Up to five in every 100 women will develop pre-eclampsia, usually more than 20 weeks into pregnancy, in labour or shortly after giving birth.
With World Pre-Eclampsia Day taking place on Thursday, public health midwives at NHS Humber Health Partnership said attending every appointment ensures pre-eclampsia is picked up quickly, reducing the risk to you and your baby.
Joanna Melia, Public Health Midwife at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital, said: “Early signs of pre-eclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in your urine but you may not recognise you are developing these symptoms.
“That’s why it’s important you attend all your antenatal checks as these problems can be picked up by your midwife.
“The sooner we diagnose pre-eclampsia, the better the outcome for both of you.”
Leanne Ellis, Consultant Midwife at Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole Hospitals, said although the exact cause is not known, pre-eclampsia may be linked to a problem with the placenta.
Further symptoms can develop including
- severe headache
- vision problems, such as blurring or flashing
- pain just below the ribs
- vomiting
- sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
Leanne says: “If pre-eclampsia goes undiagnosed, there’s a chance of the mother developing fits called “eclampsia”, a condition that, while extremely rare, can endanger the life of the mother and baby.”
Sarah Wise, Consultant Midwife at Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole Hospitals, says some factors can increase your chances of developing pre-eclampsia.
“These include having diabetes, an autoimmune condition such as lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome, high blood pressure or kidney disease before you were pregnant or having high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy,” Sarah says.
“You may also be at a greater risk of developing pre-eclampsia if you have a family history of pre-eclampsia, you’re 40 or older, it’s more than 10 years since your last pregnancy, you’re having twins or triplet or you have a BMI of 35 or above.”
If you’re diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, you’ll be assessed by a hospital specialist and monitored closely to see if you are required to stay in hospital.
As the only way to cure pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby, you could be advised to have your baby earlier, following induction or caesarean section, normally around 37 to 38 weeks of pregnancy.
If you notice any symptoms of pre-eclampsia, call your midwife, GP surgery or NHS 111 as soon as possible.