Preeclampsia, The silent Killer of our Mothers and their Babies.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after twenty(20) weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal. Even a slight rise in blood pressure may be a sign of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia, if left untreated can lead to serious even fatal complications for both the mother and the baby. If you have preeclampsia, the only cure is delivery of your baby. Symptoms Preeclampsia sometimes develops without any symptoms. High blood pressure. This may develop slowly, or it may have a sudden onset. Monitoring your blood pressure is an important part of prenatal care because the first sign of preeclampsia is commonly a rise in blood pressure. Blood pressure that exceeds 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) or greater — documented on two occasions, at least four hours apart — is abnormal. Excess protein in your urine (prot...