What are the first signs of pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition involving high blood pressure and possible effects on organs such as the kidneys or liver. It can develop after the middle of pregnancy or after birth, and some people feel well at first. This is why antenatal appointments include blood-pressure checks and urine assessment. Symptoms that may occur include a severe or persistent headache, flashing lights or blurred vision, sudden swelling of the face or hands, pain beneath the ribs, nausea, or feeling unusually unwell.

Tell your maternity team promptly about a new headache, visual change, sudden swelling, upper abdominal pain, or a strong sense that something is wrong. Do not wait for the next routine appointment. The team may repeat blood pressure, test urine and blood, assess the baby, and decide how closely you need monitoring. Keep taking prescribed medicines unless your clinician tells you otherwise.

Seek urgent maternity or emergency care for severe headache that does not settle, vision changes, severe abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, confusion, seizure, collapse, or rapidly worsening swelling. These warning signs require immediate assessment for pre-eclampsia and related complications.

Ask what your blood pressure and urine results mean, which symptoms should trigger an immediate call, and how often you need review. Discuss how monitoring affects decisions about continuing pregnancy, induction of labour, or caesarean section if the condition becomes serious.