What are the signs/symptoms?
Symptoms of preeclampsia can include many or all of the following:
140/90 taken twice 6 hours apart or 30mm Hg (Systolic)/15 mm Hg (diastolic) increase taken twice 6 hours apart over your baseline BP reading
Swelling (hands, face, feet)
Headaches
Vision changes (spots, blurred vision, sparklies, flashing lights)
Upper right quadrant stomach pain/right shoulder pain
Protein in the urine 2+ on the dipstick and/or 300mg in a 24 hr urine
Nausea and/or vomiting
Reduction in the amount of urine and/or changes in the color of your urine (cola colored)
Weight gain (more than 2lbs in a week or 6 lbs in a month)
Who gets preeclampsia?
Anyone can get preeclampsia, but some of the more common risk factors are:
Previous history of Preeclampsia
Over 35, under 18
Family history
Overweight
Underlying condition, ex. chronic high blood pressure, autoimmune disorder, clotting disorder, diabetes, kidney disease
Multiple gestation
What is HELLP?
HELLP syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur in pregnant women who have:
H -- hemolysis
EL -- elevated liver enzymes
LP -- low platelet count
HELLP syndrome occurs in approximately 10% of pregnant women with preeclampsia or eclampsia. Preeclampsia may be mild or severe. Severe cases involve high blood pressure and protein in the urine and can progress to seizures (eclampsia). Severe cases are life-threatening to both mother and fetus. HELLP syndrome is associated with more serious cases.
It may occur long before a pregnancy reaches term (for example, HELLP at 30 weeks gestation). Many women have high blood pressure and are diagnosed with preeclampsia before they get HELLP syndrome. However, in some cases, HELLP symptoms are the first warning of preeclampsia and the condition is misdiagnosed as hepatitis, gallbladder disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Symptoms of HELLP include:
Progressive nausea and vomiting
Upper abdominal pain
Headache
Vision problems
Is there a cure?
The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery. You're at increased risk of seizures, placental abruption and severe bleeding until your blood pressure decreases. Of course, if it's too early in your pregnancy, delivery may not be the best thing for your baby.
Bed rest: Buying time for baby to grow
If you aren't near the end of your pregnancy and you have a mild case of preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend bed rest to lower your blood pressure and increase blood flow to your placenta, giving your baby extra time to mature. You may need to lie in bed, only sitting and standing when necessary. Or you may be able to sit on the couch or in bed and strictly limit your activities. Your doctor may want to see you a few times a week to check your blood pressure, urine protein levels and your baby's well-being.
If you have more severe preeclampsia, you may need bed rest in the hospital. In the hospital, you may have regular nonstress tests or biophysical profiles to monitor your baby's well-being. You may also have ultrasound exams to measure the volume of amniotic fluid. A lack of amniotic fluid is a sign of poor blood supply to the baby.
Medications: Helpful for you and your baby
Your doctor may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure until delivery. If you have severe preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome, corticosteroid medications can temporarily improve liver and platelet functioning to help prolong your pregnancy. Corticosteroids can also help your baby's lungs become more mature in as little as 48 hours — an important step in helping a premature baby prepare for life outside the womb.
Delivery: The ultimate cure for preeclampsia
If you're diagnosed with preeclampsia near the end of your pregnancy, you may be treated by inducing labor right away. The readiness of your cervix — whether it's beginning to open (dilate), thin (efface) and soften (ripen) — also may be a factor in determining whether or when labor will be induced.
In more severe cases, it may not be possible to consider your baby's gestational age or the readiness of your cervix. If it's not possible to wait, your doctor may induce labor or schedule a C-section earlier in your pregnancy. During delivery, you may be given magnesium sulfate intravenously to increase uterine blood flow and prevent seizures.
References
Information for this FAQ obtained from various online sources including:
http://familydoctor.org/064.xml (Signs & Symptoms, Risk Factors)
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51726 (Signs & Symptoms, Risk Factors)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/preeclampsia/DS00583/DSECTION=7 (Signs & Symptoms, Risk Factors)
http://health.allrefer.com/health/preeclampsia-symptoms.html (Signs & Symptoms, Risk Factors)
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/4/1680_51845.htm (Signs & Symptoms, Risk Factors)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000890.htm (HELLP)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/preeclampsia/DS00583/DSECTION=8 (Cure)