What is pre-eclampsia, what are the symptoms and risks of high blood pressure in pregnancy and is it the same as toxemia?
Plus, who's most at risk of developing it
WHETHER you’re fully aware of the condition pre-eclampsia, or just know it’s something to do with pregnancy and high blood pressure, it’s worth understanding the risks.
Here’s everything you need to know about the condition, which has affected celebrities including Kim Kardashian in the past.
What is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects pregnant women, usually after the 20-week mark or straight after their baby is delivered.
Early signs include having high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in their urine (proteinuria).
Mild pre-eclampsia affects up to six per cent of pregnancies, while severe cases develop in up to two per cent.
The exact cause of the condition is currently unknown, but it’s thought to occur when there’s a problem with the placenta.
There are also several factors that increase the chance of developing the condition, including having a family history of it, being over 40 or expecting multiple babies.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of pre-eclampsia include:
- swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands
- severe headache
- vision problems
- pain just below the ribs
However many people don’t notice the signs of pre-eclampsia, which means it’s usually picked up during routine antenatal appointments.
What are the risks of high blood pressure during pregnancy?
Most cases of pre-eclampsia cause no problems and improve soon after the baby is delivered. However, there's a risk that the mother will develop fits called ‘eclampsia’.
These fits can be life threatening for the mother and baby, but thankfully they're rare.
High blood pressure is defined as blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm Hg.
Unhealthy lifestyle choices can increase the risk of developing it during pregnancy.
For example, being overweight and not exercising.
Women experiencing their first pregnancy are also more likely to develop high blood pressure.
The good news is that there’s a lower chance of it happening during subsequent pregnancies with the same partner.
Is pre-eclampsia the same thing as toxemia?
Toxemia is actually the former name for pre-eclampsia.
In both cases, the condition is marked by high blood pressure during pregnancy in women who have previously not experienced it.
In most cases, the condition appears later on in pregnancy.
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Kim Kardashian’s experience
Kim Kardashian is one celebrity who suffered from pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
The condition affected the reality star during her first pregnancy, with North West in 2013.
Because of the seriousness of her condition, Kim’s doctors decided to induce her labour early, at 34 weeks.