Why preeclampsia after delivery

Postpartum preeclampsia typically occurs within the first 7 days after delivery. However, a woman can still be at risk for 6 weeks after delivery. High blood pressure sometimes causes no symptoms at all. Other symptoms may include:. In some women, preeclampsia is mild, but in others, it can be life threatening. Women often cannot tell how severe their case is based on the symptoms alone, so it is important to seek prompt medical care.

If the doctor does not answer or does not take the symptoms seriously, go to the emergency room or call Ensure that the emergency department knows that the woman seeking care recently gave birth.

Anyone can develop preeclampsia during or after pregnancy. However, some women have a higher risk than others. While doctors have established a clear list of risk factors for preeclampsia during pregnancy, research has not clearly determined which specific factors put a woman at risk for high blood pressure after birth. High blood pressure can also damage the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other types of cardiovascular disease.

They note that doctors should diagnose preeclampsia if there is persistent high blood pressure and other associated symptoms, including protein in the urine, decreased blood platelets, or fluid in the lungs. If seizures occur, the diagnosis becomes eclampsia. Doctors treat preeclampsia with medication to lower blood pressure. They may also prescribe medication to reduce the risk of seizures. For example, they might advise a woman to take magnesium sulfate before delivery.

This drug can help reduce the chance of seizures. The woman should continue to take magnesium sulfate for 24 hours after delivery. Women who have preeclampsia develop high blood pressure and may also have signs that some of her organs, like her kidneys and liver, may not be working normally. When preeclampsia happens shortly after having a baby, it is called postpartum preeclampsia. Although postpartum preeclampsia is a rare condition, it is also very dangerous. It can be even more dangerous than preeclampsia during pregnancy because it can be hard to identify.

After your baby is born, your attention is mostly focused on his needs. To identify the signs of postpartum preeclampsia you also need to make sure you are paying attention to your body and how you are feeling.

Identifying the signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia and getting help right away is extremely important. Postpartum preeclampsia needs to be treated immediately to avoid serious complications, including death. Your provider uses blood and urine tests to diagnose postpartum preeclampsia. Treatment can include magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures and medicine to help lower your blood pressure.

Medicine to prevent seizures also is called anticonvulsive medicine. March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies.

We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start.

Building on a successful year legacy, we support every pregnant person and every family. Walls RM, et al. Acute complications of pregnancy. Elsevier; Sharma KJ, et al. Postpartum hypertension: Etiology, diagnosis, and management.

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