Preeclampsia symptoms at 21 weeks

Preeclampsia can develop from the middle of pregnancy and may first be found during a routine blood-pressure or urine check, even when you feel well. Symptoms that can occur include a headache that persists, flashing lights or blurred vision, pain under the ribs, sudden swelling of the face or hands, vomiting or breathlessness.

These symptoms also have other possible causes, such as migraine, reflux or ordinary pregnancy changes. That does not make them safe to ignore: a clinician needs to check blood pressure and may test urine and blood to look for effects on the kidneys, liver or blood cells.

Call your maternity team or obstetric service if any warning symptom is new, persistent or worsening. Mention that you are 21 weeks pregnant, describe the symptom precisely, and share any home blood-pressure result if available. Keep your scheduled antenatal appointments; monitoring through an Antenatal Care Package can identify changes before symptoms become obvious.

Seek urgent care for severe headache, visual disturbance, intense pain beneath the ribs, repeated vomiting, sudden swelling or feeling markedly unwell. Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, collapse, seizure or confusion. Do not drive yourself if your vision or alertness is affected.

Ask how your blood pressure compares with earlier visits, whether urine and blood tests are needed, and when the next check should happen. Ask what to do if symptoms return at night and how the care plan could change if results remain abnormal.