Preeclampsia is a medical condition that occurs midway through pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks. Some of the symptoms present in this condition include high blood pressure, protein in their urine, swelling, headaches and blurred vision. This condition goes away after a baby is delivered. When individuals have preeclampsia, their blood pressure is elevated to higher than 140/90 mmHg. Other symptoms of this condition include blurry vision or light sensitivity, right side abdominal pain, swelling in the hands and face, and shortness of breath. Preeclampsia puts stress on your heart and other organs and can cause serious complications. For instance, it can affect blood supply to the placenta, impaired liver and kidney function and cause fluid to build up in the lungs. The protein in your urine is a sign of kidney dysfunction.

Suprisingly, about 8% of all deliveries worldwide result in preeclampsia. In the United States, it’s the cause of about 15% of premature deliveries that is delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Although preeclampsia is increasingly common among first-time mothers, it is likely to develop among women with obesity, autoimmune conditions history of high blood pressure, kidney disease, or diabetes. Individuals with severe preeclampsia may be admitted to the hospital for closer observation or need to deliver the baby as soon as possible. Healthcare provider may give such patients medications for high blood pressure or to help the fetus’s lungs develop before delivery.

Preeclampsia is believed to come from a problem with the health of the placenta, which is the organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy and is responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. The blood supply to the placenta might be decreased in preeclampsia, and this can lead to problems with both the woman and the fetus. This condition can cause preterm delivery, which increases the risk for health complications like low birth weight and respiratory issues. APA