⚠️ Men's Health

Preeclampsia Warning Signs

Q: Can preeclampsia happen without symptoms?

Yes — that is why blood pressure is checked at every ANC visit. Many women feel well despite having dangerously high blood pressure. Never skip ANC visits assuming you feel fine.

Q: Will preeclampsia come back in my next pregnancy?

If you had severe or early-onset preeclampsia, your risk in the next pregnancy is 15–25%. Starting low-dose aspirin from 12 weeks and ensuring BP is well-controlled before conception reduces this risk significantly.

Q: Is preeclampsia the same as eclampsia?

No. Preeclampsia is the hypertensive disorder with organ involvement. Eclampsia is preeclampsia that has progressed to seizures — a medical emergency with much higher death rates. Magnesium sulphate both prevents and treats eclampsia.

Q: Can I deliver at home if I have preeclampsia?

Absolutely not. Preeclampsia and eclampsia require hospital management, IV medications, continuous monitoring, and rapid access to caesarean section. Home delivery with preeclampsia is extremely dangerous for both mother and baby.

A dangerous pregnancy complication — recognise it before it becomes eclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmHg) and signs of organ damage — most commonly protein in the urine — after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It affects 2–8% of pregnancies globally and is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal death in Nigeria. Without treatment, preeclampsia can progress to eclampsia (seizures), stroke, organ failure, and death. The only cure is delivery of the baby and placenta. Early detection at antenatal visits and prompt action saves lives.

Signs and Symptoms

✓ High blood pressure: ≥ 140/90 mmHg on two readings 4 hours apart

✓ Severe headache that does not respond to paracetamol

✓ Visual disturbances: blurred vision, flashing lights, seeing spots

✓ Swelling (oedema) of the face, hands, and ankles (sudden or severe)

✓ Pain in the upper right abdomen or epigastric (stomach) pain

✓ Nausea and vomiting after 20 weeks (new onset)

✓ Shortness of breath (fluid on lungs — pulmonary oedema)

✓ Reduced urine output or dark coloured urine

✓ Sudden weight gain of more than 1kg per week (fluid retention)

Risk Factors

First pregnancy (highest risk — 3–5x more common)
Previous preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy
Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
Chronic hypertension or kidney disease before pregnancy
Diabetes (pre-existing or gestational)
Obesity (BMI > 30) before pregnancy
Age under 20 or over 40
Family history of preeclampsia (mother or sister)
Autoimmune conditions: lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome
IVF conception (higher risk than spontaneous conception)

When to Seek Help

EMERGENCY — call for help immediatelySeizures (eclampsia), loss of consciousness, inability to see, or severe chest pain require emergency care NOW

Same-day hospital attendanceSevere headache + high BP, vision changes, right upper abdominal pain, or sudden severe oedema — do not wait for next ANC visit

Blood pressure ≥ 160/110 mmHg at homeSevere hypertension in pregnancy requires urgent IV treatment to prevent stroke

Reduced fetal movement with any preeclampsia symptomBaby may be compromised — needs immediate CTG (cardiotocography) monitoring

Any preeclampsia symptom before 34 weeksPreterm preeclampsia has highest complication rates — specialist management required

Tests & Diagnosis

🧪 Blood pressure monitoring

At every ANC visit — the most important screening tool. Home BP monitoring recommended for high-risk women

🧪 Urine dipstick for protein

≥ 2+ protein on dipstick triggers formal 24-hour urine protein collection or PCR/ACR ratio

🧪 Full blood count

Thrombocytopaenia (low platelets < 100,000) is a sign of HELLP syndrome — a severe preeclampsia variant

🧪 Liver function tests

Raised AST/ALT indicates liver involvement in HELLP syndrome

🧪 Kidney function tests

Rising creatinine shows kidney involvement and worsening severity

🧪 Uric acid

Raised uric acid correlates with severity and fetal compromise

🧪 Fetal ultrasound and Doppler

Assesses fetal growth restriction and umbilical artery blood flow — fetal compromise requires earlier delivery

🧪 PlGF (placental growth factor)

A newer blood test that can help confirm or rule out preeclampsia — becoming available in some Nigerian tertiary hospitals

Treatment Options

Antihypertensive drugs

Labetalol, methyldopa, or nifedipine are safe in pregnancy. IV labetalol or hydralazine for severe hypertension (≥ 160/110)

Magnesium sulphate

The most important drug — prevents and treats eclamptic seizures. Given IV or IM in hospital. Life-saving and widely available

Low-dose aspirin (prevention)

75–150mg daily from 12–16 weeks for high-risk women reduces preeclampsia risk by 10–20%

Calcium supplementation

1.5g/day in women with low dietary calcium intake reduces preeclampsia by about 50%

Delivery

The only cure. Timing depends on severity and gestational age. Mild preeclampsia: deliver by 37 weeks. Severe: often earlier

Corticosteroids (if preterm)

Betamethasone or dexamethasone given to accelerate fetal lung maturity if delivery before 34 weeks likely

Frequently Asked Questions

Can preeclampsia happen without symptoms?

Yes — that is why blood pressure is checked at every ANC visit. Many women feel well despite having dangerously high blood pressure. Never skip ANC visits assuming you feel fine.

Will preeclampsia come back in my next pregnancy?