Pregnancy: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

HIGH blood pressure or hyperten
sion as widely known, is a deadly condition, which cannot be overlooked or said to have been overstressed.

As critical as hypertension is, its effects on pregnancies cannot and should not be overlooked.

The reason is not far-fetched,as it is the second commonest cause of maternal deaths. If hypertension in pregnancy is not monitored,it can result in preeclampsia and even eclampsia.

Dr.Oladapo Olayemi, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, University College Hospital,Ibadan,while speaking with Maternal & child health said, preeclampsia is a condition affecting pregnant women, marked by high blood pressure (hypertension) accompanied with a high level of protein in her urine.

He added that, “Preeclampsia is most often seen in first-time pregnancies and when present, it usually appears after twenty weeks of pregnancy. And if left untreated,it can result in eclampsia.”

The consultant said enclampsia happens to be the final and most severe phase of preeclampsia, which, if well managed by one’s doctor, will not be able to get to a stage, because when the condition is allowed to deteriorate to eclampsia, there is very high chance of the mother and/or child’s death.

On what causes preeclampsia and eclampsia , Dr. Olayemi pointed out that the exact cause(s) are not known. However, if kidneys, which are charged with the function of filtering whatever one takes, among other functions, are dysfunctioning,they allow proteins to pass through to the urine, thus, predisposing pregnant women to preeclampsia.

Although some researchers suspect poor nutrition, high body fat or insufficient blood flow to the uterus as possible causes,but these have not been proven true.

Women with preeclampsia will often also have swelling in the feet, legs and the whole body.He added that, apart from the swelling,high blood pressure, protein in the urine (known via laboratory test), other notable symptoms of preeclampsia are, rapid weight gain, which is caused by a significant increase in body fluid,abdominal pain,especially in the upper part of the stomach,headache,reduced output of urine and flashing lights of the eyes, as if one is seeing stars.‘

Though, swelling during pregnancy does not automatically suggests that one has preeclampsia,because, often some women have swellings which are normal during pregnancy.However,if the swelling does not go away with rest and is accompanied by some or all of the above symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away.

In addition to the previously mentioned symptoms,women who graduate from preeclampsia to eclampsia often have seizures or fits. And as explained by Dr. Olayemi, it can lead the woman into a state of coma and even death of both mother and baby before,during or after childbirth.

Preeclampsia’s effect on the baby could be deadly, as it can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, thus, resulting in the baby being born very small or even dying inside the womb before birth .The only real cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is the birth of the baby,because, as said by Olayemi, once the baby is born and the placenta is out,the blood pressure usually returns to normal.

Other notable risk factors as stated in a medical write-up include a history of high blood pressure prior to pregnancy,previous preeclampsia, history of preeclampsia in mother or sisters,obesity prior to pregnancy,carrying more than one baby and history of diabetes and kidney disease.

But more importantly and worthy of note is that,once a woman is pregnant, attending antenatals is very imporant, as her blood pressure will be closely monitored during pregnancy. This, according to him is necessary in order to diagnose preeclampsia early.

Although, even carefully monitored patients may develop preeclampsia and eclampsia,it is the close monitoring by practitioners that will help decrease the complications of these conditions.

On a concluding note, Dr. Olayemi advises that anypregnant woman who has hypertension should adhere strictly to taking the drugs administered to her for her not to become a victim of these deadly conditions.