you stay informed during every step, and for emotional support as sometimes hidden emotions can make themselves known during such a vulnerable time.
That said, you're allowed to feel upset or disappointed in not getting the birth experience you hoped for. Postpartum can be hard after pre-eclampsia for some. Some women still experience hypertension after birth and need longer monitoring. If you gave birth pre-term, your baby may have to be in in the NICU for a while, and it may take more effort to get your milk to come in depending on how pre-term the birth was. Postpartum doulas can help you navigate these hard times and can help get you resources to help you succeed, like therapists or lactation consultants.
No matter if you're reading this because you've been diagnosed or just curious, knowledge is power. Knowing what signs and symptoms to look for can help you or someone you love, and knowing the "whats" and "whys" can help put anxiety at ease so you can be confident in your choices.
What do you want to read about next in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? Let me know in the comments below!
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