Regular medical care during pregnancy is always important. And pre-eclampsia is one more good reason to see your doctor on schedule. 
Pre-eclampsia is a serious problem. No one knows what causes it. And there is no one test to diagnose it. But your doctor can watch for its signs: high blood pressure and protein in the urine. 
Rarely, pre-eclampsia may lead to eclampsia. This condition may cause seizures or even death. 
Severe pre-eclampsia can lead to another problem. It's known as the HELLP syndrome. It affects liver and blood cells. And it can cause: 
<ul>
 <li>Nausea.</li>
 <li>Vomiting. </li>
 <li>Headache.</li>
 <li>Upper-right abdominal pain.</li>
</ul>
Pre-eclampsia can also keep baby from getting needed nutrients and oxygen. Possible complications are: 
<ul>
 <li>Low birth weight. </li>
 <li>Premature birth.</li>
 <li>Stillbirth. </li>
</ul>
Fortunately, most pre-eclampsia problems can be prevented with regular prenatal care. And most women with the condition deliver healthy babies, the <a href="http://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=aafp" target="_blank">American Academy of Family Physicians</a> (AAFP) reports. 
Who's at risk?
You are more likely to get pre-eclampsia if: 
<ul>
 <li>Your mom or sisters had it. </li>
 <li>You are carrying more than one child. </li>
 <li>You are younger than 20 or older than&nbsp;40. </li>
 <li>You were obese before pregnancy. </li>
 <li>You had pre-eclampsia with a previous pregnancy. </li>
 <li>You have diabetes, kidney disease or lupus. </li>
 <li>You had high blood pressure before you became pregnant. </li>
</ul>
What are the signs? 
If pre-eclampsia is mild, you may not have any signs. When symptoms do occur, they may include: 
<ul>
 <li>Sudden swelling of feet and hands. </li>
 <li>Sudden weight gain (1 pound or more a day). </li>
 <li>Severe headaches. </li>
 <li>Blurred vision. </li>
 <li>Dizziness. </li>
 <li>Intense stomach pain. </li>
</ul>
These symptoms may or may not mean you have pre-eclampsia. But they do mean you should see your doctor right away. 
How is it treated? 
Your health should be closely watched if you have signs of pre-eclampsia. Your doctor may want to see you at least once a week and possibly every day. 
If you have pre-eclampsia, treatment depends on: 
<ul>
 <li>How bad it is. </li>
 <li>How your baby is doing.</li>
 <li>How far along in the pregnancy you are. </li>
</ul>
Later on in pregnancy, delivering the baby might be best. 
If it's too early for delivery, steps can be taken to manage the condition for a time. For example, medicine can help lower blood pressure. 
If eclampsia develops, medicine can help stop seizures. 
You may have short-term complications of pre-eclampsia. This can include increased blood pressure. These problems usually go away within a few weeks after delivery, the AAFP says. 
Reviewed 8/16/2023

Pre-eclampsia: Another good reason to get prenatal care

High blood pressure during pregnancy can cause health problems for mom and baby. But regular prenatal care can help keep you both safe.