Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition in which blood pressure rises, usually after the 20th week, often with protein in the urine or signs that organs such as the liver or kidneys are affected. It can develop quietly and become dangerous for both mother and baby, which is why every antenatal visit includes a blood pressure check and urine test. Women who have had high blood pressure before, a previous pre-eclampsia, twins, diabetes, kidney disease or are over 35 or first-time mothers may have a higher risk.
Seek care immediately for a severe headache that does not ease, blurred vision, flashing lights or loss of sight, pain in the upper right or upper middle abdomen, sudden swelling of the face and hands, shortness of breath, vomiting, or the baby moving less than usual. A fit or seizure is an emergency and needs an ambulance or the nearest hospital without delay.
Do not skip antenatal appointments, even when you feel well. Take any medicine your doctor prescribes and do not start new tablets or herbal products without asking. After delivery, continue to watch for these symptoms and attend your postnatal check, because blood pressure problems can appear or persist in the weeks following birth.