Understanding the risk of eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia involves high blood pressure and signs that pregnancy is affecting organs such as the kidneys, liver, or brain. Risk is higher with a previous pre-eclampsia or eclampsia episode, chronic high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, or a multiple pregnancy. These factors do not mean eclampsia will happen. Some people have few symptoms, which is why blood-pressure checks and urine tests during antenatal care matter.

Warning symptoms can include a severe headache that does not settle, visual changes, pain under the ribs, sudden swelling of the face or hands, vomiting, confusion, or feeling unusually unwell. A seizure is an emergency whether or not high blood pressure was previously diagnosed.

Keep antenatal appointments and tell your maternity team about headaches, visual symptoms, upper-abdominal pain, or swelling that appears suddenly. Take prescribed blood-pressure medicine exactly as directed; do not stop it because a reading improves. Your team may monitor blood pressure, urine, blood tests, symptoms, and the baby's growth. Treatment can include medicine to prevent seizures and planning birth when that is safest; a Caesarean Section may be discussed when clinically needed.

Call emergency services immediately for a seizure, loss of consciousness, severe headache with visual changes, confusion, severe breathlessness, or severe pain beneath the ribs. During a seizure, keep the person safe from nearby objects, place them on their side when possible, and do not put anything in their mouth. Afterward, urgent hospital assessment is needed for the pregnant person and baby.

Ask how often your blood pressure should be checked, which readings or symptoms require hospital review, and whether preventive medicine is suitable. Discuss warning signs after birth too, because pre-eclampsia and eclampsia can develop in the postpartum period.