{"id":1503,"date":"2022-05-09T13:27:24","date_gmt":"2022-05-09T13:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/?p=1503"},"modified":"2022-06-07T13:30:05","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T13:30:05","slug":"preeclampsia-how-high-blood-pressure-can-affect-your-pregnancy-and-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/preeclampsia-how-high-blood-pressure-can-affect-your-pregnancy-and-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"Preeclampsia: How High Blood Pressure Can Affect Your Pregnancy and Baby"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Are you experiencing high blood pressure during pregnancy?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You may be diagnosed with preeclampsia, a life-threatening blood pressure condition that is often diagnosed after the 20<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> week of pregnancy or after giving birth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marchofdimes.org\/complications\/preeclampsia.aspx#:~:text=Preeclampsia%20is%20a%20serious%20health,2%20to%208%20in%20100).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">March of Dimes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u201cPreeclampsia affects 2-8%\u00a0 percent of pregnancies worldwide and is the cause of 15% of premature births in the United States.\u201d Most women who are diagnosed with preeclampsia give birth to healthy babies as long as they seek treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That is why regular prenatal and postpartum appointments with your OB-GYN are critical for both your health and the health of the baby.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Preeclampsia?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition that&#8217;s characterized by high blood pressure and a higher concentration of protein in urine during pregnancy which can negatively impact the heart and other organs of the mother. What\u2019s more, preeclampsia can cause poor placenta blood supply. In more severe cases, it can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs or even hinder the functionality of the liver and kidneys. Namely, when the protein levels in urine are higher than average, this suggests a kidney dysfunction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Women who are pregnant for the first time tend to develop preeclampsia more often. In some cases, it&#8217;s not easy to pinpoint the exact cause. But here are the most common risk factors for preeclampsia:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Obesity and\/or diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A history of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">preeclampsia in the family<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Being pregnant with multiples<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Past and\/or current issues with high blood pressure or kidney disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Autoimmune diseases such as lupus<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>What are the Common Symptoms of Preeclampsia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-1505 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up Photo of a Young Woman, Who Is Sitting on a Sofa With Her Eyes Closed, Touching Her Head While Suffering From a Migraine.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27628%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201000%20628%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27628%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-200x126.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-320x202.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-400x251.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-600x377.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-700x441.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-768x482.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia-800x502.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/06\/What-are-the-Common-Symptoms-of-Preeclampsia.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s possible for women with preeclampsia to show no apparent symptoms whatsoever. On the other hand, those that do show signs most commonly start with high blood pressure and high levels of protein in urine during pregnancy, leading to water retention, swelling, and weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Other potential preeclampsia signs include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pain in the right side of the abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sensitivity to light or blurry vision, sometimes with dark spots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Swelling of the face or hands\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Headaches<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The more severe symptoms of preeclampsia include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Extremely high blood pressure, around or higher than 160\/110 mmHg<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fluid buildup in the lungs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reduced production of urine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Impaired function of liver or kidneys<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lower levels of blood platelets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s crucial to report the above-mentioned and any other unusual symptoms you may have during pregnancy and after the delivery to your OB-GYN. It&#8217;s possible to develop preeclampsia postpartum, and signs of postpartum preeclampsia are pretty much the same as the ones during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If a woman experiences any of the severe preeclampsia symptoms, she may have to be admitted to the hospital or even prepared for an emergency delivery. It is not uncommon for the doctor to prescribe medications to manage the patient\u2019s blood pressure or promote the development of the baby&#8217;s lungs as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Can Preeclampsia Be Cured or Prevented?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Generally speaking, there is no actual cure for preeclampsia. If preeclampsia develops during pregnancy, the symptoms should disappear after giving birth. However, it&#8217;s also possible to develop preeclampsia post-delivery, which is why it is so important to be adequately monitored by the doctor even after giving birth to your child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Women who have a family history of preeclampsia can minimize their risks of developing it during or after pregnancy by:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maintaining a healthy body weight even before conception<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checking your blood sugar levels and blood pressure regularly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keeping up with a regular workout routine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Creating a regular sleeping pattern to get enough rest at night<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Limiting caffeine intake when possible<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Eating healthy foods and avoiding foods with a high-salt content<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are pregnant and you&#8217;re at risk of developing preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend taking a daily dose of baby aspirin, sometimes as early as week 12 of pregnancy. In general, this particular treatment has been found to lower the risk of preeclampsia by about 15%.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Symptoms of preeclampsia should go away after giving birth, anywhere between a couple of days and a couple of weeks. However, some women could still experience high blood pressure due to preeclampsia post-delivery as well. This will require treatment with medications. What&#8217;s more, it&#8217;s important to mention that developing preeclampsia early in the pregnancy could suggest issues with heart disease and high blood pressure later in life. Therefore, it&#8217;s crucial to take the necessary health measures to minimize these risks as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the Signs of Postpartum Preeclampsia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first signs of postpartum preeclampsia could show up within days of giving birth or after a couple of weeks. Look for similar symptoms to the preeclampsia symptoms during pregnancy, such as headaches, nausea, abdominal pain focused on the right side, seeing dark spots, and swelling. Preeclampsia, even if it starts after giving birth, can still be very dangerous if ignored and lead to organ damage, seizures, and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>When Should You Call the Doctor?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Preeclampsia is a life-threatening issue that could even be fatal. It&#8217;s paramount to keep all doctor&#8217;s appointments and never skip the scheduled urine and blood tests. If you experience any symptoms of preeclampsia, contact your doctor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s sometimes challenging to differentiate when to contact the doctor and when to go right to the nearest hospital emergency room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The following symptoms are indications for an ER visit:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sharp pains in the right side of your abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blurry vision with dark spots that don&#8217;t seem to disappear<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Severe headaches that don&#8217;t seem to diminish<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Convulsing or twitching like having a seizure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The biggest issue with preeclampsia is it can develop without any apparent symptoms This is why it&#8217;s so important to keep all your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/pregnancy-week-by-week\/in-depth\/prenatal-care\/art-20044882\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">prenatal appointments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and remain very transparent and honest with all the symptoms you might notice while pregnant \u2013 and even after giving birth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Knowledge is power. Knowing the risk factors and symptoms and seeking treatment are the key to maternal health and the health of the baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a family history of preeclampsia? Planning to have a baby soon? Schedule a visit to either our Doral or South Miami office.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you experiencing high blood pressure during pregnancy? You may be diagnosed with preeclampsia, a life-threatening blood pressure condition that is often diagnosed after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth.\u00a0 According to the March of Dimes, \u201cPreeclampsia affects 2-8%\u00a0 percent of pregnancies worldwide and is the cause of 15% of premature births  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[258,259,260,261,262],"class_list":["post-1503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","tag-high-blood-pressure","tag-preeclampsia-post-delivery","tag-preeclampsia-postpartum","tag-protein-in-urine-during-pregnancy","tag-signs-of-postpartum-preeclampsia"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1503"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1503\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}