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Past Article of the Month
Originally Published 06/09/2012
Pre-eclampsia: Understanding the Signs and Symptoms
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You are pregnant at last! Whether your journey to get here has been a long one or not, you are likely to be excited, nervous, full of hopes and dreams, and perhaps anxious about things going well. It is not uncommon to worry about the outcome of ones pregnancy. Although the odds are in your favor that you will deliver a healthy baby, it is important for all pregnant women to understand and be aware of warning signs that may indicate that you or your baby are at risk.
One of the disorders that can occur during pregnancy or the postpartum period is pre-eclampsia also known as toxemia. Pre-eclampsia, which occurs in approximately 5-8% of pregnancies, is a very serious medical condition that can be life-threatening. It is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Because you may have no outward symptoms, you may not be aware that something is wrong. Indeed, pre-eclampsia is described as a silent syndrome, and is often only detected during routine pregnancy exams. This is one of the reasons why pre-natal care is so vital for pregnant women. However, if you develop headaches, swelling, sudden weight gain, or changes in vision, you should definitely seek medical attention, as these are some of the symptoms of pre-eclampsia.
For the pregnant woman, pre-eclampsia can cause problems in the functioning of your kidney and liver. It can also cause blood-clotting problems, which may, in turn, cause seizures and/or strokes. For the fetus, the blood flow to the placenta may be affected resulting in smaller or premature babies. Regrettably, the only cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby. Depending on when in the pregnancy the condition is discovered has a lot to do with the treatment and outcome. If your baby is 37 weeks or older, it is considered term, and will be delivered. If, however, pre-eclampsia occurs earlier in the pregnancy, the consequences can be considerably more serious. The goal is to have the baby stay in-utero for as long as possible; this may mean that your doctor will prescribe medication, bed rest, or hospitalization to regulate your blood pressure. But if the hypertension cannot be controlled, the baby may have to be delivered prematurely.
<b>Psychological Impact of Pre-eclampsia</b>
A diagnosis of pre-eclampsia can be extremely frightening for you and your partner. Not only is your pregnancy at risk, but your own life may be threatened as well. Aside from these fears, you may feel as if you have failed. The trust in your body may vanish; the belief that you would be able to provide a safe haven for your baby to grow in your womb is lost. Although you may understand intellectually that you have done nothing wrong, feelings of guilt may overwhelm you. You may feel responsible even though pre-eclampsia may not be something that you can control.
Not only are you dealing with the heavy burden of a physical disorder, the psychological impact may be overwhelming. It is only natural that the combination of struggling with a serious illness and the possible termination of your pregnancy, or premature delivery, would elicit feelings of depression and anxiety. Indeed, many women complain of posttraumatic stress symptoms, which may include flashbacks, intrusive upsetting memories, nightmares, anger, despair, agitation, or feeling detached or numb.
Additionally you may be terrified to try to have another child. This is totally understandable because if you have had pre-eclampsia during your first pregnancy there is a risk of it occurring again in a subsequent pregnancy. Close monitoring by your physician is essential.
As with any unanticipated negative event in pregnancy, you must allow yourself time to recover not just physically, but emotionally as well. The grief that occurs from a reproductive trauma is like no other. It can be helpful to seek support from others that have also experienced pre-eclampsia. Joining a group such as the <a href="http://www.preeclampsia.org/">Pre-eclampia Foundation </a> can be extremely beneficial. Additionally, you may want to consult with a mental health practitioner who understands grief and pregnancy loss.
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