Clinical manifestations of preeclampsia

It may cause no obvious symptoms, which is why blood pressure and urine checks at antenatal visits matter. Possible warning features include a severe headache, visual disturbance, pain beneath the ribs, sudden swelling, nausea, vomiting or feeling very unwell.

Pre-eclampsia involves the placenta and the pregnant person's blood vessels. It can affect the kidneys, liver, brain, blood clotting and placental blood flow. A baby may grow more slowly when the placenta is not working well, so assessment can include blood tests and ultrasound monitoring as well as blood pressure and urine checks.

Swelling of the feet and ankles is common in pregnancy and does not diagnose pre-eclampsia by itself. Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, hands or body is more concerning when it occurs with raised blood pressure, headache, vision changes or upper abdominal pain.

Contact your maternity unit promptly if warning symptoms appear, even if a recent antenatal appointment was reassuring. A clinician may repeat your blood pressure correctly, test urine for protein, take blood to assess organ function, and check the baby's growth, movements and wellbeing.

Care depends on the severity of the findings and the stage of pregnancy. Monitoring may happen at home, in an assessment unit or in hospital. Treatment can include medicine to lower blood pressure and prevent seizures. Planning the timing of birth is part of management, so the team may discuss induction of labour or caesarean birth when continuing the pregnancy poses greater concern.

Seek urgent maternity assessment for a severe or persistent headache, blurred vision, flashing lights, pain below the ribs, repeated vomiting, sudden facial or hand swelling, reduced baby movements, breathlessness or a strong sense that something is wrong. Call local emergency services for a seizure, collapse, severe breathing difficulty, confusion or loss of consciousness.

Ask which findings support the diagnosis, whether your blood tests show liver, kidney or clotting changes, how the baby's growth will be watched, and what symptoms require an immediate return. Clarify your medicine plan, the proposed timing and method of birth, and how your blood pressure will be checked after delivery.