Preeclampsia Awareness Month
Kristin Gunner
5/6/2024
May is an important month: Preeclampsia Awareness Month. This is a time for us to raise awareness about a serious condition that affects so many pregnant women.
What is preeclampsia?
Here's what preeclampsia.org says:
"Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and usually the presence of protein in the urine."
Signs and Symptoms
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia is so important for catching it early and managing it well.
Some symptoms to watch for:
High blood pressure
Protein in your urine
Swelling in your hands and face
Headaches that won't go away
Changes in vision (like seeing spots or flashing lights, or a loss of vision)
Gaining more than five pounds in a week
Nausea and/or vomiting after mid-pregnancy (not morning sickness)
Upper belly pain
Difficulty breathing
It's important to know that having symptoms doesn't always mean you have preeclampsia. However, you shouldn't hesitate to tell your provider if you have any of these symptoms. Better safe than sorry.
What causes preeclampsia?
Unfortunately, we don't know exactly what causes preeclampsia, but factors like genetics, immune system dysfunction, and insufficient blood flow to the uterus may contribute. Some of the risk factors include a history of preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.
Don't hesitate to talk to your provider about your risks and how to decrease the risk.
As a doula, part of my job is to provide advocacy and education for clients. During prenatal visits, we talk about the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia. I encourage my clients to talk openly with their healthcare providers so they can get the best treatment possible as soon as possible if it's needed.
By raising awareness about preeclampsia, we can help ensure that pregnant women receive timely screenings, monitoring, and medical interventions when necessary.
This Preeclampsia Awareness Month, let's all support moms, educate our communities, and advocate for better maternal healthcare. If you have any questions or concerns about preeclampsia or your pregnancy in general, please don't hesitate to reach out. Together, we can prevail over preeclampsia.
Please check out The Preeclampsia Foundation for more information.
