Most pregnancies are completely unremarkable. And yet they are carefully monitored through regular check-ups. That's a good thing! Because while the belly is rounding, pregnancy-related illnesses can also occur. For example, pre-eclampsia.
The Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy. It is one of the so-called hypertensive pregnancy diseases, i.e. it is always associated with high blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg. Protein is also found in the urine. This is known in medicine as proteinuria. Oedema, i.e. water retention in the legs and feet, on the fingers and in the face, is also common. However, oedema is a rather unspecific sign. They can also occur independently of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia therefore not only has an effect on the Blood pressure levelbut also on the function of other organs. The kidneys are usually impaired. However, the function of the placenta is also frequently impaired as a result. It is therefore a serious disease of pregnancy in which the mum and the little baby in her womb must be monitored particularly closely.
Symptoms
You can recognise the danger by the symptoms that appear. Warning signs can be visual disturbances, headaches, flickering in front of the eyes. If you also experience pain in your upper abdomen, you may suspect that you also have a HELLP syndrome develop. This is a serious condition of pregnancy that must always be treated in hospital. Pain in the right upper abdomen indicates that the function of the mother's liver is also impaired. The body produces too few platelets, resulting in thrombocytopenia. As a result, blood clotting is impaired.
Severe courses of pre-eclampsia associated with seizures during pregnancy or around the time of birth are known as Eclampsia labelled.
Because a pregnancy-related illness can endanger mother and child, it is all the more important to recognise possible symptoms at an early stage. This is why your blood pressure is regularly checked and a urine sample is analysed during pregnancy check-ups. The results or determined values can be used to determine whether everything is in order or whether there are indications of a possible illness. If the medical history shows that there is an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, the statistical risk of developing pre-eclampsia is determined with the help of Doppler sonography and biochemical markers. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is the drug of choice for prevention.
When does pre-eclampsia occur during pregnancy?
Perhaps you have heard in connection with Pre-eclampsia has also been referred to as "pregnancy poisoning". heard. This term is still bandied about, but it is outdated - and in fact incorrect, as pre-eclampsia is not a form of intoxication.
This condition usually only occurs in the second half of pregnancy, i.e. after the 20th week of pregnancy. More rarely, it only occurs in the postpartum period. If this condition develops during pregnancy, it can be dangerous for your baby because your placenta is no longer supplied with sufficient blood. Affected children then no longer grow properly, often develop problems with their lungs or have a (too) low birth weight. Accordingly, around a third of premature births are due to pre-eclampsia. This is because it can mean that the baby has to be born prematurely. This is because the only treatment for pre-eclampsia is delivery. If possible, attempts are made to deliver the baby after the 34th week of pregnancy. Whether a normal birth can be attempted depends on the course of the pre-eclampsia. This is always decided on an individual basis.
After the birth, the mother's symptoms quickly disappear. And the child almost always develops normally after birth. But of course this also depends on how prematurely it was born.
Pre-eclampsia treatment
Because the causes of pre-eclampsia have not yet been conclusively clarified, ultimately only the Symptoms of pre-eclampsia be treated. However, certain factors are known to increase the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. These include certain pre-existing conditions of the pregnant woman such as diabetes mellitus or kidney disease, high blood pressure, a history of pre-eclampsia during a previous pregnancy or in the mother or sister of the pregnant woman. In addition, severe obesity, a multiple pregnancy, artificial insemination or a higher age of the expectant mother of more than 35 years can favour pre-eclampsia.
But please don't be put off, even if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. It rarely leads to pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. This clinical picture only affects 2 to 5 per cent Pregnant women affected.
Nevertheless, it is important that the development of possible pre-eclampsia is recognised as early as possible and can be treated accordingly. If necessary, this is done with medication to prevent the disease in the earlier stages of pregnancy or to alleviate its progression at a later stage.
You have your doctor or midwife at your side for this. They will keep a close eye on your health and that of your baby. That means for you: It is important that you all attend antenatal appointments during pregnancy. And don't hesitate to mention if anything seems strange or unusual to you. Any information - no matter how "small" - will help your midwife or doctor to assess your health and that of your child in the best possible way and to react quickly if necessary.
If you have an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, you will be closely monitored during your pregnancy. You can also reduce your personal risk through a healthy diet, sufficient exercise and stress reduction. It is important that you prepare early for the birth and the time with the babyso that you can make good and informed decisions even if your baby is born prematurely. The Online courses by midwife Katharina will support you. The breathing exercises it contains not only help you to breathe through the contractions, but also help you to integrate conscious moments of relaxation into your daily pregnancy routine. This is not only a good prophylaxis for pre-eclampsia, but also supports the supply of your baby via the placenta. In the Workshop induction of labour you can find out everything you need to know if the birth of your baby has to be induced due to pre-eclampsia.
