INTRODUCTION
Preeclampsia is a condition in Pregnancy usually characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, known as proteinuria. It normally occurs after twenty weeks of pregnancy. This is a condition that has led to the second cause of maternal deaths in the world. Although the cause of preeclampsia is yet to be unveiled, medical experts do believe that the placenta is the common cause of preeclampsia and usually occurs when the blood vessels linked to the placenta fail to develop or work properly, leading to irregular regulation of blood pressure in the mother. Commonly referred to as the silent killer, it is therefore advisable for expectant mothers to start antenatal clinics as they realize they are pregnant to be monitored for preeclampsia and any other abnormalities related to Pregnancy and get treated as early as possible.
THE THREAT OF PREECLAMPSIA OR DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH PREECLAMPSIA
Other causes that might lead to preeclampsia also include; Preeclampsia in previous Pregnancy though is not an assurance that it might occur again, family history of preeclampsia, carrying multiple fetuses, chronic high blood pressure that was diagnosed before Pregnancy, kidney disease, huge weight gain among others. Therefore, it is always advisable to give any relevant information to healthcare providers during antenatal visits. This enables them to watch out for any signs associated with the condition and offer guidance on how it may be tackled.
Symptoms of preeclampsia are excess protein in urine; thus, the urine appears in the form of coke and has foams, high blood pressure usually above 140/90, severe headaches that do not go away even after taking painkillers, blurred vision, temporary loss of vision, nausea and pain in the upper quadrant. Additionally, in the case of sudden weight gain or swelling of the face and hands, please do reach out to be medically assisted.
Uncontrollable preeclampsia leads to fetal growth restriction, preterm birth that is when a child is born without reaching the gestational age of 36-40 weeks, placenta abruption( Placenta detaches itself from the uterus and is characterized by excessive bleeding), heart problems, HELLP Syndrome, Eclampsia, damage of other organs like the liver and death both to the fetus and the mother. Upon onset of preeclampsia, the first thing doctors recommend is delivery; thus may give injections to mature the fetus’s lungs, administer high blood pressure medication and advise the patient to be on bed rest for some time.
Doctors focus on delivery to terminate the placenta because it is believed to have caused the problem. Preterm babies survive; hence patients diagnosed with preeclampsia should not decline to opt for delivery at its onset. This is because the main aim is to save the life of both the mother and the baby. Preeclampsia may be prevented by prescribing low-dose aspirin to high-risk expectant mothers, usually at twelve weeks gestation. Mothers expecting to conceive should also watch out for their weight before conceiving. Patients who have had it before Should consider consulting with a high-risk gynecologist before conceiving to be guided.
CONCLUSION
In Conclusion, motherhood is a journey. Thus, we should help expectant mothers by educating them about pregnancy-related dangers, especially preeclampsia. Although the steps are small and slow, we shall surely overcome them.
