Is preeclampsia during pregnancy dangerous?

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Preeclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually occurring in the second half of pregnancy or shortly after the birth of the baby. So is preeclampsia during pregnancy dangerous?

Preeclampsia, formerly known as toxemia of pregnancy, is a condition in which pregnant women have elevated blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling of the legs and arms. Preeclampsia, which can range from mild to severe, usually occurs in the last months of pregnancy, although it can also occur in the early months or after birth.
Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a condition that endangers the health of the mother and baby, and in rare cases can cause death, stillbirth. The only cure for preeclampsia is childbirth. However, even after delivery, symptoms of preeclampsia can last for 1 to 6 weeks or more.
You can protect yourself by learning the symptoms of preeclampsia and seeing your doctor for regular prenatal care. Early detection of preeclampsia can reduce the risk of long-term problems for both mother and baby.

Preeclampsia can occur as early as 20 weeks of pregnancy, but it is very rare. Symptoms usually begin after 34 weeks. In some cases, symptoms develop after birth, often within 48 hours of birth. They tend to go away on their own but can last up to 12 weeks after birth. In addition to swelling (also called edema), protein in the urine, and increased blood pressure, symptoms of preeclampsia include:
Weight gain in 1 or 2 days due to increased fluid in the body Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side Severe headache Reflex changes Little or no urination Dizziness Severe vomiting and nausea Vision changes: loss of vision, sensitivity to light, blurred vision. Some women with preeclampsia don't have any symptoms, so it's important to see your doctor for regular blood pressure checks and a complete pregnancy urine test.

Although the cause of preeclampsia is unknown, it is thought to occur when there is a problem with the placenta, the organ that links the baby's blood supply to the mother's. Some hypothesize that poor nutrition or high body fat may contribute to preeclampsia.
Mild preeclampsia affects 6% of pregnancies, and severe cases develop in about 1 to 2% of pregnancies. There are a number of factors that can increase your chances of developing preeclampsia, such as:
Having diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease before you get pregnant Have another medical condition, such as diabetes lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome Having had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy Other factors that may slightly increase your risk of developing preeclampsia include:
Family history of preeclampsia Women over 40 age At least 10 years since last pregnancy Twins or triplets Body mass index (BMI) 35 or more If you have 2 or more of these factors simultaneously, your risk of Preeclampsia during pregnancy will be higher.

Although most cases of preeclampsia cause no problems and improve soon after the baby is born, there is a risk of serious complications that can affect both mother and baby.
Preeclampsia can cause the placenta to not receive enough blood, which can cause your baby to have a very low birth weight, also known as fetal growth restriction.
It is also one of the most common causes of premature birth and subsequent complications for babies, including learning disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and problems with hearing and vision.
Rare but potentially dangerous pre-eclampsia complications are as follows:
Stroke Convulsions Accumulation of fluid in the chest area Heart failure Bleeding after giving birth When pre-eclampsia or eclampsia damages the liver and blood cells , you may have a complication called HELLP syndrome . It stands for:

Hemolysis: This is a condition when the red blood cells that carry oxygen in your body break down. Elevated liver enzymes Low platelet counts: This is a condition when you don't have enough platelets, so your blood doesn't clot as it should. HELLP syndrome is a medical emergency. Call 911 right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
Blurred vision Chest or stomach pain Headache Fatigue Abdominal discomfort or vomiting Swelling of the face or hands Bleeding gums or nose Preeclampsia can also cause placental abruption A sudden separation from the uterus, called placental abruption, can lead to stillbirth.
See also: Preeclampsia - why is it dangerous?

The only cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is childbirth. Your doctor will discuss with you when to give birth based on how far your baby has traveled, how your baby is in the womb, and the severity of your preeclampsia. If your baby is growing well, usually at 37 weeks or later, your doctor may want to induce labor or have a cesarean section. This will help keep preeclampsia from getting worse. If your baby isn't full-term, your doctor may treat mild preeclampsia until your baby has grown enough to be born safely. The closer to the due date, the better for the baby.
If you have mild preeclampsia, also known as preeclampsia without serious symptoms, your doctor may prescribe and direct you to:
Rest at home or in the hospital; lying on the left side. Careful monitoring with a fetal heart rate monitor and regular ultrasounds Medicines for high blood pressure Blood and urine tests Your doctor may also ask you to stay in the hospital to monitor you closely. In the hospital you can get:
Medicines to help prevent seizures, lower blood pressure and prevent other problems Steroid injections to make the fetal lungs grow faster

Other treatments include: Magnesium injection to prevent seizures related to eclampsia, use of hydralazine or another blood pressure medication
For severe preeclampsia, your doctor may order it pregnant women must give birth immediately, even if you are not close to full term. After that, the symptoms of preeclampsia should go away within 1 to 6 weeks but may last longer.
During pregnancy, it is very important to take the initiative to have a full antenatal check-up. Accordingly, pregnant women should adhere to the schedule of antenatal care appointments, to have their blood pressure measured as well as assess the protein status in the urine to detect pre-eclampsia in time. For women at risk. High risk of preeclampsia such as: diabetes, kidney disease, pregnancy at an advanced age, family history of preeclampsia, or preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy need to talk to your doctor for advice. question and follow up closely.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International General Hospital has solved many difficult cases such as: polyhydramnios, placenta accreta, umbilical cord knotted, premature pregnancy, amniotic fluid transmission for pregnant women with amniotic deficiency, pre-eclampsia, infection Toxic pregnancy... Accordingly, to make the pregnancy process more convenient, Vinmec has deployed PACKAGE Maternity Packages, including prenatal care, during childbirth and after birth. Pregnant women are monitored and carried out all necessary tests and ultrasounds to detect pregnancy abnormalities early. Giving birth will be as "light" as going on vacation, because the hospital has full equipment for mother and baby.
In particular, the medical examination and treatment process at Vinmec is performed by leading obstetricians in the industry. They are all well-trained both at home and abroad to soon detect obstetric diseases in the mother or abnormalities in the fetus for early examination and timely treatment.

Reference source: nhs.uk, webmd.com