Pregnancy poisoning and preeclampsia

Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time, but unfortunately it does not always go entirely without complications. One of these possible complications is preeclampsia, commonly known as pregnancy poisoning. It usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and affects about six to eight percent of all pregnant individuals. Here you will learn what the symptoms and risk factors of pregnancy poisoning look like and how it is diagnosed and treated.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy poisoning

Pre-eclampsia is commonly known as pregnancy poisoning in everyday language, but this is not entirely accurate, as the term encompasses several pregnancy-specific conditions. Currently, pre-eclampsia develops when the fertilized egg does not implant properly into the uterine lining. Signs of pre-eclampsia can be very nonspecific; they depend on the type of the condition and how advanced it already is. Clinically, pre-eclampsia is diagnosed when there is elevated blood pressure and additional protein excretion in the urine, often accompanied by increasing water retention in the feet and/or hands, and in extreme cases, also in the face.

Many pregnant women also experience headaches, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, pain in the right upper abdomen, or neurological disturbances, such as visual disturbances. All these symptoms can, but do not necessarily have to, indicate preeclampsia. Therefore, it is best to discuss these symptoms with your doctor if they occur. Signs that your doctor might also detect during the in the case of preeclampsia include fluid retention in the lungs, impaired kidney function, low platelet count, or an unusually small baby. In the worst case, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia (neurological disturbances and severe seizures) or HELLP syndrome (liver dysfunction and blood clotting disorder). This can be dangerous for both you as a pregnant woman and your unborn baby. Therefore, it is very important to take these signs seriously and have them checked by your doctor. In practice, you can also have a preventive assessment to determine whether you have an increased risk of preeclampsia.

Risk factors for pregnancy-induced hypertension

• Significant overweight

• Preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy

• Preeclampsia in the mother or sister

• Diabetes mellitus

• High blood pressure

• Kidney Diseases

• Liver diseases

• Change over 40 years

• Autoimmune Diseases

• Bleeding disorder

If your doctor fears a particularly high risk of preeclampsia, early diagnostics may also be helpful. Such a risk exists, for example, in mothers who have previously experienced preeclampsia with complications such as a or an early placental abruption during a prior pregnancy. In this case, a specialized ultrasound examination of the uterine vessels in the first trimester can provide an indication of future preeclampsia development. Additionally, it is possible to determine the individual risk for preeclampsia through specific blood tests. If abnormalities are detected during these tests, your doctor can prescribe medications that effectively prevent preeclampsia. According to recent studies, this can reduce the risk by over 60 percent.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If your doctor suspects preeclampsia, they will first measure your blood pressure on both arms. Additionally, your urine will be tested for protein, and your blood will be checked for protein, liver enzymes, and a low platelet count. Then, an ultrasound examination (Doppler sonography) will be performed to check the size of your baby and its blood supply. During the contraction monitor (CTG), your doctor will monitor your baby's heartbeat and any signs of labor. An ultrasound of your liver may also be performed for further examination.

The treatment of a pregnancy poisoning depends heavily on the symptoms. In mild cases and in the early stages of preeclampsia, it is often sufficient to rest and possibly stay in bed. Your doctor may also prescribe antihypertensive medications.

If the symptoms do not subside or your blood pressure continues to rise, it may be necessary for you to receive further treatment in the hospital, where you can be closely monitored and quickly and competently cared for. During an inpatient stay, in addition to a blood pressure protocol, the absolute amount of protein in the urine over 24 hours and your blood will be thoroughly examined. You can be adjusted to various blood pressure-lowering medications, and you may also receive magnesium to prevent cramps. Additionally, your baby will be continuously monitored with the CTG. Unfortunately, it can happen that your baby needs to be born prematurely to avoid risks to you or the baby. Especially in the case of HELLP syndrome, the pregnancy often has to be ended earlier. For this situation, you are best cared for in the hospital, ideally with a neonatal intensive care unit.

Nowadays, long-term effects for mothers and babies who experienced preeclampsia are fortunately very rare. This is mainly because the condition is usually detected and treated very early during routine prenatal check-ups. Especially if you have risk factors for preeclampsia (but of course also otherwise), it is important that you attend your prenatal appointments and share your concerns and questions with your doctor. This way, you and your baby will receive optimal care and can enjoy the pregnancy with peace of mind.