Maternal and fetal complications of pre-eclampsia

For the pregnant person, pre-eclampsia can place strain on the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, and blood-clotting system. Severe disease may lead to seizures, stroke, fluid in the lungs, liver injury, or problems with clotting. For the fetus, reduced placental function can limit oxygen and nutrients, restrict growth, reduce amniotic fluid, or cause changes in fetal wellbeing. Pre-eclampsia can also lead to placental separation or the need for birth before the expected date. These complications are why monitoring is individualised.

Care may include repeated blood-pressure checks, urine testing, blood tests, fetal movement discussions, growth scans, and heart-rate monitoring. Your maternity team may prescribe medicine, recommend observation, or arrange hospital care when findings are concerning. Birth is the treatment that ends pre-eclampsia, but timing depends on gestational age, symptoms, test results, and fetal condition. Antenatal Care Package visits help track these changes. Induction of Labour or Caesarean Section may be discussed when birth needs to happen promptly.

Contact your maternity unit urgently for a severe or persistent headache, vision changes, severe pain under the ribs or in the upper abdomen, sudden breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, fainting, a seizure, or marked swelling with feeling unwell. Reduced or changed fetal movements also needs immediate advice. Do not wait for the next appointment when these symptoms occur. If you have been given a home-monitoring plan, follow its thresholds and call if readings or symptoms concern you.

Which results show that pre-eclampsia is becoming severe? How often will my blood pressure, blood tests, and baby be monitored? What would make you recommend hospital care, induction, or a Caesarean birth?