Short answer
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine, usually after 20 weeks. Early on it rarely causes symptoms, so BP and urine are checked at every visit. A severe headache, blurred vision, pain below the ribs, vomiting or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet needs urgent medical help.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Symptoms that need urgent help
- A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers
- Vision problems, such as blurring or flashing lights
- Pain below the ribs
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
- Heartburn that does not settle with medicines
- Vomiting, or feeling very unwell
Pre-eclampsia can also start in the days or weeks after delivery.
If you have any of these symptoms, call +91 90368 52311 or come to the hospital straight away, day or night.
Who is at higher risk
- Women with diabetes, high BP or kidney disease before pregnancy
- Women with autoimmune conditions such as lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome
- Pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy, or in your mother or sister
- A first pregnancy, age 40 or over, or 10 years or more since the last pregnancy
- Twins or triplets
- A BMI of 35 or more before pregnancy
- South Asian background, which includes Indian women
How it is treated
Pre-eclampsia goes away only after the baby is born, but treatment keeps you and your baby safer until then. You will usually be given medicine to lower your BP, with more frequent check-ups, blood tests and scans to follow your baby’s growth.
Severe pre-eclampsia needs admission to hospital, and medicine to prevent fits may be given by injection or drip. Sometimes the safest option is to deliver the baby early, by inducing labour or by caesarean section.
Can it be prevented?
If you are at higher risk, your doctor may prescribe low-dose aspirin from 12 weeks of pregnancy until birth, and calcium if your diet is low in calcium. Do not start aspirin or calcium on your own.
At Dhruva Hospitals
Our obstetric team cares for high-risk pregnancies, including pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The hospital has 24/7 emergency care, an ICU, caesarean section available round the clock and a Level III NICU if a baby needs to be born early.
Common questions
Is PIH the same as pre-eclampsia?
Not exactly. PIH (pregnancy-induced or gestational hypertension) means high BP that starts in pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is high BP with signs that other organs are affected, such as protein in the urine. Both need closer monitoring.
Will my BP go back to normal after delivery?
Usually, yes. Some women need BP medicine for a few weeks after birth, with regular BP checks.
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Sources
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.