Signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Lai Thi Nguyet Hang - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
Pregnancy can cause a number of health problems, and most of this change goes away after the baby is born. However, some conditions become more serious, including preeclampsia. Postpartum preeclampsia can lead to seizures and other complications in the mother.

1. What is postpartum preeclampsia?

Postpartum pre-eclampsia is a rare condition but can still occur 48 to 72 hours after the baby is born. This condition begins with sudden high blood pressure and detection of excess protein in the urine. Onset of postpartum preeclampsia can occur 48 hours to about a month postpartum in some cases, commonly referred to as late preeclampsia.
According to experts, preeclampsia can start in some women during pregnancy but show no signs or symptoms until the baby is born.
Postpartum preeclampsia affects about 600 women each year but is difficult to quantify because some women develop preeclampsia after childbirth, while others develop it only after Birth. According to the American Foundation for Preeclampsia, about 15% of patients go on to experience a more severe form of the condition: eclampsia.

2. Who is at high risk for postpartum preeclampsia?

It's difficult to determine who will develop preeclampsia after childbirth, but several factors have been shown to increase the risk of it, including: high blood pressure during pregnancy or high blood pressure after pregnancy. 20 weeks, had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy.
If a woman has been diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia at the same time in previous pregnancies, this is also a possible warning sign.
The risk of preeclampsia may also be increased in obese, overweight mothers.

3. Signs of pre-eclampsia after birth

Some warning signs of postpartum preeclampsia may include:
The mother's blood pressure rises to 140/90 or more Excess protein in the urine Nausea or vomiting The mother feels severe headaches Severe Sudden, sharp, sharp pain in the abdomen, especially under the right ribs Very little urine output Sudden weight gain (about 1kg or more in a week) Sudden shortness of breath Face and limbs may swelling Vision may be temporarily lost or blurred. Eyes may become hypersensitive to light When any of the above symptoms appear, immediately contact a doctor or take the mother to the hospital immediately for examination and treatment.
If not treated in time, postpartum preeclampsia can cause a number of other complications, including:
Postpartum eclampsia: The signs of postpartum eclampsia are similar to those of preeclampsia, and also may lead to convulsions. Eclampsia can permanently damage vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, and brain. In addition, if not treated promptly, patients with eclampsia are at risk of coma, even death. Thrombosis: this is a combination of two conditions: pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients with thrombosis present with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and fever. Severe cases can be fatal. Stroke: This condition occurs when the brain is deprived of blood supply, leading to dysfunction of many organs in the body Pulmonary edema: Occurs when fluid accumulates in the lung tissue. Signs include difficulty breathing, excessive sweating, coughing up blood...

4. Treatment and prevention of postpartum preeclampsia

If a woman has these symptoms and her doctor suspects that she has postpartum preeclampsia, the first thing to do is to go to the hospital for evaluation and treatment immediately.
Postpartum preeclampsia after childbirth is usually diagnosed with tests, including blood and urine tests. Check your blood to determine your platelet count and check to see if your liver and kidneys are working properly. In addition, the urine is also tested to check how much protein is in it. If protein levels are higher than normal, this could be the cause of postpartum preeclampsia.
Usually, postpartum preeclampsia will be treated with anticonvulsants, usually taken for 24 hours. After the patient takes the medication, the doctor will check the blood pressure, urine, and other symptoms. In cases where your blood pressure is still very high and higher than normal, your doctor may prescribe antihypertensive drugs to treat it.
Until now, there is still no measure to prevent postpartum preeclampsia, so pregnant women need to listen to their body and recognize the unusual signs of the body for timely examination and treatment. time. In addition, pregnant women need to pay attention to their own health to reduce risk factors for postpartum preeclampsia, such as:
Maintain body weight: Before planning a pregnancy , you need to pay attention to weight control. Women who are obese or underweight are at increased risk for many problems, including preeclampsia. Make a reasonable, healthy diet: In the daily diet, it is necessary to make sure to add vitamins, minerals and foods rich in antioxidants. This will help you maintain a normal blood pressure level throughout your pregnancy. Drink enough water: Pregnant women should drink plenty of water and milk. Fruit juices containing sugar should be avoided. Limit alcohol and caffeine drinks Regular visits: Pregnant women need to visit the doctor regularly and have their blood pressure checked during pregnancy. Your doctor will detect pre-eclampsia in the early stages if you regularly check it.

In the last 3 months of pregnancy, the health of both mother and baby needs to be closely monitored and checked. Pregnant women need:
Know the real signs of labor to get to the hospital in time, affecting the health of the fetus. Differentiate between amniotic fluid and vaginal discharge for timely treatment to avoid premature birth, fetal distress, and stillbirth. Be especially careful when bleeding in the last 3 months of pregnancy needs urgent emergency care to ensure the life of both mother and baby. Monitor the amount of amniotic fluid regularly and continuously. Monitor fetal weight in the last 3 months to assess baby's development and predict possible risks at birth. The special monitoring group is the same as the striker, and the fetal growth retardation needs to be closely monitored by the doctor and given appropriate indications. Distinguish between physiological contractions, labor contractions and mechanical pregnancy to get to the hospital in time. Maternity service package at Vinmec helps pregnant women's pregnancy become lighter and safer. During pregnancy, pregnant women will be examined by top doctors in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department with high professional qualifications and experience, giving the best advice and treatment for the health of both mother and child. little.
For detailed information about all-inclusive maternity service packages, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec Health system nationwide.

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Reference source: babycenter.com