Submitted by Dele Ogunleye, MD, Advanced Women’s Healthcare
Swelling? Sleeplessness? Headaches that just won’t go away? These may seem like normal symptoms of pregnancy but, in reality, they may also be caused by a serious condition called preeclampsia. Many women are aware that preeclampsia is something that can occur during pregnancy but they don’t know what it is and what symptoms to be on the lookout for.
Preeclampsia, sometimes called toxemia, is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs during pregnancy. It is a disease of the placenta that impacts both mother and baby and is among the top five leading causes of death in pregnant women. Preeclampsia occurs in almost 10 percent of all pregnancies, typically during the second and third trimesters. When preeclampsia occurs before 34 weeks of pregnancy, it’s known as early-onset preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is most commonly associated with high blood pressure — something that is monitored during routine checkups with your doctor or midwife. While high blood pressure is usually the first symptom, it isn’t something you would notice yourself. There are many other symptoms that should not be ignored including:
- Excessive swelling of hands, feet, and face
- Nausea later in pregnancy
- Persistent headaches
- Sleeplessness
- Stomach pain
- Visual disturbances
- A sense of malaise that won’t go away
The current treatment standard for early-onset preeclampsia is “expectant management,” whereby the mother is admitted to the hospital where she and her baby will be closely cared for and monitored. The goal of expectant management is to allow the mother to safely remain pregnant so that the baby has more time to develop before it is born. More time in the womb means fewer complications when the baby is
At this time, there are no medications approved in the United States for specifically treating this condition. The only way to stop preeclampsia from becoming eclampsia is to deliver the baby. This means that mothers with early onset preeclampsia might have to deliver before their baby is fully developed.
Dele Ogunleye, M.D., provides a full range of obstetric and gynecologic services. He is subspecialized in urogynecology so he has particular expertise in treating pelvic floor disorders. You may contact Dr. Ogunleye at Advanced Women’s Healthcare at 309-808-3068 or www.awhcare.com. His office is located at 2111 East Oakland Avenue (Next to the Jewel-Osco Plaza).