Examination of preeclampsia in pregnant women, what should be prepared?

Why is it important to check for preeclampsia in pregnant women?

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication caused because pregnant women have high blood pressure. This condition can occur in mothers who have no previous history of hypertension. If preeclampsia does not get proper treatment, then pregnant women are at high risk for pregnancy complications.

Therefore, pregnant women are usually advised to do gynecological examinations including routine blood pressure checks. Especially when the gestational age has entered the age of 20 weeks.

What should be prepared before preeclampsia examination?

Preeclampsia may be diagnosed during routine prenatal check-ups. Here are some things you can prepare to make it easier for your doctor to check your condition.

Write down all of your symptoms

Whatever you feel during pregnancy, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. Even if you think it is a normal pregnancy symptom.

Notify the drugs consumed

Make a list of the medicines you are taking during pregnancy. These drugs include vitamins, supplements, and supplements that you are taking. Don't forget, also tell your doctor about your medical history.

Ask to be accompanied by a partner or closest relative

If possible, take your partner or closest relative every time you do routine pregnancy checks to the doctor. This is done to help you remember all the information provided during your appointment with the doctor.

Ask what you want to know

List the questions you want to ask the doctor, jotting down those questions just in case if needed.

For preeclampsia, some basic questions that are often asked of doctors are:

Will this condition affect my baby?
Is it safe to continue with the pregnancy?
What are the signs that I need to go to the doctor immediately or call the doctor?
How often do I have to do checkups? How will you monitor my baby's health?
What treatments are available and what treatments do you recommend for me?
I have other health conditions. How can I properly monitor this condition?
Should I limit my activities? What kinds of activities should I limit?
Do I need a C-section?
Do you have brochures or other printed material I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

Various questions commonly asked by doctors during examination

To determine a diagnosis, the doctor will usually ask several questions about your health condition and daily habits. Some of the questions doctors often ask include:

Is this your first pregnancy?
Have you had any unusual symptoms recently, such as blurred vision or headaches?
Have you ever had pain in your upper abdomen that doesn't seem related to your baby's movements?
Do you have a history of high blood pressure in the past?
Have you had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy?
Have you had complications during your previous pregnancy?
What other health conditions are you facing?

After conducting a question and answer session, then the doctor will perform a physical examination or blood test for further diagnosis. Apart from high blood pressure, women who have preeclampsia also usually show signs and symptoms such as:

Protein in the urine (proteinuria)
Low platelet count
Liver disfunction
Signs of kidney problems other than protein in the urine
Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
Headache
Visual disturbances

Previously, preeclampsia was only diagnosed if a pregnant woman had high blood pressure and protein in her urine. However, experts now know that it is possible to develop preeclampsia even if it does not have protein in the urine.

A blood pressure reading more than 140/90 mm Hg considered abnormal blood pressure in pregnancy. However, a high blood pressure reading on the first test doesn't necessarily mean you have preeclampsia. However, when the second examination shows the same result, it may prove the truth of the doctor's suspicion that you have preeclampsia