What is The First Sign of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition where a pregnant woman can experience high blood pressure and damage to an internal organ like the liver or kidneys. If you need treatment, please contact our gynecologist in New Hyde Park.

This condition can be very dangerous for pregnancy and usually requires the delivery of the baby. There are around 3 million cases a year of preeclampsia in The United States. Preeclampsia is extremely dangerous and can even be fatal to you and your baby. This is why it is important to check in with your doctor regularly during your pregnancy. Women4Women will be able to catch any early signs of preeclampsia and figure out the best solution for you and your baby.

What Causes Preeclampsia?

The cause of preeclampsia includes many factors. Doctors believe that this condition occurs when blood vessels that normally develop from the placenta during pregnancy, don’t. These blood vessels can either be narrower or smaller or sometimes not develop at all. This underdevelopment of the blood vessels may be caused by lack of blood flow to the uterus, blood vessels are easily damaged, immune system issues, or genes. 

Who is at Risk of Preeclampsia?

Although preeclampsia can happen in any pregnancy, several factors may put a woman more at risk:

• High blood pressure before pregnancy
• Preeclampsia during an earlier pregnancy
• Overweight women may have more of a risk of preeclampsia
• Age- women over age 40 are more likely to develop the condition
• Multiple gestations- (carrying more than one fetus)
• Ethnicity- African- American women are more likely to develop the disease than white women
• Family history of the condition
• History of other health conditions
• In vitro fertilization

Women who fit into any of these risk factors should be aware of preeclampsia and see a doctor discuss their best options. There may be ways to diminish your risk and prevent preeclampsia.

What Are The First Signs of Preeclampsia?

Because preeclampsia is usually identified by high blood pressure, it can be difficult to know if you may have it without going to a doctor. Luckily, there are some other signs of this condition that you can identify at home. They can include:

• Signs of kidney issues
• Severe headaches
• Vision changes
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Decreased urine output
• Shortness of breath

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor immediately. The gynecologist in New Hyde Park works to learn about conditions like preeclampsia every day. We strive to educate our staff to ensure the health of you and your baby. If you have any worries about preeclampsia or its potential impact on your pregnancy, reach out to us! We have the education and tools to help you learn more.

Preeclampsia’s Effects on Pregnancy

Depending on your risk factors, the severity of your preeclampsia, and the timing of the condition during your pregnancy, there can be different complications you may experience. Some complications may be:

• Restriction of fetal growth- Because preeclampsia reduces the blood flow to the placenta, your baby may not receive all of the nutrients and oxygen causing your baby’s growth to reduce.
• Prematurity- In many cases, preeclampsia requires the early delivery of your baby. Prematurity can also cause many other risks.
• Placental Abruption- Placental abruption causes your placenta to separate from the inner wall of your uterus. This can cause heavy, life-threatening bleeding.
• HELLP Syndrome- HELLP causes a low red blood cell count causing damage to important organs and can be extremely life-threatening to you and your baby.
• Eclampsia- This is another form of preeclampsia that results in seizures.

How Can I Prevent Preeclampsia?

Unfortunately, there is no clear prevention from preeclampsia. The condition is still being heavily researched but there are some things that you can do to decrease your chances of getting it. Low dose aspirin and calcium supplements in some cases can help to prevent preeclampsia. It is also extremely beneficial to lose any unnecessary weight and keep other underlying conditions under control before pregnancy. Seeing a doctor is the best way to create the best plan and prevention for your pregnancy.

Contact Gynecologist in New Hyde Park

Preeclampsia is a very serious and life-threatening pregnancy condition. It is extremely important to be aware of early signals of preeclampsia but also to see your doctor regularly. Women4Women a Gynecologist in New Hyde Park, encourages pregnancy patients to follow their regular check-ups to ensure a safe pregnancy without any of these complications. Contact Women4Women for more information about preeclampsia and to schedule your checkups today!