What is Preeclampsia? How I Found Out I had IT.

What is Preeclampsia? 

Preeclampsia is a condition that a pregnant person can develop that is believed to come from a problem with the placenta. It can cause organ damage to various organs and organ systems and be dangerous for the mom and baby. 

Preeclampsia if not treated can be fatal to both mom and baby. Preeclampsia can not be cured in any other way than delivery. 

Post delivery there is a greater risk of HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count). You could be at risk of kidney disease, heart attack, stroke, and future preeclampsia. 

Symptoms of Preeclampsia

• Headaches

• Light sensitivity

• Blurry vision

• Dark spots in vision

• Reversible blindness

• Abdominal pain

• Hand and feet swelling 

• Shortness of breath

• Hypertensive emergency (blood pressure above 160/110)

• Decreased liver function

• Decreased kidney function

• Decreased urine production

• Fluid in the lungs 

• Low platelet count

• Nausea or vomiting

• Seizures are seen when you progress from preeclampsia to eclampsia

Things that can reduce Preeclampsia risks

• Losing weight if you are overweight

• Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar

• Regular exercise

• Getting enough sleep

• Eating healthy

• Taking a baby aspirin if agreed upon by your healthcare provider

Things that can increase Preeclampsia risks

• History of preeclampsia

• Pregnancy involving multiples

• Chronic high blood pressure

• Diabetes Type 1 or 2

• Kidney disease

• Autoimmune disorder

• In vitro

• Smoking 

• First pregnancy with current partner

• Obesity 

• Family history of preeclampsia

• Older than 35 years of age

How did I find out I had Preeclampsia? 

I walked into my routine prenatal visit April 5th, 2022 at 25w 5d. I was feeling great, excited to hear my baby’s heart beat. I sat down for my blood pressure to be taken, expecting it to be normal, like it always was. It was 170/76. This was definitely NOT normal for me. I was shocked. The nurse was shocked. The doctor was shocked. They told me to sit there and we would try again after about 10 minutes. We did. It remained elevated. My doctor sent me immediately to the hospital for more testing to be done, with the expectation that they would run the tests and probably send me home. They did not send me home. I wouldn’t see home again until after I had my baby. 

When I got to the ER, they repeated the blood pressure test, started an IV, collected blood, and strapped me up to the baby monitor. My blood pressure remained elevated while I remained at rest. All of my labs came back normal except for my liver enzymes. As I said above, elevated blood pressure and liver enzymes are two major indications for preeclampsia. But this was not just preeclampsia, since the liver was now involved it was preeclampsia with severe features. I was admitted on a magnesium drip and bed rest. I would give birth exactly 1 week and 1 day later on April 13th, 2022 at 26w 6d. Check out the blog I will be posting probably next week for our traumatic birth story. 

What were my symptoms? The importance of routine prenatal checkups. 

I had no symptoms (Unless you count shortness of breath. What pregnant person isn’t short of breath.) I listed them above so you can see what they are, but I experienced none. I would not have known I had preeclampsia if I had not gone to my routine prenatal appointment that day. I would have just been walking around while it got worse, while me and my baby got more and more sick. This is why it is so important to go to your routine checkups. Everything can be totally fine and at your next checkup you are in an emergency situation and need to be hospitalized now. I am not trying to be scary, only to share the importance of these checkups.