R.C. Anderson
Problems of pregnancy – Pre-Eclampsia
January 22nd 2007 05:05
For one of the supposedly happiest times of a woman's life, pregnancy has a multitude of problems that can affect both mother and / or baby. Some issues are fairly minor, causing an inconvenience at worse, others, like pre-eclampsia, are severe disorders that can threaten the life of mother and baby.
I'm now twenty three weeks pregnant, approaching the time when pre-eclampsia could start to show itself. Thankfully, I'm in a low risk group and don't expect this complication to occur, however, as well as being one of the more serious complications of pregnancy, pre-eclampsia is also one of the most common, affecting up to 10% of all Australian pregnancies.
So what is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy related disorder characterised by elevated blood pressure, protein in the urine and extreme fluid retention. It's not known exactly why this disorder manifests in some women and not others, however it's believed that there is a genetic link, along with some kind of problem with the placenta not receiving sufficient blood supply from the mother.
The condition is much more common in women experiencing their first pregnancy than those carrying subsequent babies, although there is a potentially higher risk once the woman reaches pregnancy number four.
The paternity of the baby also seems to play a part. If a second or third baby has a different father than previous babies then the risk of developing pre-eclampsia is just as high as it would be in a first time mother.
Other high risk categories of include women with:
** existing hypertension problems;
** a family history of the condition;
** a personal history of the condition;
** diabetes;
and those carrying multiple foetuses such as twins or triplets.
So what are the signs to look out for?
Unfortunately, symptoms of pre-eclampsia can be indicative of a number of common, less severe pregnancy problems. Swelling in the hands, feet or face, headaches, abdominal pain and nausea all occur regularly throughout many healthy pregnancies. The only true way for pre-eclampsia to be diagnosed is through regular checks of blood pressure and protein levels in the urine, making regular antenatal checks extremely important.
If pre-eclampsia is allowed to develop into full-blown eclampsia, convulsions can occur.
What effect can pre-eclampsia have on my baby?
The main problem faced by a foetus is due to the placenta not working properly.
During pregnancy the placenta sustains the foetus, supplying it with essential nutrients and oxygen and removing waste products. In pre-eclampsia this life-sustaining flow is compromised and can restrict the baby's growth, starving the baby of vital nutrients and oxygen. Lack of oxygen can result in vital organ and brain damage.
Pre-eclampsia can also cause an emergency condition called abruptio placentae, where the placenta and uterus separate. This can cause vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain in the mother and make the placenta useless, again starving the foetus of necessary nutrients.
So how can the condition be cured?
By giving birth. At this stage, medicine has no answer to the potentially fatal effects of pre-eclampsia. In fact the condition accounts for around 10% of all pre-term deliveries in Australia, responsible for approximately one in five inductions and one in every six Caesarean sections. Bed rest and medication to assist the high blood pressure can help but the only way to fully cure the condition is to deliver the baby.
Ongoing research is constantly looking for a way to combat pre-eclampsia and minimise the risks to mother and baby. Scientists are attempting to discover which maternal gene is at fault, since the condition tends to have a genetic link. Hopefully, by finding this gene, a pre-pregnancy test can be developed, determining susceptibility to the condition in all women.
In short, until such times as medicine has an answer, pregnant women should always remain vigilant, reporting any unusual symptoms to their doctor, midwife or obstetrician, however minor they may seem.
I'm now twenty three weeks pregnant, approaching the time when pre-eclampsia could start to show itself. Thankfully, I'm in a low risk group and don't expect this complication to occur, however, as well as being one of the more serious complications of pregnancy, pre-eclampsia is also one of the most common, affecting up to 10% of all Australian pregnancies.
So what is pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy related disorder characterised by elevated blood pressure, protein in the urine and extreme fluid retention. It's not known exactly why this disorder manifests in some women and not others, however it's believed that there is a genetic link, along with some kind of problem with the placenta not receiving sufficient blood supply from the mother.
The condition is much more common in women experiencing their first pregnancy than those carrying subsequent babies, although there is a potentially higher risk once the woman reaches pregnancy number four.
The paternity of the baby also seems to play a part. If a second or third baby has a different father than previous babies then the risk of developing pre-eclampsia is just as high as it would be in a first time mother.
Other high risk categories of include women with:
** existing hypertension problems;
** a family history of the condition;
** a personal history of the condition;
** diabetes;
and those carrying multiple foetuses such as twins or triplets.
So what are the signs to look out for?
Unfortunately, symptoms of pre-eclampsia can be indicative of a number of common, less severe pregnancy problems. Swelling in the hands, feet or face, headaches, abdominal pain and nausea all occur regularly throughout many healthy pregnancies. The only true way for pre-eclampsia to be diagnosed is through regular checks of blood pressure and protein levels in the urine, making regular antenatal checks extremely important.
If pre-eclampsia is allowed to develop into full-blown eclampsia, convulsions can occur.
What effect can pre-eclampsia have on my baby?
The main problem faced by a foetus is due to the placenta not working properly.
During pregnancy the placenta sustains the foetus, supplying it with essential nutrients and oxygen and removing waste products. In pre-eclampsia this life-sustaining flow is compromised and can restrict the baby's growth, starving the baby of vital nutrients and oxygen. Lack of oxygen can result in vital organ and brain damage.
Pre-eclampsia can also cause an emergency condition called abruptio placentae, where the placenta and uterus separate. This can cause vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain in the mother and make the placenta useless, again starving the foetus of necessary nutrients.
So how can the condition be cured?
By giving birth. At this stage, medicine has no answer to the potentially fatal effects of pre-eclampsia. In fact the condition accounts for around 10% of all pre-term deliveries in Australia, responsible for approximately one in five inductions and one in every six Caesarean sections. Bed rest and medication to assist the high blood pressure can help but the only way to fully cure the condition is to deliver the baby.
Ongoing research is constantly looking for a way to combat pre-eclampsia and minimise the risks to mother and baby. Scientists are attempting to discover which maternal gene is at fault, since the condition tends to have a genetic link. Hopefully, by finding this gene, a pre-pregnancy test can be developed, determining susceptibility to the condition in all women.
In short, until such times as medicine has an answer, pregnant women should always remain vigilant, reporting any unusual symptoms to their doctor, midwife or obstetrician, however minor they may seem.
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
I'm sorry.
I really truly cannot find a single quip to....er... quipe (?) about....because this is a little too close to heart...you being pregnant...
Brilliant post Cara.
much heart and soul...
Dusk
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
You're right, very close to home. Like I said, I'm very low risk but you never know, not with something like this.
In my first pregnancy I had high blood pressure and the name of this condition was bandied about for a while, at least until it became clear that I wasn't developing it. That's when I started my research to find out more about it.
Then again, I can't imagine myself on total bedrest ... not with the bugs to chase around after!!!
Love Cara xxxx
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
...wee vamps-are-here!!
(yayyy...got a quip in!!)
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Uh-oh ... now I've just asked for trouble!
xx
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
This is a family site!
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Keep the birds away...
Comment by Candice
I'm glad to hear it's less likely in subsequent pregnancies. I had it right at the end of my pregnancy and had to rest in hospital for two days then rest at home for 2 weeks until the bub was due to be induced. I can't imagine doing that now with a little one racing around!
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I'm sorry to hear you suffered from this. Thankfully it sounds like you only had a mild case but it must have been pretty scary and traumatic at the time.
It is more common in first pregnancies but, unfortunately, if you've suffered before then you do have a higher risk of contracting it again in subsequent pregnancies.
I really hope that everything goes smoothly for you if / when you decide to add another little one to your family.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience.
A.H.
Comment by Candice
Yes, that's what I had thought too! I read through your post too quickly. Maybe I was just being hopeful??
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Well, I hope your wishful thinking works! If you do decide to have another baby I'll be keeping fingers and toes crossed for you.
A.H.
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Sorry to hear of your aunt's miscarriage ... it must be one of the worse experiences for a woman to deal with.
I hope things work out better for her next time.
A.