Signs of preeclampsia in the first trimester

Preeclampsia involves pregnancy-related changes that can affect blood pressure and organs. It is usually considered after the middle of pregnancy, so symptoms in the first trimester may have another explanation, including severe vomiting, migraine, infection, or an existing blood-pressure problem. Concerning symptoms can include a severe or persistent headache, visual changes, pain beneath the ribs, sudden swelling of the face or hands, breathlessness, or feeling unusually unwell. Symptoms alone cannot confirm the condition; blood-pressure checks, urine testing, and other assessments may be needed.

Contact your maternity team promptly if these symptoms are new, severe, or persistent, even if you have not previously had high blood pressure. Rest while arranging help, and record when symptoms began and any medicines you have taken. Do not start aspirin or blood-pressure medicine without advice. Routine visits such as an Antenatal Care Package can include checks that help clinicians identify changes, but a worrying symptom should not wait for the next appointment.

Seek emergency care for severe headache with vision changes, chest pain, marked breathlessness, fainting, confusion, a seizure, or severe upper-abdominal pain. Also seek urgent assessment if you cannot keep fluids down or feel rapidly worse. Take your maternity records and ask someone to accompany you if possible. Treatment decisions depend on your examination, pregnancy stage, blood pressure, and test results; an early concern does not by itself determine whether induction or caesarean birth will be needed.

Ask: What is my blood pressure and does it need repeating? Do my urine or blood tests show any organ strain? Which symptoms should send me straight to hospital? When should I return for monitoring, and which medicines are suitable in pregnancy?