Things pregnant mothers should know to prevent pre-eclampsia.
When going to prenatal care, doctors can conclude that pregnant mothers have a high risk of pre-eclampsia. If this is the case, you will probably panic. However, with the timely help of doctors, pregnant mothers will deal with this risk more easily.
What is preeclampsia?
If you have never had high blood pressure before but after the 20th week of pregnancy your blood pressure rises to more than 140/90 mm Hg, there is a risk of pre-eclampsia (also known as Toxemia). Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed in pregnant women when they have three symptoms: high blood pressure (> 140/90 mmHg), edema, proteinuria.
If left untreated, preeclampsia and eclampsia can cause serious complications for both pregnant women and fetuses. With the mother, it can cause brain edema, brain-meningeal hemorrhage, retinal edema, subcapsular hemorrhage, heart failure, kidney failure, acute pulmonary edema, bleeding disorders in the lumen, thrombocytopenia ... With the fetus: slow growth of the fetus, fetal failure, high perinatal mortality ... If not detected and treated early, it can be life-threatening for both mother and baby.
However, do not worry, pregnant mothers can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia with regular prenatal visits. In fact, most pregnant women with pre-eclampsia have healthy babies.
Find out why pregnant women are at risk of pre-eclampsia and what you should do to have a healthy pregnancy:
Where is the risk of pre-eclampsia?
Up to 8% of pregnancies are affected by pre-eclampsia- Photo Shutterstock
The risk is greater if pregnant women have a history of:
High blood pressure before pregnancy
Pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure in the last pregnancy
Diabetes or kidney disease
The risk increases if pregnant women:
Are a minor or older than 40 years old
Obesity before pregnancy
Pregnant first child
Are pregnant with multiple pregnancies
Can pre-eclampsia be prevented?
Currently, medicine has not found a way to prevent pre-eclampsia, researchers are still trying to determine the cause of this condition. Some studies indicate that eating foods containing the amino acids L-arginineand and antioxidant vitamins reduces the risk in pregnant women.
Another study found that overweight or obese women who gained less than 7 kg during pregnancy had a lower risk of pre-eclampsia. Discuss this with your doctor before deciding to make any changes.
How to prevent pre-eclampsia
Taking the following steps can help reduce the risks associated with pre-eclampsia. Keep an eye on symptoms during pregnancy so dangerous situations can be handled promptly. If pregnant women are at high risk, your doctor may give you aspirin every day.
Also to prevent this situation pregnant mothers should:
Prenatal visit
The best way to keep mom and baby healthy throughout pregnancy is with a well-scheduled visit. The doctor will check the mother's blood pressure and the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia. During pregnancy, your doctor will check for:
Blood pressure
Blood tests
Protein level in urine
Fetal growth and weight
If you have high blood pressure before pregnancy, be sure to let your doctor know during your first visit. Your doctor may order you to keep track of your weight and blood pressure between visits.
Hypotension
To help lower blood pressure, your doctor may advise pregnant women to take more calcium or aspirin, or lie on their left side while resting. Your doctor may also advise moms to check their diet to make sure they are eating enough fruits, vegetables and low-salt foods.
Treatments
For mild pre-eclampsia, pregnant mothers can treat the disease with reasonable rest, binge eating, regular pregnancy check-ups once a week to check blood pressure, liver and kidney function, urine tests. , ultrasound and heart health measurement of fetus.
Pregnant mothers diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia require hospitalization, blood pressure monitoring 2 times / day. The doctor will check the weight and protein in urine, test blood count, total coagulation function, evaluate liver and kidney function, fetal lung maturation status ...
Depending on the health of the mother and fetus, the doctor may prescribe a caesarean for the mother.
After giving birth, pre-eclampsia will require a longer stay in the hospital. Mother's blood pressure should return to normal after a few weeks. Postpartum women should keep warm when the weather is cold, wet and need rest and active care in the postpartum period.
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