Pre-eclampsia in labour

Your maternity team watches for changes in blood pressure, headache, vision, upper-abdominal pain, breathing, urine output and blood-test results. They also assess contractions, labour progress and the baby's heart rate. This helps them recognise when continuing labour is reasonable and when faster birth is safer.

Pre-eclampsia does not decide the birth method by itself. Cervical readiness, previous births, the baby's position, your symptoms and the urgency of delivery all contribute to the plan. You may be offered induction, assisted vaginal birth or caesarean birth according to the findings.

Tell staff about any new or worsening symptom, including a headache, visual change, pain under the ribs, nausea, breathlessness or reduced baby movements. Keep your medication history available and follow instructions about food, fluids and movement because the anaesthetic and birth plan may change.

Medicines can lower blood pressure and help prevent seizures; other treatment may be given if blood tests show organ stress. Ask the team to explain each medicine and the monitoring attached to it. Information on [Induction of Labour](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/induction-of-labour/) may help you prepare.

Use the emergency call system immediately for a seizure, severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe headache, vision loss or severe upper-abdominal pain. Before labour begins, seek urgent maternity care for these symptoms, vaginal bleeding or reduced fetal movement.

Ask what your current results show, how labour and the baby's heart rate will be monitored, which birth options remain open, and what observation will continue after delivery.