Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is a leading cause of premature birth and a major contributor to adverse maternal outcomes and maternal death. This May, the Preeclampsia Foundation, a US-based patient advocacy organization, is working to ensure that all expectant parents know that this condition can affect any person, in any pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms of Preeclampsia
The Foundation joins with leading maternal health partners each May to educate women on preeclampsia’s signs and symptoms during pregnancy, and make them aware that they are “still at risk” for postpartum preeclampsia following their baby’s delivery. Some common signs include:
- High blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swelling
- Headaches
- Lower back pain
- Sudden Weight Gain
- Change in Vision
- Shortness of breath, a racing pulse, mental confusion, or a heightened sense of anxiety
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if these symptoms are new. If you’ve experienced these conditions before pregnancy, be sure to mention them to your care provider during your next visit so they can be monitored closely.
Key Statistics About Preeclampsia
- Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) complicate 5-10% of all pregnancies worldwide. They include: preeclampsia (with or without severe features), eclampsia (seizures), HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets), and gestational hypertension.
- Preeclampsia is most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure, and death of the mother and/or baby.
- HDPs are a leading cause of maternal and infant death worldwide, with the majority of these deaths happening in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Approximately 76,000 women and 500,000 babies die each year worldwide.
- The United States currently ranks 47th worldwide for maternal mortality, and is the only industrialized nation with a rising maternal mortality rate
This condition occurs in about 1 in every 12 pregnancies in the United States, and affects women indiscriminately regardless of health, access to resources, race, or socioeconomic status. While there are known risk factors, including first time pregnancies, a personal or family history of high blood pressure, or having had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, the disorder also occurs in women with no risk factors.
Currently a cure for preeclampsia does not exist, so by being aware of signs and symptoms, pregnant women can be empowered to take their concerns to their healthcare providers and be more closely monitored to improve outcomes.
Oftentimes with preeclampsia survivors, the exasperation is that ‘I wish I had known the risks,’ or ‘I thought swollen hands was just a part of being pregnant.’
Results from our Patient Journey study illustrate the common stages experienced by women. This information allows us to better help them, their families and their healthcare providers achieve more positive outcomes, This study presented a unique opportunity to ‘map’ how patients who are diagnosed with preeclampsia move through the experience of diagnosis, management, treatment, and postpartum physical and mental recovery, The study aimed to identify common pain points across the shared patient experience that could then be used by healthcare providers to improve outcomes.
Throughout the month, survivors are encouraged to follow #anypregnancy and #preeclampsia and participate in social media events that include a series of online sessions with organizations who specialize in understanding the impact of preeclampsia. Additional patient and provider education resources and details on above events are available www.preeclampsia.org/awarenessmonth.
Our work will always be to find a cause and a cure. In the meantime, our greatest tool is education.
One Comment on “At Risk for Preeclampsia. Make Sure You Know the Signs”