May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month. The condition affects at least 5-8% of pregnancies.
Preeclampsia typically can occur any time after the 20th week of pregnancy and is marked by:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
- Changes in vision – blurred, seeing spots
- Nausea after mid-pregnancy
- Swelling in hands and face
- Weight gain of more than 5 pounds in a week
- Difficulty breathing, gasping, or panting
To monitor their pregnancy for preeclampsia and reduce risk, women should:
- Attend all prenatal appointments, which may be by phone or videoconference
- Talk to your doctor about your particular risk for preeclampsia and what you can do to minimize it
- Monitor your blood pressure and weight regularly, and contact your doctor immediately if either becomes unexpectedly high
- Know your family history of pregnancy complications, high blood pressure, and heart disease
- Eat right, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight
- Do not smoke