{"id":768662,"date":"2018-10-03T08:00:33","date_gmt":"2018-10-03T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/54.152.61.190\/?p=768662"},"modified":"2019-10-29T16:16:35","modified_gmt":"2019-10-29T21:16:35","slug":"preeclampsia-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-common-complication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bumpboxes.com\/blog\/preeclampsia-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-common-complication\/","title":{"rendered":"Preeclampsia: What You Need to Know About This Common Complication"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you find out you\u2019re pregnant, you likely assume you will have a completely healthy pregnancy. Complications during pregnancy are not often at the top of any expecting mama\u2019s mind, but being aware of the possibility and the signs to look for is the best thing you can do for your health and that of your growing little one. The most common complication of pregnancy is preeclampsia, but many women are unaware of what it is or what it entails until it happens to them.<\/p>\n

Preeclampsia is a condition during pregnancy where there is a sudden rise in blood pressure and swelling, usually in the face, hands and feet.  When ignored or left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, which can cause convulsions and comas, and in some cases, is fatal. Preeclampsia affects 3 to 5 percent of pregnancies, so being aware of what to look for is imperative for your health.<\/p>\n

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When to Watch for It<\/b><\/h3>\n

There are no known exact causes of preeclampsia, but it is assumed that it involves the blood vessels of your placenta, as well as your genetics. Take a look at your family history, and ask your mother, aunts, grandmothers if they had any issues with preeclampsia.<\/p>\n

Symptoms will typically begin to show around your 20th week of pregnancy, and can even continue all the way up until a month after your delivery. You should always<\/b> be paying attention to and listening to your body during your pregnancy \u2014 if anything seems strange or off in your health, be sure to speak with your medical provider immediately.  Better safe than sorry.<\/p>\n

What to Look for<\/b><\/h3>\n

There are a large range of symptoms or signs of preeclampsia, so make sure you\u2019re aware and looking for all of them. If you experience any of the below, call your doctor right away.<\/b><\/p>\n

Spike in blood pressure.<\/b> Your doctor should be monitoring your blood pressure at each of your prenatal appointments, but make sure you\u2019re aware of it yourself. Any blood pressure reading greater than 140\/90 is a sign of preeclampsia.<\/p>\n

Rapid weight gain.<\/b> During pregnancy, it\u2019s healthy to gain some weight as you\u2019re growing your tiny human. However, if you see a sudden change in your weight over the course of a day or two, it should cause a little alarm.<\/p>\n

Abnormal swelling.<\/b> Preeclampsia can cause a sudden swelling in your face, hands and eyes. If your face appears puffy or your hands feel uncomfortable and swollen, it\u2019s time to see the doctor.<\/p>\n

Severe headache or blurred vision.<\/b> Blurred vision should always cause some concern, but especially when paired with a severe headache or migraine. Don\u2019t try to power through these!<\/p>\n

Excessive vomiting.<\/b> If you\u2019re experiencing something that feels like more than morning sickness, call your doctor!<\/p>\n

Decreased urination<\/b>. You should be hydrating like crazy during pregnancy, which will always result in extra bathroom trips. If you\u2019re starting to notice you have stopped swinging into every bathroom but are still drinking the same, check in with your self.<\/p>\n

What Complications Does It Cause?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Preeclampsia doesn\u2019t just cause your blood pressure to rise and make your extremities swell \u2014 it can also cause some pretty scary complications on top of it, which is why it\u2019s so important for you to watch for the symptoms.<\/p>\n