Treatments for Preeclampsia

Diagnosis of preeclampsia

There are several diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia. They include the following:

• High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure doesn’t typically cause any symptoms, although in some people, it may cause headaches if it’s very severe. Doctors may diagnose preeclampsia if you’ve had:
  • a systolic blood pressure reading of 140 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or more or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more on two occasions at least 4 hours apart
  • a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or more or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg or more
• Proteinuria: Having protein in urine is another possible sign of preeclampsia. Having your urine checked for protein is usually part of antenatal care.

Other signs that point to preeclampsia include:

• thrombocytopenia, or a low platelet count
• impaired liver function
• renal insufficiency
• visual disturbances
• pulmonary edema
• headache that doesn’t go away with anti-inflammatories or other medications

Your doctor may use other methods, including ordering certain tests, as well to diagnose preeclampsia. Examples include:

• blood tests to check how well the liver and kidneys are working
• blood tests to check blood platelet levels
• blood tests to count the total number of red blood cells in the blood
• a weight check
• an ultrasound to assess the fetus’s growth, heart rate, and amniotic fluid
• a check of the fetus’s heart rate
• a physical exam to look for swelling in the pregnant person’s face, hands, or legs as well as abdominal tenderness or an enlarged liver

Treatments for preeclampsia

The only cure for preeclampsia is delivering the child. The treatment plan will usually depend on how severe preeclampsia is and may focus on managing symptoms and lowering the risk of complications until the pregnant person can safely deliver the child.

Your healthcare professional may recommend delivery if the pregnancy is at 37 weeks, and you might be induced or have a C-section depending on the severity of your symptoms.

However, if the pregnancy is at less than 37 weeks, your healthcare professional might recommend certain medications to manage symptoms while giving the baby more time to grow and mature These could potentially include:

• bed rest to lower blood pressure and increase blood flow to the placenta
• hypertension medications to lower blood pressure
• anticonvulsive medications, such as magnesium sulfate, to prevent seizures
• monitoring of the condition through blood tests and ultrasounds
• hospitalization, if required, for intravenous medication
• steroid injection to speed up the growth of the baby’s lungs

If preeclampsia is severe and the pregnancy is at less than 34 weeks, preterm delivery is necessary to avoid the risk of severe complications for the pregnant person that can be life threatening.

If symptoms present shortly after 20 weeks of pregnancy, additional complications and preterm delivery are more likely. This is usually called early onset preeclampsia and is associated with more severe outcomes for the pregnant person.

Postpartum treatment of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia can also occur shortly after birth and will usually present with similar symptoms like:

• high blood pressure
• headache
• vision changes
• abdominal pain
• nausea

In such cases, treatment will happen after admission into the hospital and will usually involve medications to lower high blood pressure and minimize the possibility of complications such as stroke.

They might also give anti-seizure medications. Treatment for postpartum preeclampsia typically follows the guidelines for the treatment of preeclampsia during pregnancy.

Outlook

A 2020 review indicates that having preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of:

• chronic hypertension
• heart disease
• stroke
• death from cardiovascular disease

The Preeclampsia Foundation recommends trying to avoid the following to lower the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease:

• aiming for a BMI under 25
• aiming for blood pressure lower than 130/80
• lowering your intake of salt, unhealthy fats, and sugar
• avoiding smoking

Delivery of the baby is the only cure for preeclampsia.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about preeclampsia.

Can you manage preeclampsia at home?

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that needs medical attention and monitoring. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor might recommend bed rest and prescribe certain medications to prevent complications until delivery. With severe preeclampsia, preterm delivery might be necessary.

How long can you stay pregnant with preeclampsia?

How long you can stay pregnant with preeclampsia depends on the severity of your condition. For early onset preeclampsia where symptoms present before 30 weeks, delivery before 37 weeks and as early as 34 weeks might be necessary.

For later onset preeclampsia, early delivery might still be necessary, usually with an induction or C-section at 37 weeks.

What foods should you avoid with preeclampsia?

A 2022 study showed that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lowered risk of preeclampsia. It’s helpful for people with preeclampsia to try to maintain a balanced diet, which includes eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, and avoiding sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Summary

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that needs medical attention and monitoring. Symptoms include high blood pressure, blurry vision, swelling of your hands and feet, and headaches.

Treatments for preeclampsia depend on your specific needs and the severity of your symptoms, but can include blood pressure medications, or even anti-seizure medications.

The only cure for preeclampsia is delivering the baby.

Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you’re experiencing any concerning symptoms.