What should you know about early warning signs of preeclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition involving high blood pressure and possible effects on organs such as the kidneys or liver. Some people have no noticeable symptoms, which is why antenatal appointments check blood pressure and urine. Warning symptoms may include a severe or persistent headache that does not improve, flashing lights or blurred vision, pain beneath the ribs, sudden swelling of the face or hands, vomiting later in pregnancy, or a clear sense that something is wrong. These symptoms can have other causes, but they should not be dismissed.

Contact your maternity unit, obstetric team or urgent medical service promptly and describe the symptom, when it began and how it is changing. Keep antenatal appointments even when you feel well. Bring your medication list and any home blood-pressure readings, but do not delay assessment while repeatedly checking at home. The team may repeat blood pressure, test urine and blood, assess the baby, and decide whether closer monitoring or treatment is needed.

Get emergency help for severe headache, major vision changes, severe upper-abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, heavy bleeding, or rapidly increasing swelling with feeling unwell. Reduced fetal movement also needs immediate maternity advice. Pre-eclampsia can occur after delivery as well as during pregnancy, so urgent symptoms after birth still require assessment.

Ask what your blood pressure and urine results mean, which symptoms should trigger same-day contact, how the baby will be monitored, and what delivery planning might involve if the condition develops.