What should you know about puerperal eclampsia?

Eclampsia can occur during pregnancy or after delivery. It is often linked with high blood pressure and changes affecting the brain, but a seizure after birth should be treated as an emergency even when earlier blood-pressure checks were reassuring. Warning symptoms can include a severe headache, visual disturbance, confusion, upper abdominal pain, sudden swelling, or shortness of breath.

Call emergency services immediately. Keep the person away from hard or sharp objects, cushion the head, and turn her onto her side when possible. Do not restrain her, place anything in her mouth, or give food, drink, or tablets during the seizure. Tell responders that she has recently given birth and report when the seizure began.

A first seizure, a seizure lasting longer than expected, repeated seizures, loss of consciousness, severe headache, new visual symptoms, chest pain, or breathing difficulty all require emergency care. Do not drive yourself if symptoms are active. Hospital treatment may include seizure control, blood-pressure management, monitoring, and assessment of complications.

Ask what may have triggered the episode, how blood pressure will be monitored, which medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, what warning symptoms to watch for, and when follow-up is needed.