Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Preeclampsia

SO, I went to the doctor this morning. Last time I went my blood pressure was high and this time it was even a little higher so they doctor sent me over to the labor and delivery in the hospital. When I got there they did the stress test and took some blood. They think I may have preeclampsia. So, I have to collect my pee for 24 hrs and bring it back in the morning and do the tests again! So, I'm on bedrest... poo.. You may be wondering "What is preeclampsia?" as was I!!well:
Preeclampsia is a complex disorder that affects 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women. A woman is diagnosed with preeclampsia if she has high blood pressure and protein in her urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.(It's possible to have preeclampsia before 20 weeks, but only in rare cases, such as with a molar pregnancy.)Preeclampsia most commonly shows up after 37 weeks, but it can develop at any time during the second half of pregnancy, including during labor or even after delivery — usually within the first 48 hours.Preeclampsia can range from mild to severe, and it can progress slowly or rapidly. The only way to get better is to deliver the baby.
How would preeclampsia affect my health and the health of my baby?
The more severe the condition and the earlier it appears, the greater the risks for you and your baby. Most women who get preeclampsia develop a mild version near their due date, and they and their babies do fine with proper care.But when preeclampsia is severe, it can affect many organs and cause serious or even life-threatening problems. That's why you'll need to deliver early if your condition is severe or getting worse.Preeclampsia causes the blood vessels to constrict, resulting in high blood pressure and a reduced blood flow that can affect organs throughout the body, including the liver, kidneys, and brain.When less blood is being delivered to your uterus, it can mean problems for your baby, such as poor growth, too little amniotic fluid, and placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery).In addition, your baby may suffer the effects of prematurity if you need to deliver early.Changes in your blood vessels caused by preeclampsia may cause your capillaries to "leak" fluid into your tissues. This results in swelling, known as edema.When the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys leak, protein from your bloodstream spills into your urine. (It's normal to have a small amount of protein in your urine, but more than a little bit can signal a problem.)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

That's kinda scary. I hope everything goes alright.