Preeclampsia en español: what to know

The Spanish term is used for the same condition called preeclampsia or pre-eclampsia in English. It may involve the kidneys, liver, brain, or placenta and can occur during pregnancy or after birth. Possible warning signs include headache, vision changes, swelling, pain beneath the ribs, nausea, or breathlessness, but some people have no noticeable symptoms. Blood pressure, urine, blood tests, and fetal monitoring help guide assessment.

Tell the maternity team which language you prefer and request a qualified interpreter if needed. Ask for instructions about medicines, appointments, home blood-pressure checks, and warning signs in a language you understand. Keep your medication list available, attend antenatal reviews, and do not change treatment without clinical advice. Clear interpretation is especially useful when discussing induction or caesarean birth.

Seek urgent maternity help for a severe headache, blurred vision or flashing lights, severe upper-abdominal pain, sudden difficulty breathing, confusion, a seizure, or reduced fetal movement. Use emergency services for collapse, chest pain, or sudden weakness. Language difficulties should never delay reporting a warning sign.

Ask for the name of your condition and medicines in both languages, what each blood-pressure result means, which symptoms require immediate review, and how follow-up will work after birth. Ask who to contact when the clinic is closed.