Signs of Preeclampsia: An Overview
While researchers do not know the specific cause or
causes of preeclampsia (also known as pregnancy-induced
hypertension, toxemia of pregnancy, or acute hypertensive disease of pregnancy), they do know that the result of
preeclampsia is a narrowing of blood vessels. Because of this narrowing, women with preeclampsia can have decreased blood flow to the:
- Kidneys
- Brain
- Liver
- Retina
- Placenta.
Understanding the effect of preeclampsia can help explain preeclampsia symptoms.
Specific Preeclampsia Signs
Specific signs will vary, depending on the severity of the condition. Signs may include:
Other possible preeclampsia signs are:
- Abdominal pain
- Vision problems, including blurred vision, spots, or sensitivity to light
- Headaches.
The possible signs of preeclampsia discussed in this article can be caused by other conditions.
In fact, they can also occur in healthy pregnancies. For example, a woman's feet might swell with preeclampsia, but swollen feet are common during healthy pregnancies; swollen feet do not always mean there is a problem.
Regular prenatal visits will help your doctor:
- Track your blood pressure and level of protein in your urine
- Monitor fetal development more closely
- Order and analyze blood tests that detect signs of preeclampsia.
