Preeclampsia during delivery

The team may monitor you more frequently and use medicines to control blood pressure or reduce seizure risk when clinically indicated. They may also track contractions, fetal heart rate, urine output, and blood results. The safest route and timing of birth depend on your condition, your baby's status, how far labour has progressed, and whether treatment is working. Preeclampsia does not automatically determine a caesarean birth.

Tell staff about headache, vision changes, chest or upper-abdominal pain, breathlessness, or reduced fetal movement as soon as they occur. Bring your medication information and follow instructions about monitoring, eating, drinking, and medicines. Your team may recommend induction when vaginal birth is suitable, or caesarean birth when a faster delivery is needed.

During labour or while waiting for advice, call urgently for a severe headache, visual disturbance, severe pain beneath the ribs, breathing difficulty, confusion, collapse, or a seizure. Reduced fetal movement also needs immediate maternity assessment.

Ask how often your blood pressure will be checked, which medicines may be used, what would change the birth plan, and how you and your baby will be observed after delivery. Ask when you may eat, drink, move, and receive pain relief.