Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that harms both the mother and the fetus: drugs, symptoms, causes, etc. & bull; hello healthy

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What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia or preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by increased blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine.

The condition of preeclampsia can occur due to the fetal placenta that is not functioning properly. Usually a placenta that doesn't function properly is caused by an abnormality.

In addition, health problems such as poor nutrition, high body fat levels, insufficient blood flow to the uterus, and genetics may also cause preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia that is severe and is followed by seizures can develop into eclampsia.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia that occur during or shortly after pregnancy can cause serious health problems for the mother, even death.

Even pregnant women with normal blood pressure can experience preeclampsia. Generally, the symptoms of preeclampsia can be seen when entering 20 weeks of gestation.

How common is this condition?

About 6-8 percent of pregnant women experience preeclampsia and it usually occurs in the first pregnancy.

However, this can be controlled by lowering your risk factors. Discuss with your doctor for more information.

Preeclampsia signs & symptoms

Sometimes, the symptoms of preeclampsia are similar to normal pregnancy as usual.

In order for pregnant women to be more alert, here are some signs and symptoms of preeclampsia that need to be understood, quoting from Preeclampsia:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure during pregnancy is a very dangerous condition and can be a sign of preeclampsia.

In fact, although not as a symptom of preeclampsia, high blood pressure is another problem.

The upper limit of high blood pressure was 140/90 mmHG which was measured twice under different circumstances and time lags.

However, in severe preeclampsia, blood pressure can be up to> 160/110 mmHg.

Urine contains protein (proteinuria)

Proteinuria is a sign of preeclampsia that can be found on a medical examination.

This condition means that the resulting protein, which is usually only in the blood, is spilled into the urine.

How to check this one sign of preeclampsia must be done when pregnant women are consulting an obstetrician.

The nurse will dip the strip in the urine sample, it works similarly test pack .

If the strip produces a result of 1+ that's a sign of mild preeclampsia being experienced. Meanwhile, if the result is> 2+ you have severe preeclampsia.

If the protein level in the blood shows a result of +1, you will still have preeclampsia even though the blood pressure of pregnant women is below 140/90.

Swelling (edema) in the legs

It is common to have swollen feet during pregnancy. However, it can become unnatural if there is so much fluid in the legs that it causes severe swelling.

This is one of the symptoms of preeclampsia that is often underestimated because it is considered normal.

This edema or swelling occurs due to excess fluid in the body. It usually occurs on the feet, face, eyes and hands.

Headache

The next preeclampsia symptom that needs attention is a very severe throbbing headache. Sometimes, the pain is similar to a migraine that is often difficult to go away.

Nausea and vomiting

If in the middle of pregnancy you experience nausea to vomiting, that's a symptom of preeclampsia to watch out for.

The reason is, morning sickness will only occur in the first trimester and disappear in the second and third trimesters.

You need to be vigilant when nausea and vomiting in mid-pregnancy because they can be symptoms of preeclampsia. Immediately check your blood pressure and proteinuria in your urine.

Pain in the abdomen and shoulders

Pain in this area is called epigastric pain which is usually felt under the ribs on the right side.

This one symptom of preeclampsia is usually disguised by heartburn, indigestion, or pain from a baby kick.

The difference between regular shoulder pain and the symptoms of preeclampsia is that it feels like something is pinching along the bra strap or in the neck.

Sometimes this condition makes you sick when you lie on your right side. This pain symptom is a sign of HELLP syndrome or a problem in the liver (liver).

Do not ignore it, immediately consult a doctor for further treatment.

Lower back pain

Low back pain is the most common pregnancy complaint and is often overlooked as a symptom of preeclampsia. In fact, this shows a sign of preeclampsia that should be watched out for.

Weight gain 3-5 kilograms within a week

If pregnant women gain 3-5 kilograms of weight in just a week, it is an indicator of preeclampsia symptoms.

This weight gain results from water in the damaged tissues of the body, which then does not pass through the kidneys to be excreted.

Symptoms of preeclampsia in the fetus

The complications of preeclampsia pregnancy can harm the fetus in the womb.

One of them causes delayed fetal growth or the fetus does not develop.

This is caused by the blood supply that carries oxygen is blocked and does not reach the baby's placenta.

Fetuses that get a little blood supply, generally will also get less nutrition and food in the womb.

Although less common, the condition preeclampsia can occur in the first six weeks after delivery.

When to see a doctor?

Pregnant women can contact their doctor immediately if they experience symptoms of preeclampsia such as severe headaches, blurred vision, severe abdominal pain, and tightness.

Talk to your doctor about controlling blood pressure.

Causes of preeclampsia

Here are the main causes of preeclampsia that pregnant women need to pay attention to:

1. Problematic blood vessels

Early in pregnancy, blood vessels begin to fully develop to carry blood to the placenta.

In mothers with preeclampsia, the development of blood vessels is problematic or imperfect.

Blood vessels can become narrowed and do not respond to stimulant hormones. Until finally this condition actually causes a decrease in blood count.

Apart from damaged blood vessels, the cause of reduced blood flow to the fetus can also be caused by problems with the mother's immune system and DNA.

2. The placenta is not functioning properly

The cause of preeclampsia comes from the placenta, which functions as a nourishment for the baby while in the womb.

When fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg will stick to the uterus until the birth process later.

When this process occurs, the fertilized egg will form a "root" of the blood vessels and over time become the fetal placenta.

In order for the roots of the placenta to function properly, adequate nutrition is needed from the food that pregnant women eat.

When the mother does not consume the nutrients she needs, this can interfere with the placenta's function, causing her to experience preeclampsia.

Factors that increase the risk of preeclampsia

There are many risk factors that can cause a mother to get preeclampsia, including:

• The mother had a previous history of preeclampsia.
• Mother is pregnant or pregnant for the first time.
• Pregnant women over the age of 35 have a high risk of preeclampsia.
• Mother is obese.
• The mother is pregnant with twins or more.
• Pregnant women less than two years apart or more than 10 years.
• Have a history of high blood pressure, migraines, type I and II diabetes, kidney problems, or lupus.

In addition, other risk factors that can cause preeclampsia are genetic factors, diet, disorders of blood vessels, and autoimmune disorders.

Complications of preeclampsia

Quoted from the NHS page, complications of preeclampsia that can occur in pregnant women are:

• Seizures (eclampsia)
• HELPP syndrome (a rare liver disorder and blood clot that can occur in pregnant women)
• Stroke
• Organ problems (pulmonary edema, kidney failure, liver failure)

Preeclampsia that is not treated properly can damage the blood clotting system, known medically as disseminated intravascular coagulation.

This can cause bleeding because there is not enough protein in the blood to make the blood clot.

Meanwhile, in infants, complications that can occur due to preeclampsia are:

• Premature birth
• Stillbirth baby
• Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)
• Infants lack nutrition
• Birth defects
• Low birth weight (LBW)

Babies born with low birth weight or who have experienced changes in placental growth are at greater risk for developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes as adults.

Diagnosis for preeclampsia

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Doctors will generally diagnose this condition based on symptoms, such as increased blood pressure and shortness of breath.

After that, the doctor will perform the following examinations, quoted from the Mayo Clinic:

• Blood tests (check liver, kidney, and platelet function)
• Urine test (measures the amount of protein in the urine)
• Fetal ultrasound (checks fetal weight and amniotic fluid)
• Nonstress test or biophysical profile (fetal heart rate and motion)
• Biophysical profile

Biophysics is a method using ultrasound to measure your baby's breathing, movement, and volume of amniotic fluid in the uterus.

Treatment for preeclampsia

To treat preeclampsia, there are several types of treatment or treatment given, namely:

1. Childbirth early

Handling of preeclampsia can be done by giving birth earlier. This is because preeclampsia will cause complications such as seizures, placental abruption, stroke, and heavy bleeding if not treated promptly.

Your doctor will talk to you about when to give birth based on your gestational age, how well the fetus is, and how severe your preeclampsia is.

If the fetus's condition is strong enough, usually at 37 weeks or so, your doctor may suggest inducing labor.

In addition, doctors can also perform a cesarean section. This is done to prevent preeclampsia from worsening.

If the baby is not old enough to be born, you and your doctor may be able to treat preeclampsia until your baby is developed enough to be born safely.

2. Applying a healthy lifestyle on the advice of a doctor

If you have mild preeclampsia, your doctor may advise you to:

• Complete rest at home or in the hospital with a lot of lying to the left of the body.
• Routinely check the fetal heart rate monitor with ultrasound.
• Routine blood and urine tests.

3. Taking medication

Some of the drugs that may be given, namely:

• Blood pressure medication
• Medication to help prevent seizures, lower blood pressure, and prevent other problems
• Steroid injections to help your baby's lungs develop faster

4. Other treatments

As for various other treatments that may be suggested, namely:

• Inject magnesium into a vein to prevent eclampsia-related seizures
• Take hydralazine or other antihypertensive drugs to treat severe increases in blood pressure
• Drink lots of fluids

Home remedies for preeclampsia

There are several treatments that can be done to prevent preeclampsia in pregnant women. Here are things you can do:

1. Take a low dose of aspirin

Taking a low-dose aspirin starting at the 12th week of pregnancy may be an effective preventive measure for pregnant women to develop severe preeclampsia.

But you should, this is on the advice of your gynecologist even though you have bought drugs that are sold freely in the market.

2. Consume calcium

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers consume daily calcium supplementation to reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

This also applies if pregnant women have blood pressure conditions, whether controlled or not.

WHO guidelines recommend an additional 1.5 to 2.0 grams of calcium by 20 weeks of gestation.

If the mother is also taking iron supplements, it is better to take vitamin calcium separately.

Take the second supplement with an hour break. This is so that the effects of calcium supplements are well absorbed.

3. Consume antioxidants

Pregnant women can take antioxidant supplements to prevent preeclampsia.

Research from the journal PLoS One in 2015 showed that levels of vitamins C, E, and other antioxidants were lower in women with preeclampsia.

However, in previously published trial studies, the researchers found no significant results.

There was no difference between the effects of mothers with preeclampsia who took supplements and those who did not.

4. Lifestyle

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with preeclampsia:

• Maintain a diet as directed.
• Complete rest on your left side
• Do light physical activity to help improve blood flow, such as walking or swimming.
• Check urine as directed.
• Tell your doctor if your hands, feet, face are swollen, or you have vision changes, headaches or abdominal pain.
• Call your doctor if you gain more than 1.4 kg in 24 hours.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.