As they prepare to enter the sacred stage of childbirth, expectant mothers need to be cautious of preeclampsia, a condition that may lead to extremely dangerous complications.
What is preeclampsia in pregnant women?
Preeclampsia is one of the dangerous complications that poses serious risks to the health of both the mother and the fetus. This condition results from gestational toxemia and typically develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, with the highest incidence occurring after the 37th week, affecting approximately 5–8% of all pregnant women.
Preeclampsia is a serious complication that threatens the health of both the expectant mother and the fetus.
The condition develops as a result of reduced blood perfusion to vital organs caused by vascular constriction and endothelial thickening. It is more common in pregnant women with underlying conditions such as kidney disease, Basedow’s disease, or diabetes. Preeclampsia can lead to maternal complications including liver and kidney damage, hemorrhage (uncontrollable bleeding), or seizures during labor, while also causing fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, and in severe cases, intrauterine death.
Depending on its severity, preeclampsia may present with abnormal symptoms such as sudden hypertension, shortness of breath, or seizures. However, not all expectant mothers fully recognize the potential dangers of this pregnancy complication.
Causes of preeclampsia
Several studies suggest that preeclampsia may originate from the placenta, the organ responsible for nourishing the fetus throughout pregnancy.
In early pregnancy, blood vessels normally develop to supply adequate blood flow to the placenta, ensuring proper nourishment of the growing fetus. However, in mothers with preeclampsia, these vessels fail to develop fully. They are often narrower than normal and respond abnormally to hormonal signals, resulting in reduced blood flow to the placenta.
The underlying causes of this condition may include insufficient blood supply to the uterus, vascular damage, genetic factors, or immune system disorders.
Risk factors for preeclampsia
To date, no scientific study has identified a definitive cause of preeclampsia. However, several factors are believed to increase the risk of this dangerous complication in pregnant women:
- Pregnant women with chronic hypertension
- Mothers with certain disorders such as clotting abnormalities, kidney disease, a history of diabetes, or autoimmune diseases like lupus
- Overweight or obese mothers, which increases the risk of preeclampsia
- Family history of preeclampsia (mother, grandmother, aunt, etc.)
- Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
- First-time mothers
- History of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Poor nutritional status during pregnancy
- Advanced maternal age (pregnancy after 40 years old)
- Having children with a different partner increases the risk compared to previous pregnancies with the same partner
- Ethnicity: Black women have a higher risk of preeclampsia compared to women of other races
- Short or long interpregnancy intervals — less than 2 years or more than 10 years between pregnancies may raise the risk
- Pregnancy conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) is associated with a higher risk compared to natural conception
Complications of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is one of the most dangerous pregnancy complications. If not detected and managed promptly, it can seriously affect the health of both mother and baby, and in severe cases, may even lead to maternal and fetal death.
The complications of preeclampsia are extremely dangerous, with serious consequences for both the expectant mother and the fetus.
For the mother
Even when managed, preeclampsia may progress to eclampsia. The clinical manifestations of this complication include recurrent seizures followed by coma. Without timely intervention, the mother may continue seizing until death occurs.
Preeclampsia increases the risk of placental abruption. In severe cases, this condition may cause massive bleeding, posing a life-threatening risk to both mother and baby. Additionally, hemorrhagic complications such as retinal bleeding or hepatic hemorrhage may occur, which are extremely dangerous.
Preeclampsia raises the mother’s risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, which can significantly impact her long-term health and quality of life.
Preeclampsia may lead to complications such as impaired liver function and coagulation disorders. In particular, coagulation disorders are extremely dangerous and represent one of the leading causes of maternal death, as their management is often very challenging.
Preeclampsia may progress to HELLP syndrome, an acronym for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. This condition presents with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache. HELLP syndrome is highly dangerous and can rapidly become life-threatening for both mother and baby.
Acute renal failure is also a serious complication of preeclampsia, accounting for up to 23% of maternal deaths.
In addition, preeclampsia can lead to acute pulmonary edema and acute heart failure. These complications often occur within a few hours before or after delivery. Without timely intervention, they pose a serious threat to the mother’s health.
The most severe complication of preeclampsia is maternal death - an outcome no one ever wishes to face.
For the fetus
Preeclampsia not only affects the mother but also has a direct impact on the unborn child.
If the mother develops preeclampsia, it may result in stillbirth. In addition, reduced blood flow to the placenta can deprive the unborn child of essential nutrients, leading to growth restriction and impaired fetal development.
In addition, preeclampsia may lead to preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns are also at risk of early neonatal death due to complications such as asphyxia, birth trauma, or pulmonary hemorrhage.
Symptoms of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is primarily characterized by three key symptoms: hypertension, proteinuria, and edema.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is essential to consult a physician promptly for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
- High blood pressure: 140/90 mmHg or higher
- Excess protein in the urine: > 0.3 g/L
- Visual disturbances such as blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Swelling (edema) in the hands, feet, and face — though this is also common in many pregnancies and does not always confirm preeclampsia
- Upper abdominal pain, often beneath the ribs on the right side
- Sudden unexplained weight gain, which may reach up to 2 kg per week
- Frequent nausea and vomiting
- Persistent headaches or dizziness
- Reduced urine output
The above signs may also indicate other medical conditions or simply normal changes during pregnancy. To be certain, expectant mothers should seek examinations at reputable healthcare facilities.
How is preeclampsia treated?
The treatment of preeclampsia depends on the stage of pregnancy and the severity of the symptoms.
If preeclampsia is mild to moderate and occurs before 36 weeks of pregnancy, you may be advised to rest at home. Your blood pressure will be monitored regularly to ensure it does not rise too high. In some cases, women may need hospitalization for closer monitoring and a prescribed rest regimen.
If preeclampsia is severe and the fetus is sufficiently mature, induction of labor or cesarean delivery is recommended. Prior to delivery, corticosteroid injections may be administered to help accelerate fetal lung maturity. In rare cases where severe preeclampsia develops before the 24th week of pregnancy, termination of the pregnancy may be necessary to save the mother’s life.
Regardless of severity, if preeclampsia occurs after 36 weeks of pregnancy, physicians may recommend cesarean delivery or induction of labor.
If eclampsia develops, the mother may be given antihypertensive and anticonvulsant medications to control seizures, followed by an emergency cesarean section.
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Prevention of preeclampsia
At present, since no study has identified the exact cause of preeclampsia, there is no definitive method to completely prevent this dangerous complication in pregnant women.
Therefore, the most important and urgent approach is prevention. A healthy diet and lifestyle play a crucial role in reducing the risk of preeclampsia in expectant mothers.
- Adequate supplementation of DHA and EPA helps in preventing preeclampsia. Omega-3–rich foods include salmon, cauliflower, walnuts, and sesame seeds.
- Expectant mothers should also ensure sufficient calcium intake throughout pregnancy, as it may reduce the risk of preeclampsia by up to 49% in low-risk women and up to 82% in high-risk women. Calcium-rich foods include milk, asparagus, okra, and broccoli.
- In addition, adequate vitamin D intake may lower the risk of preeclampsia by 27%. Vitamin D sources include cod liver oil, whole grains, and shiitake mushrooms.
- Regular exercise is also an effective way to improve overall health and minimize the risk of preeclampsia.
- Most importantly, all pregnant women should undergo close monitoring throughout pregnancy. Any abnormal signs should prompt immediate medical consultation for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
Preeclampsia is a highly dangerous condition for expectant mothers. Therefore, prevention, early detection, and timely treatment are crucial measures that every pregnant woman should pay special attention to in order to protect the health of both mother and child.
For consultation and registration of antenatal care, screening, and treatment of preeclampsia at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, please contact our hotlines:
- 024 7300 8866 ext 0 (No. 8 Chau Van Liem, Phu Do Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi)- 024 3927 5568 ext 0 (No. 55 Yen Ninh, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) Or register online HERE:
Note: The information provided in this article by Hong Ngoc General Hospital is for reference only and should not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Patients must not self-medicate. For an accurate assessment of their condition, they should visit a hospital for direct consultation, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment planning by a physician.
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