Living with Preeclampsia
A pregnancy complication with high blood pressure and protein in the urine, usually in the last months of pregnancy or soon after birth.
Understanding Preeclampsia
It usually happens in the last few months of pregnancy and can need early delivery of the baby. It can also appear after birth (postpartum preeclampsia). Many women with mild preeclampsia do not feel ill, and it is often found first by blood pressure and urine tests. In severe cases it can affect organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. Symptoms often go away within a few days after the baby is born.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- High blood pressure
- Protein in the urine
- Swelling of the face or hands
- Headaches and vision changes
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include maternal-fetal medicine specialists and women’s reproductive health specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (pregnancy-related); Women’s reproductive health specialists (obstetricians / gynecologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Preeclampsia Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition in this record.
Also known as: eph - edema, proteinuria and hypertension of pregnancy; gestational hypertension; hypertension induced by pregnancy; pe - pre-eclampsia; pet - pre-eclamptic toxemia; pre-eclampsia
Patient organizations
- Preeclampsia FoundationPreeclampsia · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Preeclampsia.
Explore research for Preeclampsia
Explore actively recruiting Preeclampsia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Preeclampsia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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