How to help prevent eclampsia

Eclampsia is a seizure associated with pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorders. It can happen during pregnancy or after birth, sometimes after warning symptoms have been mild or absent. Antenatal visits help clinicians check blood pressure, urine, symptoms, and the baby's growth and wellbeing.

The risk plan may include closer appointments, blood-pressure medicine, tests, hospital observation, or medication to prevent seizures when clinicians judge it appropriate. Do not stop prescribed medicine or change its dose without speaking with your maternity team.

Attend every pregnancy and postnatal review, take prescribed medicines as directed, and keep a record of home blood-pressure readings if your clinician asks you to monitor them. Tell the team about severe headache, visual changes, upper abdominal pain, sudden swelling, breathlessness, or feeling very unwell.

Resting or changing your diet cannot replace assessment and treatment. If the condition becomes dangerous, birth may be recommended; this can include a [Caesarean Section](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/caesarean-section/) when clinically appropriate.

Call emergency services for a seizure, loss of consciousness, severe breathing difficulty, or collapse. During a seizure, protect the person from injury, place them on their side when possible, do not put anything in their mouth, and stay with them until help arrives. Seek urgent maternity assessment for severe headache, visual disturbance, severe upper abdominal pain, or sudden worsening illness.

Ask what your blood-pressure and urine results mean, how often you need review, which symptoms require emergency care, and which medicines are suitable. Ask how the team would decide between continued monitoring and delivery, including care after birth.