When to worry about vision changes in pregnancy with eclampsia

Eclampsia is a pregnancy-related emergency involving seizures in the setting of hypertensive disease. Vision symptoms can include blurred or double vision, flashing lights, spots, or temporary loss of vision. They may occur with a severe headache, pain beneath the ribs, nausea, vomiting, swelling, breathlessness, confusion, or feeling very unwell. Symptoms can happen during pregnancy or after birth, so do not dismiss them because delivery has already occurred.

Call emergency services now or have someone take you to an emergency department. Do not drive yourself. Tell the team that you are pregnant or recently gave birth and describe the vision change, headache, pain, or seizure activity. If a seizure occurs, keep the person safe from nearby objects, place them on their side when possible, and do not put food, drink, or objects in their mouth. Follow the emergency team’s instructions.

Emergency help is needed for any seizure, persistent or sudden vision change, severe headache, fainting, confusion, chest pain, breathlessness, severe upper-abdominal pain, or heavy bleeding. Even if the symptom improves, urgent assessment is still needed because serious complications can progress quickly and may not be obvious from how you feel between episodes.

Once you are safe, ask what blood-pressure monitoring, medicines, warning signs, and follow-up are needed. Ask how long to remain under observation and whom to contact if vision symptoms, headache, pain, or confusion return after leaving care.