Preeclampsia (preeclampsia). What is the danger of preeclampsia in pregnant women and how to treat it? Priority problem for a pregnant woman with eclampsia

Doctors call preeclampsia a pathological condition that can occur in pregnant women. It bothers 10% of pregnant women.

With pathology, the placenta does not receive blood in the required quantity. All symptoms of the disease lead to the fact that the fetus receives insufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients from the mother. This threatens malnutrition and hypoxia.

Preeclampsia affects the baby's health. The baby may have low birth weight. Modern advances in medicine make it possible to overcome the negative impact of the disease. Therefore, most women in labor successfully cope with a dangerous pathology. They give birth to healthy babies.

Causes of pathology

Experts cannot accurately name the causes of this pathology. It is likely that preeclampsia develops due to peripheral vasospasm. Presumable factors that negatively affect the body are the following:

  • improper nutrition of a pregnant woman;
  • high levels of body fat;
  • poor blood flow in the uterus.

In addition, doctors identify risk factors that contribute to the disease:

  1. first pregnancy;
  2. the pregnant woman is over 40 years old;
  3. high blood pressure in a woman before pregnancy;
  4. excess weight;
  5. autoimmune diseases of women;
  6. heredity (preeclampsia in close relatives);
  7. multiple pregnancy;
  8. kidney disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis.

Associated symptoms and signs of the disease

Signs:

  • A clear sign of pathology is swelling, which grows very quickly. A pregnant woman's hands and face swell especially severely. The woman begins to gain excessive weight.
  • The second sign is high blood pressure.
  • In some women, biochemical blood parameters change and jaundice occurs.
  • Headache, abdominal pain, hyperreflexia, blurred vision.
  • Protein in the urine and reduced urine output.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

Tests for pregnant women with preeclampsia can detect protein (proteinuria) in the urine. This indicates pathological disorders. A pregnant woman undergoes examination and therapy.

Light degree

The pressure rises from 150/90 mm Hg. An increased number of platelets is detected in the blood. Urine tests show the presence of protein up to 1 g/l. A pregnant woman's legs swell. Sometimes this disease occurs without any symptoms. Only after undergoing regular tests does the woman discover the pathology. Therefore, while expecting a child, you should not miss scheduled visits to the doctor. If mild preeclampsia is detected early, possible complications can be prevented.

Average degree

The pressure rises to 170/110 mmHg. Art. The doctor detects protein in the urine (over 5 g/l). Symptoms of the disease become more pronounced than at the initial stage.

Heavydegree

This is the most dangerous condition. The pressure rises significantly. Protein in the urine increases. A woman suffers from a headache that is localized in the forehead. There may be a flicker in her eyes. Vision is impaired, and pain occurs in the right side due to a swollen liver.

Hematological disorders occur. The disease at this stage can develop into eclampsia - the most dangerous gestosis. It is accompanied by convulsions. Severe preeclampsia and eclampsia can threaten the health of mother and baby.

Correct diagnosis of the condition

If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with arterial hypertension (high blood pressure lasts more than 6 hours) and protein is found in the urine, then we are talking about preeclampsia.

Swelling and pastiness confirm the diagnosis. If you experience unusual swelling in the face, arms or legs, you should consult your doctor.

It should be noted that this disease does not have specific symptoms. Sometimes swelling and cramps occur for other reasons. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis can only be made after taking into account the totality of symptoms. The correctness of the diagnosis is confirmed by the disappearance of symptoms after the birth of the baby.

Preeclampsia during pregnancy

This is gestosis, which has a characteristic clinical picture of damage to the nervous system. Most often it develops in the second half of pregnancy. But sometimes it occurs in the early stages. Statistics show that in recent years the frequency of this pathology has increased significantly. It usually occurs during the first pregnancy. In repeated pregnancies, this pathology is detected less frequently.

Treatment regimen for preeclampsia

Treatment is determined by the doctor after examining the woman. It all depends on the severity of the pathology, as well as on the stage of pregnancy. Mild preeclampsia can be successfully managed at home. It is enough to observe bed rest. Experts advise lying on your back more often, which helps reduce blood pressure.

In this case, the pregnant woman should be under the supervision of a doctor. She is given an ultrasound, her blood pressure is constantly measured, cardiotocography is performed and fetal movements are counted. If there is no improvement, then they resort to medications. Doctors prescribe medications that lower blood pressure. In addition, a woman should take magnesium sulfate.

If unfavorable symptoms continue to increase, then the question of a caesarean section or artificial induction of labor arises. In severe cases, the only solution is delivery. Doctors try to prolong pregnancy as much as possible, but if the pathology threatens the life of the child or mother, they resort to artificial stimulation of labor.

After the birth of a baby, a woman may experience postpartum preeclampsia, which lasts several weeks. It can threaten the mother's life.

Emergency care for acute forms

Dangerous symptoms in which a pregnant woman needs urgent medical attention:

  1. blood pressure increases significantly (more than 170/110 mm Hg);
  2. oliguria;
  3. disturbance of cerebral blood flow;
  4. severe swelling;
  5. strong mental or motor agitation or depression.

In such cases, the patient is urgently hospitalized. She is first given sedatives to prevent seizures. Typically, pregnant women are given Relanium or droperidol. In severe situations, hypnotics from the barbiturate series are used. Before administering sedatives, mask short-term anesthesia is sometimes used. The specific actions of doctors depend on the severity of the patient’s condition.

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One of the most common complications that occur in late pregnancy is preeclampsia. It is quite dangerous for the health of the mother and the unborn child,

which makes it an important and pressing issue in obstetrics. The greatest threat is posed by severe preeclampsia (code O14.1, according to the ICD), which can provoke seizures in the mother and even coma.

What is this disease?

Preeclampsia is a pathological condition of a pregnant woman, which is accompanied by a multisystem pattern of complications. According to the ICD, these include high blood pressure and the presence of large amounts of protein in the urine, which has the clinical name “proteinuria.” A concomitant symptom of the pathology is a high level of swelling of the body, namely the arms, legs, and face (ICD code O14.0).

Preeclampsia occurs in almost every fifth pregnant woman. However, a severe form of the disease is observed in 5% of women. Such indicators cause obstetricians to sound the alarm, since as a result of this syndrome, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the child’s body slows down, which can provoke a slowdown in its development.

For the mother, this condition is also considered extremely dangerous, since every second pregnant woman suffering from severe preeclampsia dies as a result of suffocation. This pathology provokes dysfunction of the kidneys, brain, liver and lungs, which is observed not only in the postpartum period. Problems in the functioning of the above organs most often make themselves felt in the mother’s subsequent life.

The risk of developing the disease is especially high in women who had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy. Patients who previously suffered from hypertension or kidney disease are also under special supervision. Heredity in some cases can also provoke the development of the syndrome in the second or third semester of pregnancy.

There are mild, moderate, and severe forms of preeclampsia. Each of them is characterized by a different complexity of symptoms and possible complications. The mild form is characterized by an inconspicuous course of the disease, which is almost impossible to detect without a special medical examination. Moderate or moderate preeclampsia most often occurs in pregnant women and requires constant medical supervision, as it can develop into a severe stage, which is the most dangerous and can provoke premature placental abruption.

Symptoms of preeclampsia

The main symptoms of preeclampsia are:

- frequent headaches;

- dizziness;

- the appearance of black dots before the eyes;

- blurred vision;

- high blood pressure;

- pain in the abdomen;

- nausea and vomiting;

- excessive swelling of the limbs;

- significant weight gain;

- lack of urge to urinate;

- a sharp decrease in the amount of urine.

In severe cases of pathology, convulsions, loss of consciousness, and suffocation may occur. Also in this condition there is a high level of protein in the urine (from 5g/l).

Causes of pathology

The proven causes of preeclampsia are:

— urolithiasis (UKD) or other disorders of the kidneys;

— mother’s age from 35 years;

- the presence of a severe stage of pathology during a previous pregnancy;

- genetic predisposition on the part of the pregnant mother;

- arterial hypertension;

- overweight;

- multiple pregnancy;

- diabetes.

Diagnostics

The best way to avoid the development of preeclampsia and its progression to a severe stage is considered to be timely diagnosis. In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman must register with an obstetrician-gynecologist, who will conduct regular examinations.

One of the mandatory research methods that a pregnant woman must undergo every time she is examined by a doctor is measuring blood pressure. As a rule, in the second trimester of pregnancy there is a slight increase. The task of specialists in this case is to timely diagnose the onset of the development of a mild degree of pathology, which, in the absence of proper treatment, can rapidly develop into a more dangerous moderate and severe form.

Another mandatory examination of a pregnant woman is a general urine test. Only it can show the presence of a protein, which signals the development of severe preeclampsia.

Systematic weight measurement is also necessary for timely diagnosis of pathology. After all, an unreasonable and sharp increase in it may indicate water retention in the tissues - one of the main symptoms of preeclampsia.

If a woman notices that in the evening the volume of her legs, arms and fingers increases sharply, and she feels unwell, dizzy and has a headache, she should immediately inform the doctor. After all, these symptoms may indicate the development of a mild degree of pathology.

Treatment of preeclampsia

Treatment of preeclampsia can be carried out in several directions. The main determining factor in this process is the degree of the disease. The duration of pregnancy also plays an important role. After all, any medical intervention implies an impact not only on the health of the woman, but also on her unborn child. And the task of doctors is to select methods and drugs that would cause as little harm as possible to the baby.

Therefore, the main thing in the treatment of preeclampsia is considered to be the prevention of a possible attack, which is accompanied by convulsions, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness and, in some cases, death of the pregnant woman.

Treatment of severe forms

Treatment of severe preeclampsia is a rather complex and at the same time responsible task for obstetricians. Since it is considered the most dangerous to the health and life of the mother. Unlike mild and moderate, severe degree requires a complete examination of the woman’s body. Doctors often prefer hospitalization, which allows for round-the-clock supervision of the pregnant woman.

In most cases, doctors recommend bed rest for the expectant mother, which helps increase blood flow to the placenta. This allows you to avoid its premature detachment.

A prerequisite for treatment is taking medications that lower blood pressure. Naturally, doctors select the medications that are safest for the fetus. Taking diuretic medications is also necessary, especially if excess water provokes significant weight gain.

To reduce swelling in the body, it is recommended that pregnant women limit the consumption of salty, spicy and fried foods. The amount of water you drink should also be reduced, especially at night. But this does not mean that you should avoid liquids altogether. It is necessary for the pregnant woman’s body just like air, food, etc.

If a severe form of preeclampsia occurs at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy, then most likely doctors decide to induce artificial birth. This is necessary in order to avoid the occurrence of eclampsia (code O15, according to the ICD) and save the baby’s life.

Preeclampsia is a pathological condition during pregnancy, which is manifested by the appearance of edema, high blood pressure and proteinuria (protein in the urine). Usually this disease develops in the second and third trimester, but sometimes it occurs earlier. According to statistics, the incidence of the disease has recently increased from 7 to 20%.

Preeclampsia is a disease that indicates serious disorders in the mother’s body, so a pregnant woman needs mandatory examination and the necessary therapy. Symptoms of the disease disrupt the normal functioning of the placenta, as a result of which the fetus does not receive sufficient nutrients and oxygen, which entails the development of hypoxia and malnutrition.

Symptoms of preeclampsia

The main symptoms include increased blood pressure, protein in the urine, swelling, weight gain due to fluid retention, headaches, abdominal pain, decreased urine output, dizziness, blurred vision, vomiting and nausea, and changes in reflexes.

The symptoms of preeclampsia depend on its severity. The most severe form of the disease, called eclampsia, in addition to the above symptoms, is characterized by the presence of seizures. Eclampsia requires immediate intervention by medical professionals and timely assistance, as it can lead to life-threatening complications.

Degrees of preeclampsia

There are three degrees of preeclampsia.

1. Mild degree (mild preeclampsia) - characterized by an increase in pressure no higher than 150/90 mm Hg. Art., proteinuria up to 1 g/l. Swelling of the lower extremities is observed. The platelet count in the blood test is not less than 180x109/l, creatinine is up to 100 µmol.

Mild preeclampsia can be asymptomatic, preventing the expectant mother from suspecting the onset of the disease. Therefore, one should not underestimate the importance of examinations and tests throughout pregnancy. This will help the doctor recognize the signs of preeclampsia at the initial stage and take the right measures to eliminate them in time.

2. Moderate degree of preeclampsia – there is an increase in blood pressure to 170/110 mm Hg. Art., protein in the urine is more than 5 g/l, the platelet count ranges from 150 to 180x109/l, creatinine from 100 to 300 µmol/l.

3. Severe preeclampsia - characterized by an increase in pressure above 170/110 mm Hg. Art., protein in urine exceeds 5 g/l, creatinine exceeds 300 µmol/l. There is a headache in the back of the head and forehead, blurred vision, which is manifested by flickering spots, pain in the right side due to swelling of the liver. Severe preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia, one of the most dangerous forms of gestosis, which is characterized by the presence of seizures. Severe preeclampsia and eclampsia are diseases that can pose a threat to the health and life of the mother and child.

Causes of preeclampsia

The exact cause of preeclampsia and eclampsia is not fully known. Some suggestions include poor maternal nutrition, high levels of body fat, and poor blood flow to the uterus. There are certain risk factors for developing this disease.

Risk factors for developing preeclampsia

Most often, this disease develops during the first pregnancy in young women, as well as in pregnant women over forty years old. A risk factor may be arterial hypertension, which was observed in a woman even before pregnancy, preeclampsia during previous pregnancies, excess weight, preeclampsia in a mother or sister. The risk group includes women who have multiple pregnancies, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus.

Treatment of preeclampsia

Treatment tactics for preeclampsia depend on the severity of the disease and the maturity of the fetus.

Mild preeclampsia requires bed rest at home or in the hospital. In particular, doctors recommend spending time lying on your back. This helps to reduce blood pressure to some extent. Constant monitoring of the condition of the mother and child is carried out with mandatory measurement of blood pressure, weighing, ultrasound and cardiotocography of the fetus, and counting of movements. When the dynamics of the disease increases, drug treatment is used.

To treat preeclampsia, magnesium sulfate is used, which prevents the development of eclampsia, as well as antihypertensive therapy, which is aimed at lowering blood pressure. In the absence of positive dynamics from the applied treatment and an increase in symptoms, artificial stimulation of labor or a cesarean section is performed.

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Preeclampsia is a complicated degree of toxicosis that occurs in women during pregnancy in the second or third trimester. Characterized by a significant increase in blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Almost every fourth pregnant woman shows signs of this disease. The risk group consists of young girls who are giving birth to their first child, and women over forty years old, provided that the first pregnancy occurs at this age.

Such a disease, depending on the general condition of the woman and the degree of manifestation of symptoms, has its own classification. Preeclampsia in pregnant women can sometimes be complicated by a disease such as, during which the same symptoms appear as during the first disease, only they are accompanied by severe convulsions, which can lead to the death of the woman and the newborn. Doctors note that out of two hundred pregnant women who express preeclampsia, only one will have eclampsia.

The main danger with such a disease is the placenta not performing its functions correctly. Such a disorder in work leads to the fact that the fetus does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which can cause improper development of the unborn baby.

It is important to know that after giving birth, all symptoms and signs of preeclampsia in a woman will go away over time. But, if medical assistance is not provided in time, the disease can lead to many complications and disastrous consequences.

Etiology

The causes of preeclampsia in pregnant women are not fully understood, but doctors agree that this disease has its own specific causes, including:

  • age during pregnancy. Girls under 22 years of age who are giving birth for the first time and women over forty are more susceptible to this condition;
  • internal pathological processes in the body that prevent the normal flow of blood into the uterus;
  • poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyle during pregnancy;
  • hereditary factor. If a close relative of a pregnant woman also suffered from such a disease at one time, then the risk of preeclampsia increases;
  • previous pregnancies - provided that the father of the children is the same man;
  • bearing two, three or more fruits;
  • compaction of the placenta;
  • various kidney lesions;
  • deviation from the norm in the amount of fluid around the fetus.

Varieties

Preeclampsia in pregnant women can be divided depending on the individual pathogenesis of the disease. This classification consists of several degrees:

  • mild preeclampsia - pressure increases to 150 to 90, protein is not detected in the urine;
  • moderate preeclampsia - pressure 170 over 110, the amount of protein in the urine is at least 5 grams per liter of fluid, swelling appears;
  • severe preeclampsia - the pressure is the same as with moderate preeclampsia, the amount of protein in the urine is more than 5 grams, vision deteriorates, severe swelling.

In order to prevent the development of the second and third degrees of preeclampsia, it is necessary to diagnose the mildest degree in a timely manner. To do this, a woman during pregnancy must take monthly and. Severe preeclampsia poses a danger to the health of the woman and the life of the baby.

This classification is always used in medical practice; doctors can use it to determine whether to induce labor artificially or not, since this is what will allow, in some cases, to save the lives of both mother and baby.

Symptoms

In addition to the main symptoms of the disease - increased blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine, preeclampsia can be expressed by the following symptoms:

  • swelling of the arms, legs and face (of varying intensity), depending on the severity;
  • weight gain, which is associated with stopping the removal of excess fluid from the body;
  • decreased visual acuity;
  • severe headaches;
  • discomfort in the lower abdomen;
  • intoxication of the body;
  • fast fatiguability;
  • increased irritability and apathy;
  • decreased performance;
  • inattention and forgetfulness;
  • acquisition of a yellowish tint to the skin (appears due to liver dysfunction).

If you provide a woman with proper help in time, then after childbirth all signs of the disease will disappear within a few weeks. But in the case when seizures are added to one or more of the above symptoms, this means that this disease has become complicated to the level of eclampsia and urgent treatment is needed in the hospital. If this is not done, after the next attack of convulsions, the woman may fall into a coma or die.

Complications

If you delay the treatment of preeclampsia, this can have a detrimental effect on the health of not only the mother, but also the newborn. The consequences of such a disorder for the mother:

  • the appearance of eclampsia;
  • increase in pressure to a critical level;
  • premature birth;
  • placental abruption;
  • disruption of internal organs;
  • internal bleeding;
  • death.

Complications that threaten the baby:

  • fetal underdevelopment;
  • pathologies in the structure or functioning of certain organs;
  • low body weight;
  • consequences typical for a premature baby;
  • stillbirth;
  • death within a few days after birth.

In order to prevent such serious consequences from occurring, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner so that he can diagnose and begin treatment for preeclampsia at an early stage, and, if necessary, immediately induce labor, after which the patient and her baby will feel better.

Diagnostics

Preeclampsia can only be diagnosed by a qualified specialist in a clinical setting. To do this, the doctor, first of all, collects a complete list of the patient’s complaints, finds out what symptoms caused discomfort and how long they lasted, determines the degree of the disease, according to the above classification, and finds out the possible causes. Conducts an examination to confirm swelling. In addition, the patient must undergo tests:

  • blood - to study the composition and determine coagulability;
  • urine collected per day to detect protein.

After this, you need to undergo examinations using ultrasound of the fetus and organs located in close proximity to the uterus. Consult an ophthalmologist.

Treatment

Treatment of preeclampsia depends on the pathogenesis of the disease. So, the mildest type is treated by observing rest in the clinic or at home, measuring the woman’s weight and blood pressure. You also need to monitor the composition of urine and the number of movements that the fetus performs. If this degree was diagnosed in the last stages, then the best method of therapy will be childbirth, after which the health of the new mother will become much better. If preeclampsia was detected in the sixth or seventh month, treatment will also be aimed at prolonging the pregnancy in order to avoid premature birth.

Second and third degrees of preeclampsia are treated only in a clinical setting, because there is a risk of complications. During the time spent in the hospital, right up to the birth, the patient is monitored around the clock by an anesthesiologist-resuscitator.

The main thing in the treatment of severe forms of preeclampsia is to normalize vital signs and reduce the intensity of signs of the disease. If a woman is less than thirty weeks pregnant at this time, but drug treatment does not help her, doctors are forced to artificially induce labor and perform a caesarean section - the life of the child cannot always be saved. Within up to two weeks after birth, all symptoms of preeclampsia should subside.

Prevention

Prevention of preeclampsia consists of:

  • pregnancy planning;
  • undergoing examinations and tests before planning the birth of children;
  • treatment of diseases that can cause preeclampsia;
  • monthly visits to doctors during pregnancy;
  • avoiding highly salty and fatty foods;
  • a balanced diet, including a large amount of vitamins and nutrients;
  • constant monitoring of blood pressure;
  • maintaining a healthy lifestyle not only during pregnancy, but also after childbirth.

Is everything in the article correct from a medical point of view?

Answer only if you have proven medical knowledge

Preeclampsia is a pathological condition in pregnant women, which is characterized by increased blood pressure, fluid retention (edema) and the appearance of protein in the urine (proteinuria). The disease is most often diagnosed between the 20th week of pregnancy and the first after childbirth, that is, in the second and third trimesters. However, preeclampsia can develop earlier.

Eclampsia is a severe type of preeclampsia that is accompanied by seizures or coma. The danger of the disease lies in the early detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall. In 0.5% of cases, in the absence of timely treatment, eclampsia leads to death.

Preeclampsia affects about 20% of pregnant women, and previously this figure was only 5%, which indicates the progression of the disease. The disease occurs during the first pregnancy, as well as in women who complained of high blood pressure or blood vessel diseases before pregnancy.

Causes of preeclampsia

Today, it is impossible to say exactly what leads to the development of preeclampsia, since the causes have not yet been fully studied. But there are still risk factors that can affect the incidence of women:

  • First pregnancy;
  • Preeclampsia in female relatives;
  • The pregnant woman is over 40 years old;
  • Diabetes;
  • Multiple pregnancy;
  • Obesity;
  • Arterial pressure;
  • Arterial hypertension before pregnancy;
  • Kidney pathologies;
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus;
  • Rheumatoid arthritis and some others.

Symptoms of preeclampsia

This disease is characterized by symptoms such as increased pressure over 140 to 90 mm. rt. Art., swelling of the hands and face, the presence of protein in the urine, which is confirmed only by an appropriate analysis. Sometimes a woman’s blood pressure rises during pregnancy, but does not reach the above-mentioned level, however, if other signs are present, they speak of a diagnosis of “preeclampsia”.

Children born to sick mothers are 5 times more susceptible to various disorders and diseases in the first days after birth than those born to women without preeclampsia. These newborns are often underweight or born premature.

In addition to the main symptoms of preeclampsia, the following changes in a woman’s condition are observed:

  • Stomach ache;
  • Rapid weight gain that does not correspond to the norm;
  • Dizziness;
  • Change in reflexes;
  • Severe nausea and vomiting, not typical for the second and third trimesters;
  • Decreased amount of urine;
  • Severe headaches caused by high blood pressure.

With severe preeclampsia, the following complications are observed:

  • Destruction of red blood cells;
  • A decrease in the number of platelets, which indicates a blood clotting disorder, is the greatest danger for mother and baby;
  • An increase in the content of liver enzymes, which indicates damage to this organ.

If a woman is diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, then delivery is carried out by cesarean section, since it is the fastest and most accessible method.

Degrees of preeclampsia

There are three degrees of preeclampsia:

  • Mild pre-eclampsia - pressure increase no higher than 150/90 mm Hg. Art. and protein concentration in urine up to 1 g/l. The patient has swelling of the legs. With mild preeclampsia, the platelet count does not fall below 180x109/l, creatinine - up to 100 µmol. This stage can occur without any pronounced symptoms, so expectant mothers sometimes have no idea about the disease. It is not for nothing that gynecologists recommend undergoing routine examinations before pregnancy in a timely manner and registering with a gynecologist as early as possible. It is the timely completion of all necessary tests that allows us to identify preeclampsia at a mild stage;
  • The average degree of preeclampsia is characterized by an increase in pressure to 170/110 mm Hg. Art., protein content in urine - more than 5 g/l, platelets in blood - from 150 to 180x109/l, creatinine - 100-300 µmol/l. At this stage, swelling of the lower extremities and anterior abdominal wall is observed, and headaches are possible;
  • Severe preeclampsia - increased blood pressure above 170/110 mmHg. Art., protein concentration in urine is more than 5 g/l, creatinine is more than 300 µmol/l. Patients suffer from pain in the back of the head and forehead, visual impairment, which is manifested by flickering lights or spots. Also, severe preeclampsia is characterized by pain in the liver, which indicates its swelling.

Severe preeclampsia often develops into eclampsia - the most dangerous form of gestosis, which can cause convulsions. Advanced stages of the disease pose a threat to the health of both mother and child.

Diagnosis and treatment of preeclampsia

To determine the presence and degree of preeclampsia, it is necessary to regularly carry out the following activities as part of gynecological control:

  • Measure blood pressure regularly;
  • Monitor weight gain once a month;
  • Take a blood test for hemostasis;
  • Take a urine test for protein content;
  • Take a blood test for uric acid, urea and creatinine levels;
  • Monitor liver enzyme levels using a blood chemistry test.

Treatment of preeclampsia is carried out with medications, diet therapy and bed rest. After the birth of the child, the signs of the disease disappear, but a number of measures must be observed during and after pregnancy to avoid complications for the baby and mother in the future.

Treatment of preeclampsia gives positive results if diuretics are used, which remove excess fluid from the body. It is also recommended to reduce your salt intake, which is known to retain fluid.

During pregnancy with a diagnosis of preeclampsia, bed rest must be observed. Most of the time you should lie on your left side, because in this position the pressure on the large vein in the abdominal cavity that carries blood to the heart is minimal. As a result, blood circulation improves and symptoms decrease.

To lower blood pressure, intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate is indicated. Even with mild preeclampsia, treatment may be necessary if the condition suddenly worsens, from which no one is immune. In this case, the patient is placed in a hospital and all indicators are constantly monitored.

If the disease becomes severe and treatment is ineffective, the pregnancy is terminated surgically. Delivery is carried out only when the blood pressure has been normalized with the help of medications.

In 25% of cases, eclampsia as a type of preeclampsia manifests itself after childbirth during the first days. Then they use drugs that normalize blood pressure and sedatives. Patients stay in the hospital from several days to several weeks, depending on their condition.

After discharge, you will need to take medications that stabilize your blood pressure for some time, and also visit your doctor every two weeks. If the blood pressure remains high 2 months after birth, then the cause of this phenomenon is not related to preeclampsia.