Pre-eclampsia And Eclampsia

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Preeclampsia (toxemia) and eclampsia are conditions that can develop during week 20 or later of pregnancy. Most often you will have high blood pressure and protein in your urine when you have preeclampsia. You may have headaches, blurred vision, and swelling in your face, hands, and legs. Preeclampsia progresses to eclampsia if you have a seizure. This does not include women with a known seizure disorder. These conditions can create mild to life-threatening health problems for you and your unborn baby.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Preeclampsia and eclampsia can create serious health problems for you and your unborn baby. Your baby may not grow as he should and may need to be delivered early. Placental abruption can occur if the placenta pulls away from the uterus too soon. This condition is life-threatening for your baby. High blood pressure that is not controlled can lead to blood clots, kidney or liver failure, or stroke in the mother.
  
  
• Severe forms of preeclampsia cause seizures or coma. A coma is when you look like you are asleep but you cannot be awakened. Preeclampsia and eclampsia can sometimes develop up to 30 days after birth, though the risk is highest 1 to 2 days after delivery. Ask your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your pregnancy, condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Vital signs:

Caregivers will check your heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will check your blood pressure often to watch for changes. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

Oxygen:

You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.

Intake and output:

Caregivers will keep track of the amount of liquid you are getting. They also may need to know how much you are urinating. Ask caregivers if they need to measure or collect your urine.

Padded bed rails:

Caregivers will pad the side rails of the hospital bed to protect you in case you have a seizure.

Bedrest:

Caregivers may want you to stay in bed. Try to lie on your left side. Ask your caregiver about activities you can and cannot do.

Medicines:

• Blood pressure medicine: This medicine helps lower your blood pressure to protect your heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, and unborn baby.
  
  
• Magnesium sulfate: This medicine prevents seizures. This medicine is commonly given through an IV.
  
  
• Steroids: This medicine is given 12 to 24 hours before you baby is delivered if he needs to be born early. The medicine helps your baby’s lungs develop.

Tests:

• Blood tests: Blood tests are done to check the function of your liver and kidneys. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. You will need blood tests more than once.
  
  
• Urine test: Caregivers collect a urine sample to test for protein.
  
  
• Reflexes: Caregivers may check your deep tendon reflexes (DTRs). DTRs are done to check your nervous system. A soft rubber hammer is tapped on different tendons (tissue that attaches muscle to bone), such in your elbow or knee.

Fetal monitoring:

• External fetal heart monitoring: Caregivers may use this to monitor your baby's heartbeat, and the contractions of your uterus. A small metal disc (monitor) with gel on it is placed on your abdomen. A belt will be fastened around your waist to hold the monitor in place. The monitor may need to be moved as your baby moves inside you. It may also be put on and taken off, or left in place. The monitor is attached to a machine with a TV-type screen, or a printer. The screen or the paper print out shows a tracing of your uterus contracting, and the baby's heartbeat.
  
  
• Nonstress test (NST): This test is a simple way for your caregiver to check how your baby is doing. It uses a fetal heart monitor to watch your baby's heart rate. A baby's heart rate usually increases when he moves around or when your uterus has a contraction. A contraction is when the muscles of your uterus tighten and loosen. You may sit in a reclining chair or with the head of your bed raised during this test. Your caregiver may ask you to stand up or move around during the test. You may need this test more than once.
  
  
• Fetal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to show pictures of your baby (fetus) inside your uterus. Gel is put on your abdomen, and a small handle is gently moved through the gel. As this is done, pictures of your baby and the placenta can be seen on a monitor. Caregivers can learn the age of your baby and see how fast he is growing. They can also see the movement, heart rate, and position of your baby.
  
  
• Amniotic fluid index: Caregivers use an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid around your unborn baby. Amniotic fluid cushions and protects your baby as he grows. Low amounts of amniotic fluid can limit his growth.
  
  
• Umbilical cord Doppler: An umbilical cord Doppler test checks blood flow through the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord carries nutrients from the placenta to your unborn baby. A small metal disc with gel on it is placed on your skin over the umbilical artery. You can hear a whooshing sound when the blood is flowing through the artery.

Delivery:

Preeclampsia and eclampsia usually end after your baby is born. Caregivers may deliver your baby right away if he is full-term. You may need to deliver your baby early if you or the baby have life-threatening symptoms.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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