What is Preeclampsia in Pregnancy and Pregnancy Complications

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Preeclampsia in pregnancy is a serious disorder that affects around 5% of women. Typically, a diagnosis of preeclampsia comes after you have protein in your urine after 20 weeks as well as high blood pressure. The condition is most likely to occur after you’ve reached 37 weeks, although it can also show up any time after 20 weeks. Preeclampsia in pregnancy may even occur during labor or shortly after delivery. This disorder ranges from mild to severe, and it may progress slowly or quickly. Depending on your diagnosis, preeclampsia in pregnancy may even have complications that can affect you and your baby.

Pregnancy Complications from Mild Preeclampsia
Of course, the pregnancy complications you’re at risk for depend on how serious your preeclampsia is and how soon it develops. The more severe the case and the earlier it appears, the greater the risks for both you and your child. Fortunately, most women who develop preeclampsia in pregnancy do so very near their due date and have no serious pregnancy complications. Common complications for mild preeclampsia include swelling of your feet, water retention, puffiness in your face and rapid weight gain.

Pregnancy Complications from Moderate to Severe Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia causes your blood vessels to constrict, which brings high blood pressure and lowered blood flow to your organs. If less blood is flowing to your uterus, it can cause complications for your baby, including placental abruption, too little amniotic fluid and poor growth. If your doctor decides to deliver your baby early because of severe preeclampsia, your baby may also suffer from effects of prematurity. Preeclampsia in pregnancy can also cause blood vessels in your kidneys to leak, which causes protein to leak into the urine.

Serious Pregnancy Complications
There are also some less common pregnancy complications due to preeclampsia. Some women develop HELLP syndrome, which stands for Hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets. This puts both you and your child at increased risks of serious problems. Preeclampsia in pregnancy can also lead to eclampsia, or seizures. Eclampsia is usually preceded by a range of symptoms, including persistent headaches, vision changes, confusion, upper abdominal pain and nausea.