Is Preeclampsia A Silent Threat In Pregnancy? Know The Causes And Complications

Many of you must have heard about preeclampsia but may not know its meaning. It is a serious and life-threatening medical condition that affects pregnant women who either have a history of chronic hypertension or have developed sudden high BP after the 20th week of gestation.  Preeclampsia can lead to potential organ damage and other life-threatening complications for the mother and her unborn baby.

What is Preeclampsia? 

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related complication that is serious and needs immediate medical attention. Usually, this condition begins with elevated blood pressure. The pregnant mother also has high protein levels in her urine, and that itself is not considered a healthy marker of pregnancy. 

This condition usually begins after the 20th week of pregnancy when the would-be mother may develop other complications in vital organs such as the liver and kidney, besides experiencing very high bp. Preeclampsia needs medical attention instantly so that complications can be reduced and preterm birth of the baby can be avoided. The condition also has a higher chance of developing into cardiovascular illness for the mother. The prevalence rate is not less, and research findings show that about 6.2% of women in the age group of 20-29 develop preeclampsia. 

Signs Of Preeclampsia

Hypertensive symptoms in pregnancy are most familiar to women who are obese or have a history of high blood pressure in their families. Preeclampsia incidence is also common in hospitals. As per a research finding, 5% to 15% of women develop eclampsia symptoms and require hospitalization. So, some of the most common signs are as follows:

• High blood pressure

• Protein in urine is commonly known as proteinuria

• Difficulty in breathing

• Weight gain because of fluid retention in the body

• Blurred vision or having spots in the eye

• Hand or leg swelling

• Headaches that may come and go quite often

• Decrease in urine output

• Dark-colored urine as fluid is retained in the skin or other organs

• Nausea feeling in the advanced stages of pregnancy

For a new mother, it is often difficult to ascertain preeclampsia unless the doctor checks blood pressure and does other routine health checks. Apart from the other symptoms, preeclampsia can also cause exceedingly high BP (160/110) and pulmonary edema, often known as fluid retention in the lungs. When preeclampsia symptoms are too severe to be managed at home, the doctor suggests hospitalization so that the damage can be reduced as much as possible.

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Causes of Preeclampsia

A single reason cannot be ascertained for this complication. Some of the key causes are as follows:

• Poor development of the placenta - Scientists believe that poor placental development in women with eclampsia is a vital reason. This can result in poor blood flow within the placenta, potentially disrupting the mother's ability to regulate blood pressure effectively.

• Genetic reasons - Many women with preeclampsia also carry a hereditary component of the complication. A family history of eclampsia can increase the chances and risks manifold.

• Obesity - Excess weight put on by expecting mothers increases the risk of developing this pregnancy-related complication. Research findings suggest that obese women are more likely to have this complication than non-obese women. 

• History of multiple pregnancies - When a woman carries twins or more fetuses, then placental growth is compromised. It causes increased BP in the mother and also poses a threat to her cardiovascular system. 

• Chronic hypertension -  It refers to elevated blood pressure that either existed before pregnancy or develops within the first 20 weeks of gestation. If high blood pressure persists beyond three months after childbirth, it becomes a chronic condition and increases the chances of eclampsia significantly. 

• Advanced maternal age - Women over 35 years of age have a higher threat of developing preeclampsia than young women. Studies have shown that women with higher maternal age have 9.4% more chances of developing this complication than younger women with only 6.4%.

Maternal Risk Factors for Developing Preeclampsia 

Some of the major risk factors are discussed here:

• Preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy 

• Being pregnant with multiple babies

• Hypertension tendencies before conception and during pregnancy; needing medicine

• Diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of eclampsia

• Both short and long gaps in conception cause complications

• Assisted childbirth procedures such as IVF also increase the risk. Some research works have highlighted that IVF can cause defective placentation, leading to decreased blood supply to the growing fetus. 

Complications of Preeclampsia for the Unborn Baby

Preeclampsia can have adverse effects on the growing fetus. 

• Inadequate blood supply to the placenta causes growth deficits in the fetus

• Preterm delivery may happen to reduce damage to the unborn and also reduce severe complications for the mother

• Preeclampsia can cause a lowering of amniotic fluid, resulting in breathing issues in the unborn baby

• Low birth weight is a common problem with babies born to mothers with eclampsia. Inadequate nutrients and oxygen supply can lead to a smaller baby with health issues.

Complications of Preeclampsia for the Pregnant Mother

If preeclampsia remains untreated, it can cause serious issues to maternal health and well-being.

• Severe preeclampsia can cause seizures during childbirth; thus, it needs to be controlled at all costs

• Risks of organ damage may increase

• High BP also increases the risk of stroke

• Women with preeclampsia have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life

• At times, Postpartum Preeclampsia occurs, where high blood pressure and complications can continue or develop after delivery

• Pulmonary edema can also occur, where fluid accumulates in the mother’s lungs, causing distressed breathing

Routine Health Checks for Mothers With Preeclampsia

Mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia can be advised to have routine health checkups from time to time so that constant monitoring can be done and complications can be averted on time. 

1. Blood pressure should be regularly monitored to identify spikes

2. Regular urine screening tests are advised to estimate the level of protein in the urine

3. Ultrasounds to understand fetal growth

4. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels 

5. Amniotic fluids are tested to understand healthy fetal growth

6. Doppler studies are done to check blood flow in the placenta to ensure proper oxygen and nutrient supply

How Preeclampsia Worsens With Advanced Pregnancy?

As pregnancy progresses, preeclampsia can get worse due to increased strain on the mother’s body and placenta. Poor blood flow affects the baby’s growth and reduces oxygen and nutrients. As a result, the risk of low birth weight babies is probable. 

Moreover, rising blood pressure can damage the mother’s organs, leading to serious conditions like seizures and stroke. The risk is highest in the third trimester, and in severe cases, early delivery may be needed to protect both the mother and baby.

Although preeclampsia is a serious health issue, managing symptoms can always reduce its risks. Early detection and proper medical care can greatly improve outcomes for both mother and baby. 

Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and close monitoring of blood pressure levels by healthcare providers can help manage the condition and reduce complications. With timely treatment, most women with preeclampsia go on to deliver their babies healthily and heartily. The advances in medical care continue to provide better ways to handle high-risk pregnancies, offering hope to mothers facing this challenge.