How to Diagnose and Treat Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication due to high blood pressure and leakage of protein to urine. Preeclampsia affects 7 to 8% of all pregnancies and can occur between week 20 of pregnancy and postpartum. A significant number of preeclampsia cases occur at the third trimester. Preeclampsia, if not treated, can lead eclampsia, which is a life-threatening condition involving convulsions and comma.

Instructions

• 1

  Check whether the pregnant woman is having hypertension by measuring her blood pressure. If her blood pressure is higher than 140/90, she is at high risk for preeclampsia. Other symptoms of preeclampsia include the presence of protein in urine, and water accumulation (also known as edema) in the lower extremities.

• 2

  Monitor of the health of the mother through frequent measurements of blood pressure, weight, urinary protein excretion.
  For mild cases of preeclampsia, treatments include sufficient bed rest, healthy diet, exercise and close monitoring of health statuses of both mother and fetus.

• 3

  Taking calcium and low dose of aspirin has been shown to alleviate symptoms of preeclampsia.

• 4

  In more serious cases of preeclamsia, administer magnesium sulfate intravenously or intramuscularly to the mother. This slows down or stop progression to eclampsia.

• 5

  Choose early delivery for the baby if the risk for the mother exceeds any risk to the fetus. Induce labor if the baby is close to full term and the mother's health is at risk. Preeclampsia usually disappears after delivery as the mother's blood pressure returns to normal after delivery. If the fetus is not ready for delivery, use medications to improve the symptoms and to increase the chance of survival for the fetus.