Preeclampsia and Birth Injuries

What Risks Exist with This Condition?

There is an increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy due to an increase in blood volume. Also, there have been situations in which doctors have recognized signs that the condition has damaged internal organs. Generally, preeclampsia starts to form at around 20 weeks into pregnancy. Even if you only see a slight increase in blood pressure, you should still treat this issue seriously because of its ability to lead to life-threatening conditions and birth injury.

What are the Symptoms of This Condition?

There are a couple of symptoms that you should be aware of. First, preeclampsia often develops without the mother noticing any symptoms. However, after a while, you might start to see different symptoms forming. For example, if you have a blood pressure of 140/90, that is a sign, something serious is going on. Some of the other symptoms to be aware of include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Blurred vision
  • Headaches
  • Edema
  • Poor liver function
  • Pain underneath the rib cage
  • Nausea

How Do Doctors Treat This Condition?

Unfortunately, there is not a known cure for preeclampsia. If you suffer from this condition, you should avoid high-stress situations and not participate in strenuous activity. Many times, a doctor will recommend bed rest. Doctors might prescribe medications in some cases, like anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, and antihypertensives. In many instances, doctors will perform a C-section because vaginal birth can be dangerous for both the child and the mother.

Can It Cause Cerebral Palsy?

There are cases in which this condition could lead to cerebral palsy. Doctors still don’t have a great understanding of this disease. But, we know that it can require parents to seek financial assistance because the medical costs for cerebral palsy can be astronomical. Doctors still don’t know if preeclampsia can cause cerebral palsy. But, they believe that a child born between 32 to 36 weeks of the gestational period will have a higher likelihood of developing it.

Doctors also don’t know of a preventative measure that can keep this from happening. However, they suggest that patients take calcium pills and low-dose aspirin every day to keep this condition from developing. Also, they recommend keeping salt intake to a minimum because this can lead to high blood pressure, which often goes hand in hand with preeclampsia. However, before you take anything, always speak with your doctor first to ensure that the medication doesn’t cause a birth disorder. Additionally, speaking with a legal professional regarding the condition and its causes can help you deal with the situation both mentally and perhaps financially.