Preeclampsia Treatment: An Introduction
The only definite cure for
preeclampsia is delivering the fetus. But preeclampsia can occur early in pregnancy, which may mean delivery is not the best preeclampsia treatment option. If so, your healthcare provider may develop a plan with you to try and safely prolong your pregnancy to allow the fetus to develop further, while closely monitoring you for signs that the fetus should be delivered, even prematurely, if necessary. In this case, the decision of whether or not to deliver can be difficult; it requires that the mother be watched closely, often in the hospital, as a precaution.
Early Preeclampsia Treatment
If a woman is suspected of having preeclampsia but her
blood pressure is not very high, the doctor may begin by recommending bed rest for several days. As part of preeclampsia treatment, the doctor may also recommend a no-added-salt diet. If this early preeclampsia treatment is successful in reducing blood pressure and weight gain, no further treatment may be necessary, except for the continuation of the no-added-salt diet and more frequent
prenatal care.
Preeclampsia Treatment in More Severe Cases
For women who do not respond to early preeclampsia treatment, or those with more severe
preeclampsia symptoms, the doctor may recommend a stay in the hospital for a couple of days to see if symptoms improve in a more controlled environment.
For women with more severe preeclampsia, the doctor may also begin
blood pressure medication. For women who are more than
36 weeks pregnant or those women whose symptoms cannot be controlled, the doctor may recommend delivering the baby. During
labor and delivery, preeclampsia treatment may also include antiseizure medication. This medication will be continued for 24 hours after delivery in order to prevent
seizures.
