• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Gettyimages 516144866

Preeclampsia: Signs and Symptoms

Aug 21, 2018 |
By Rajiv Gala, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

During pregnancy, your body is going through so many changes and it can be hard to differentiate a normal symptom of pregnancy from a larger issue.

What is it?

Preeclampsia is a disorder affecting mothers that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It is a rapidly progressive condition, seen in 5-8% of all pregnancies characterized by high blood pressure and other symptoms such as severe headache, blind spots in vision, or pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. There is also sometimes the presence of new protein in urine. Many women suffering from preeclampsia don’t feel sick and may be surprised or become frustrated when they are suddenly admitted to the hospital.

What are some signs and symptoms?

High blood pressure: This is one of the biggest red flags that preeclampsia may be developing. High blood pressure is traditionally defined as blood pressure of 140/90 or greater, measured on two separate occasions six hours apart. During pregnancy, a rise in the lower number (diastolic) of 15 degrees or more, or a rise in the upper number (systolic) of 30 degrees or more can also be a cause for concern.

Proteinuria, another sign of preeclampsia, is the result of proteins (normally confined to the blood by the filtering role of your kidney) spilling into your urine. This is because preeclampsia temporarily damages this “filter.” Albumin, as well as many other proteins, are lost this way.
A certain amount of swelling is normal during pregnancy, but accumulation of excess fluid can be a concern when it occurs in your face, around your eyes, or in your hands.
Dull or severe, throbbing headaches, often described as migraine-like that just won't go away are cause for concern.

Sharp, more acute pain in your ribs may be a sign of HELLP Syndrome or a related problem in the liver.
Vision changes are one of the most serious symptoms of preeclampsia. They may be associated with central nervous system irritation or be an indication of swelling of the brain (cerebral edema).
Shortness of breath, a racing pulse, mental confusion, a heightened sense of anxiety, and a sense of impending doom can be symptoms of preeclampsia. If these symptoms are new to you, they could indicate an elevated blood pressure, or more rarely, fluid collecting in your lungs (pulmonary edema).

What can I do to prevent preeclampsia?

  • At prenatal appointments, make sure you get weighed in, get your blood pressure checked and your urine tested for protein. Do not be afraid to question your provider if any of these tests are omitted.
  • Eat a diet full of vitamins, minerals and the basic food groups and reduce your consumption of processed foods, refined sugars and caffeine. Eliminating alcohol and any medication not prescribed by a physician is also essential.
  • If you think your face is becoming excessively puffy, find a picture of yourself from just before pregnancy to share with your healthcare provider. If the swelling in your hands and feet becomes severe, you may notice “pitting edema” (when you press your thumb into your skin, an indentation remains for a few seconds) or discoloration of your legs. If you suspect this kind of edema, notify your healthcare provider.
  • If you have tried taking over-the-counter medication without relief for a headache or if your headache is very painful, and accompanied by light sensitivity, or vision changes, check your blood pressure and call your provider immediately for their recommendations.

During pregnancy, it’s important to trust your instincts, and if something feels off, never be afraid to call and discuss it with your provider. The worst outcomes of preeclampsia can be avoided if symptoms are recognized early.

Tags
preeclampsia
pregnancy

You may also be interested in:

Thinkstockphotos 858413030 Pregnant
Prevention & Wellness
Nov 10, 2020

Skin Care Product Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy

You may be wondering "is all makeup safe to wear during pregnancy?" Check out the list of what skin care ingredients to avoid when pregnant.
By Rajiv Gala, MD
Thinkstockphotos 675068336 Digital Pregnancy
Health Trends
Jan 22, 2018

Digital Trends in Pregnancy Care

Today’s mothers-to-be have so many convenient digital tools at their fingertips.
Thinkstockphotos 458819263  Woman Meeting With Obstetrician In Clinic
Women's Health
Jun 11, 2015

First Pregnancy? 7 Questions to Ask Your OB

If you’re experiencing pregnancy for the first time, below are some questions and topics to discuss with your OB/GYN on your first visit, in addition to some answers to help give you a head start.
By Veronica Gillispie, MD

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide