Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and shows signs  that some of her organs like kidney and liver may not be working well. Some of the signs include protein in urine, vision changes and headaches.
 

 

Am i at risk ?

 
You are at high risk of preeclampsia if you fall into the following category.

• have  a personal or family history of preeclampsia
• this is your first pregnancy
• you are older than 40 years old
• you are pregnant with multiples
• you had in vitro fertilization
• you’re obese
• have a history of certain medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, thrombophilia or lupus
• having babies less that 2 years apart or more than 10 years apart

How do i know i have preeclampsia ?

Pregnant women with preeclampsia may experience some of these symptoms.

• high blood pressure
• severe headaches
• protein in urine
• vision changes such as flashing lights, blurriness and being sensitive to light
• dizziness
• sudden weight gain about 2 to 5 pounds a week
• nausea or vomiting
• pain on the right side , below the ribs
• swelling in the hands , face and legs
• decreased urine output
• shortness of breath

 
If you experience these symptoms , call your health care professional right away.
 
Content Sources