The post Preeclampsia: Your Questions Answered appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Preeclampsia Questions:
Preeclampsia: Your Questions Answered By Preeclampsia Foundation
What is preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a serious disorder related to high blood pressure. It can happen to any pregnant woman during the second half of her pregnancy or up to six weeks after delivery.
How is preeclampsia diagnosed?
Preeclampsia is diagnosed by the presence of high blood pressure and, usually, protein in the urine. This is why the mother’s blood pressure and urine are checked at every prenatal appointment.
Who is at risk for preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia affects as many as one in every 12 pregnancies, including pregnant women who have no risk factors. These factors increase the risk of developing preeclampsia:
- First pregnancy
- Preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Kidney diseas
- Over 40 or under 18 years of age
- High blood pressure before pregnancy
- Diabetes before or during pregnancy
- Multiple gestations (e.g., twins, triplets)
- Obesity (BMI>30)
- Lupus or other autoimmune disorders
- Some blood clotting disorders
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- In vitro fertilization
- Sickle cell disease
What causes preeclampsia and can it be prevented?
The cause of preeclampsia remains unknown and there is no sure way to prevent it. Several prevention strategies have been tested, but none have proven to be successful for all women. Low dose aspirin may help some women at high risk. Calcium has been studied and may be helpful in certain populations, but the results do not support widespread adoption in the U.S. Bed rest has not been found to prevent or treat preeclampsia. Exercise may be beneficial, particularly if started before pregnancy, to improve heart health and maintain a healthy weight.
READ :- HELPING TO GET BREASTFEEDING OFF TO A GOOD START: LATCH
What are the possible consequences of preeclampsia?
Most cases are not severe and occur near term with healthy outcomes. Preeclampsia can, however, be very dangerous for mother and baby, progressing quite rapidly in some cases. Risks to mom include seizures, stroke, and organ damage, and premature birth for baby. Both mom and baby could die.
What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?
Early recognition and reporting of symptoms is the key to timely detection and management of preeclampsia. Women who are pregnant or recently delivered should contact their doctor or midwife
right away if they experience any of the symptoms listed below. While these symptoms don’t necessarily indicate preeclampsia, they are cause for concern and require immediate medical evaluation.
- Swelling of the hands and face, especially around the eyes (swelling of the feet is more common in late pregnancy and probably not a sign of preeclampsia)
- Weight gain of more than five pounds in a week
- Headache that won’t go away, even after taking medication for pain relief
- Changes in vision like seeing spots or flashing lights; partial or total loss of eyesight
- Nausea or throwing up, especially suddenly, after mid pregnancy (not the morning sickness that many women experience in early pregnancy)
- Upper right belly pain, sometimes mistaken for indigestion or the flu
- Difficulty breathing, gasping, or panting
Can I have preeclampsia without symptoms?
Yes, it’s important to know that some women with preeclampsia have NO symptoms or they “just don’t feel right.” If you have a sense that something’s wrong, even without symptoms, trust yourself and contact your healthcare provider immediately.
What should I do if I experience symptoms or just don’t feel right?
Call your doctor or midwife right away. Finding preeclampsia early is important for you and your baby.
RECOMMENDED: Postpartum Psychosis – First 24 Hours of Postpartum
About the Preeclampsia Foundation
A U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2000, the Preeclampsia Foundation is dedicated to providing patient support and education, raising public awareness, catalyzing research and improving health care practices, envisioning a world where preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and babies. More information is available at www.preeclampsia.org or by calling toll-free 800.665.9341.
Follow Pregnancy & Beyond on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
The post Preeclampsia: Your Questions Answered appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>The post “Trust Your Maternal Instincts” – Advice for Moms appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>“Trust Your Maternal Instincts”
“Trust Your Maternal Instincts”: Preeclampsia Survivor Advises Moms.
A first-time mom who survived severe preeclampsia is warning expectant mothers of the importance of trusting their own maternal instincts.
23-year-old Sadiyah Hassan had a very smooth pregnancy until her 30 week checkup appointment where her doctor said to her that she had gained 22lbs since her last visit. He advised Sadiyah to watch her calorie intake.
On the 5th of June, a few days after her doctors appointment, Sadiyah started throwing up thick black liquid, unsure of what next to do, Sadiyah decided to head to the hospital despite discouragement from family and friends “everyone around me tried to talk me out of going to the hospital, they all suggested that throwing up was a normal part pregnancy” she told Pregnancybeyond.com .
On her arrival at the hospital, Sadiyah was admitted for severe preeclampsia , her blood pressure measured 180/100mm.Hg. She was immediately transferred to high unit hospital “I came in for throwing up and all of a sudden everything took a turn, my blood pressure would not go down. I was transferred to a high unit level hospital and was put on magnesium for 5 days straight only being able to eat ice chips!” Sadiyah said.
On the 8th of June, her doctor induced labor and Sadiyah welcomed a son.He weighed 3 pounds 4 ounces, and was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where he stayed for 5 weeks until he was able to suck a bottle.
Days after the birth of her son, Sadiyah blood pressure remained high and continued to be high for a long time after. Doctors said she was lucky to have survived and that if she had not come to the hospital at the time she did, both she and her she son would have died.
“This is my first child and by far the most scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I would like to advise mothers-to-be to always check with their doctors and healthcare providers whenever they feel something is not right. My team of doctors told me that if I had not come on at the time I did, both me and my son would have died. I am so glad I trusted my instincts and would want expectant mothers to trust their own instincts – no matter what anyone says”.
Thank you Sadiyah for sharing your story.
RECOMMENDED:- Successful VBAC Tips – How To Prepare For VBAC
Follow Pregnancy & Beyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
The post “Trust Your Maternal Instincts” – Advice for Moms appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>The post Mom Shares Her Experience With Pre-Eclampsia appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>Experience With Pre-Eclampsia
Mom Shares Her Experience With Pre-Eclampsia.
Kehinde Adeyemi had an easy pregnancy – If there is such a thing as the perfect pregnancy I experienced it. She said, “I had a wonderful, no-morning sickness/vomiting /spitting first trimester with so much energy and also no cravings”.
She shares the story of her experience with pre-eclampsia. A medical condition that is characterized by an abnormally high amount of protein in the urine of a pregnant woman. Also, the sudden onset of high blood pressure in a pregnant woman. Who prior to pregnancy had normal blood pressure).
My husband and I had just been married a few months when we found out we were pregnant. At 29 weeks gestation, I was gaining a significant amount of weight with swollen feet, swollen face, and palms. I thought nothing of it. My husband kept saying it was pregnancy-related.
My feet would swell at the end of each day. I was told that once I finished work and put my feet up then the swelling would ease. This was not the case, I continued to swell and the weight kept piling on.
My eyesight was constantly blurred, and I also kept seeing flashing lights in front of my eyes. I had constant headaches and my whole body felt swollen. My wedding rings were stuck.
I was experiencing symptoms of pre-eclampsia but didn’t understand that they were symptoms.
At my 30 weeks appointment, ultrasounds revealed that the baby was measuring behind by a couple of weeks. The sonographer said it was nothing to worry about. Silly me, I went to the store and got every available fat yogurt and went about my business. I thought eating fatty food would increase her size. I was so wrong.
One lovely Friday I was in my office, in pain, and my feet literally gave up on me. It was hurting so bad a colleague forced me to A&E. I was really reluctant even though I worked at the hospital.
Eventually, routine checks were carried out. Found out my blood pressure spiked at 184/104 190/116 with spilling protein in my urine.
I saw trouble written in HD on the doctor’s face. He turned to me saying you “You are lucky to be alive. You could have slumped”. I just sat there, staring at her in confusion – trying to make sense of high blood pressure and the Pre-eclampsia I was diagnosed with.
I did a quick mental calculation at all the symptoms: from constant headaches to swollen palms and feet. How did everyone think it was normal?
I was admitted to the hospital. The goal was to keep me on bed rest. Under constant supervision to keep the baby baking as long as possible. To combat the pre-eclampsia, nurses hooked me up to constant fetal monitoring.
Also as a precaution, they gave me steroid injections to prepare the baby’s lungs for early delivery. My blood pressure was skyrocketing. So my medical team was left with no choice but to plan an emergency cesarean.
On the 20th January 2016 at 13:15 pm, Dade, my little fighter was born weighing 1.7kg about 3 pounds at 34weeks+2days. I got to see her for a millisecond before she was whisked away to the Special Care Baby Unit.
She fought her way through 2 weeks in SCBU. God came through for us.
My near-death experience made me realize that a mom’s biggest advocate needs to be herself. My advice would be if your instinct says something isn’t right then trust it. If you aren’t happy with the answers or responses then challenge it.
Frequent consultation with the doctor will go a long way in taking care of a pregnant woman’s pre-eclampsia. Close monitoring could be the most important key in handling the condition.
If you’re pregnant and you’re not feeling well, don’t be afraid to call or consult your doctor. What you think is “normal” may actually already be a symptom of something else.”
Dade at 6 months
Also Read: My Bump Style: Simple and Energetic- Nifesimi
Follow PregnancyBeyond on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The post Mom Shares Her Experience With Pre-Eclampsia appeared first on PregnancyBeyond.
]]>