A sign of preeclampsia that pregnant women need to watch out for

Increased blood pressure is one of the most common changes during pregnancy. Yes, high blood pressure during pregnancy is quite worrying, especially if it keeps happening. This is no longer considered normal and could be a sign of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy that appears at the 20th week. This complication is quite serious and threatens the life of both the mother and the fetus. Then, what are the signs of preeclampsia that the mother should pay attention to?

Signs of preeclampsia in pregnant women

Knowing what the symptoms of hypertension and the signs of preeclampsia early can help you avoid the risk of complications of hypertension in a more severe pregnancy. If left untreated, the signs of preeclampsia have the potential to develop into a more serious condition, namely eclampsia.

Eclampsia is a condition in which pregnant women can experience seizures, coma, and even death. Fortunately, complications from preeclampsia are very rare as long as pregnant women can recognize the signs and routinely see a gynecologist.

In addition to eclampsia, signs of preeclampsia can also trigger HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet count). This syndrome usually occurs when the gestational age is approaching the estimated day of birth (HPL). This condition can affect the number of red blood cells, blood clotting, and liver function in pregnant women.

The following are various signs of preeclampsia in pregnant women that need to be aware of, namely:

1. High blood pressure

This sign of preeclampsia is usually the most common and easy to detect. This condition is characterized by blood pressure that is 140/90 mmHg even more when you have blood pressure checked. If this sign occurs in the 20th week of pregnancy while you have no previous history of high blood pressure, then immediately consult a doctor for a check on the possibility of preeclampsia.

According to a journal from Vascular Health and Risk Management, preeclampsia that is mild is usually characterized by a diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg. Meanwhile, signs of severe preeclampsia that could potentially harm mother and baby are indicated by systolic pressure above 160 mmHg, and diastolic pressure above 110 mmHg.

2. The presence of protein in the urine

Proteinuria or the presence of protein in the urine is also a sign of preeclampsia. The reason is, preeclampsia can damage the kidneys which function to filter fluids in the body.

Finally, the protein that should be absorbed by the blood to flow throughout the body actually enters the urine until it is finally excreted from the body. As a result, many beneficial proteins are actually lost from the body.

3. Swelling

Swelling is a perfectly normal condition during pregnancy. Usually this condition attacks the feet so that they look bigger than usual.

However, when the face, eyes and hands also swell, then you need to suspect that this is a sign of preeclampsia. If you experience these signs of preeclampsia, consult a doctor immediately.

4. Headache

A dull, heavy, throbbing headache can be a common symptom during pregnancy. However, you need to be aware of headaches accompanied by visual disturbances, pain under the ribs, and shortness of breath. This could be a sign of preeclampsia, especially if this condition starts to occur frequently at the age of 20 of pregnancy.

If the headache does not go away after you lie down, and is even accompanied by changes in vision and sensitivity to light, you should immediately consult a doctor. The signs of preeclampsia in the form of headaches are just as dangerous as other signs and have the potential to cause severe complications.

5. Sudden weight gain

Weight gain suddenly as much as one kilogram a week can be one of the characteristics you have preeclampsia. The reason is, damaged blood vessels allow water to leak into various body tissues and not enter the kidneys to be excreted through urine.

In addition, other signs of preeclampsia that you should be aware of are nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen and shoulders, and blurry vision.

If you experience the above signs of preeclampsia, consult your gynecologist immediately. The reason is, if this sign of preeclampsia is not treated quickly, it will cause a more severe and dangerous condition for the fetus.

6. Nausea and vomiting

You may think that the nausea and vomiting that you experience are just part of the usual pregnancy symptoms. However, you need to be careful if nausea and vomiting still occur after the first trimester of pregnancy. It could be that this is a sign of preeclampsia.

The reason is, the symptomsmorning sicknesswhich is common for pregnant women to generally occur in the early stages of pregnancy only. If you still feel nauseous, especially if the nausea appears suddenly, you need to get these early signs of preeclampsia checked by a doctor.

7. Hyperreflexia

Hyperreflexia is also part of the signs of preeclampsia, where your body's reflexes are too strong. For example, when you hit your knee or touch something, your knee or leg will bounce excessively.

This condition occurs due to an overreaction of the involuntary nervous system in your body. Generally, reflex changes in your body increase your chances of having a seizure, although seizures can also occur in the absence of hyperreflexia.

8. Anxiety accompanied by shortness of breath

The signs of preeclampsia can also appear in the form of excessive anxiety (anxiety), followed by symptoms of shortness of breath, increased pulse, and feeling dazed.

This condition is common when blood pressure increases, and may be related to fluid buildup or edema in the lungs.

Can these signs of preeclampsia affect the baby's condition?

The signs of preeclampsia that you are experiencing may affect the growth and development of the fetus in your womb. Preeclampsia has the potential to cause the placenta or placenta to lack blood supply.

If the placenta is not getting enough blood, the baby in your womb will also experience a lack of food and oxygen intake. As a result, the signs that a baby is affected by preeclampsia are babies born with a weight that is below average.

Fortunately, this can be prevented and you can still give birth to a normal baby if signs of preeclampsia are detected early. The most important thing you need to remember is to always pay attention to signs of preeclampsia that feel unusual, especially if these symptoms appear when you enter the last trimester of your pregnancy, or after the 20th week.

Make sure you also regularly check with your gynecologist. In addition, you can control the signs of preeclampsia by making lifestyle changes. For example, by reducing the consumption of salt and foods that trigger high blood pressure, drinking enough water, eating nutritious foods, and being diligent in exercising so that blood pressure can decrease.