What should you know about eclampsia during pregnancy?

Eclampsia is usually considered in connection with pre-eclampsia, which can affect blood pressure, the kidneys, liver, brain, and placenta. Some people develop warning symptoms first, while others have few noticeable clues. A maternity team may check blood pressure repeatedly, test urine and blood, assess reflexes and neurological symptoms, and monitor the baby.

A severe headache, flashing lights or blurred vision, pain high in the abdomen, sudden swelling, shortness of breath, confusion, or repeated vomiting can signal a problem. These symptoms are not proof of eclampsia, but they deserve urgent professional assessment during pregnancy.

Call your maternity unit or emergency services promptly for severe symptoms, and use emergency services immediately if a seizure occurs. While waiting, lie on your side if possible, keep the area clear, and ask someone to stay nearby. Do not put anything in the mouth or try to stop the seizure. Clinicians may give medicine to prevent further seizures, lower dangerously high blood pressure, support breathing, and decide when delivery is safest.

Treat a seizure in pregnancy as an emergency. Call for help for a new seizure, fainting, difficulty breathing, severe headache with vision changes, confusion, or severe pain under the ribs. Do not travel alone or delay because you are unsure whether your blood pressure is high. Tell responders how far along the pregnancy is and whether there has been a recent delivery.

Ask how your blood pressure and urine results will be followed, which symptoms require immediate review, and whether you need observation in hospital. You can also ask how medicines affect the baby, what monitoring is planned, and what circumstances could lead to induction or caesarean birth.