0
The effect of preeclampsia is delivery. So far, the only way to "cure" preeclampsia is to deliver your baby no matter how early or preterm. If left untreated, the greatest loss of all can occur, the death of the mommy, the baby, or both.
My wife, Liz, ended up delivering our baby boy, Owen, nearly 5 weeks early. Her extremely high blood pressure was preventing nutrients from passing through the umbilical cord to baby Owen. Her blood pressure was a consistent 172/84 and after listening to the baby's heart beat, the doctors decided it was time to go to the hospital. After a couple of days in the hospital room, they ultimately tried inducing labor using the different drugs like pitocin. The problem was, little Owen's umbilical cord became wrapped around his neck which was preventing him from dropping down to where he needed to be to come out the natural way.
They decided to perform an emergency c-section to deliver Owen and to save the life of Elizabeth who's health was also deteriorating rapidly. One very big danger of preeclampsia is the protein in urine which is caused by the kidneys failing.
Even after the delivery, my wife's health was still failing. The color of her face and skin was a pale yellow and the whites of her eyes were also yellow. She was moved to the high risk floor of the hospital that had 24 hour monitoring and a security guard at the door. Her platelets were far too low, around 30,000 and her white blood cells were far too high. After many platelet transfusions, medicine, bed rest, and prayer, she started responding and improving. 4 days later we were given clearance to take our spectacular baby home. Liz was still on bed rest for the next 2 weeks and almost had to be admitted back to the hospital because her lab work still didn't look good. In the end we managed to slowly nurse her back to health and now she has made a full recovery.
Make sure to ask your primary delivery doctor any concerns you have that may be specific to your situation. Try your best not to worry, as stress and fear have a terrible effect on the body. Let your doctors look after the disease while you remain focused on a positive future; delivering a perfectly healthy baby.
What else can I help you with?
What is most important about diagnosis of preeclampsia?
Most importantly, it is clear that careful monitoring during pregnancy is necessary to diagnose preeclampsia early.
What are the most serious consequences of preeclampsia and eclampsia in the infant?
Babies born to preeclamptic mothers are often born prematurely, may be smaller than normal, which makes them more susceptible to complications during labor, delivery, and in early infancy.
What is the age of onset for developing preeclampsia?
The disease is most common in mothers under the age of 20, or over the age of 35.
What effects does oxytocin produce in females?
Oxytosin stimulates flowing of milk.Contracts muscles of womb during delivery of baby.
Condition during pregnancy marked by high blood pressure proteinuria and edema?
preeclampsia
Is preeclampsia hereditary?
While the exact cause of preeclampsia is unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics may play a role in predisposing women to the condition. Women with a family history of preeclampsia are at a higher risk of developing it themselves. However, there are also other factors that contribute to the development of preeclampsia, such as a woman's overall health and lifestyle.
How many cases of preeclampsia develop into eclampsia?
Eclampsia occurs in about 1 out of every 200 women with preeclampsia.
Is it safe to deliver at 35 weeks?
It is generally safe to go for delivery by 36 weeks. When indicated like in preeclampsia, you may go for delivery at 35 weeks. You may have to put the baby in premature baby unit to give that extra care.
What is the prevalence of preeclampsia in ethnic groups?
African-American women have higher rates of preeclampsia than do Caucasian women.
How is preclamica treated?
The only sure cure for preeclampsia is to deliver your baby. If delivery is not an option or your case is mild, the doctor will monitor your blood pressure and put you on medications to help lower blood pressure and prevent seizures.
Nursing diagnosis for preeclampsia?
Risk for injury related to preeclampsia. A nursing diagnosis for preeclampsia isn't really possible since we nurses can't practice medicine. We'll be assessing for clonus, epigastric pain, headache, etc. (Which are signs of impending eclampsia.)
How is mild preeclampsia and eclampsia treated?
Bed rest, with careful daily monitoring of weight, blood pressure, and urine protein. This careful monitoring will be required throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and even for 2-4 days after birth.
