What is pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a serious medical condition that can happen during pregnancy. It usually occurs suddenly after at least 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia causes high blood pressure and can affect several of your body organs, including your:

• liver
• kidneys
• brain

If pre-eclampsia is not treated, it can lead to serious problems for you and your baby. It is important that you have medical treatment right away.

What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?

Most women with pre-eclampsia do not notice any symptoms. Some women may feel unwell or 'not themselves'. The condition is usually diagnosed during a routine antenatal appointment.

Symptoms of severe pre-eclampsia can include:

• high blood pressure
• sudden swelling of your hands, face and feet
• headaches that don't go away with simple pain-relief medicine
• vision problems like flashing lights or spots in your eyes
• severe pain below the ribs or in your upper tummy area
• heartburn that doesn't go away with antacids
• generally feeling very unwell

Very serious cases of pre-eclampsia can cause seizures, this is known as HELLP syndrome.

It is very important to see your midwife, doctor, or pregnancy care provider if you have any of these symptoms during pregnancy.

​What causes pre-eclampsia?

The cause of pre-eclampsia is not completely clear, but there are factors that are known to increase the risk.

You are more likely to get pre-eclampsia if you:

• had pre-eclampsia with a previous pregnancy
• have long-standing high blood pressure
• have diabetes or kidney disease
• have an autoimmune condition such as lupus
• are pregnant with twins or more

Your risk of pre-eclampsia is also increased if:

• it is your first pregnancy
• you are 40 years old or older
• it has been more than 10 years since your last pregnancy
• you were very overweight at the beginning of your pregnancy
• you have a family history of pre-eclampsia

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor to confirm your pregnancy and to discuss your antenatal care options. Make sure you keep seeing your midwife or doctor for your routine antenatal care visits.

It is very important to see your midwife, doctor or pregnancy care provider straight away if you have any symptoms of pre-eclampsia.

​​​​​​​How is pre-eclampsia diagnosed?

Your midwife or doctor will routinely check your blood pressure at every antenatal visit during your pregnancy.

If your blood pressure is high, your doctor will suggest some tests to check for pre-eclampsia. This may include:

• a urine test to check for protein
• blood tests
• a physical examination

Your baby should also be checked using:

• ultrasound scans to assess their growth and wellbeing
• fetal (baby) heart rate monitoring using a cardiotocograph (CTG)

How can pre-eclampsia affect my baby?

Pre-eclampsia can cause your placenta to not function as well as it should. This can affect your baby's growth.

If you have severe pre-eclampsia, your baby may need to be born early (premature birth).

If your baby is born early or is smaller than expected, they may need to be cared for in a special care nursery (SCN) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The SCN and NICU can be very stressful for parents. Midwives and nurses will be there to support you if your baby needs care in the SCN or NICU.

If you have pre-eclampsia, your baby may have a higher chance of having:

• problems with their brain development
• heart problems when they get older
• problems with their metabolism when they get older

In very rare cases, your baby could be at risk of being stillborn or neonatal death.

​​​​​​​How is pre-eclampsia treated?

If you have pre-eclampsia, your midwife or doctor may recommend that you go to hospital for rest and monitoring. You may also need treatment including:

• blood pressure medicines
• treatment to prevent seizures

You and your baby will be closely monitored, and your blood pressure will be checked more often while you are pregnant.

The only complete cure for pre-eclampsia is the birth of your baby. Your doctor may recommend delivering your baby early to manage severe pre-eclampsia.

Every pregnancy is unique, and your doctor will discuss with you what is best for you and your baby.

When considering the early delivery of your baby, your doctor will talk with you about the risks to your health and your baby's health.

They will consider:

• how many weeks pregnant you are
• how severe your pre-eclampsia is

Do I need to continue treatment for pre-eclampsia after my baby is born?

After your baby is born, you are still at an increased risk of complications for the first few days. Your blood pressure will be monitored closely.

You will usually stay in hospital a little longer and may need to keep taking blood pressure medicines. You may also need to limit your fluid intake after birth.

A doctor will review your blood pressure before you are discharged and leave the hospital.

When you have pre-eclampsia, it's normal for your blood pressure to go up and down after you give birth. It's important that you have regular blood pressure checks with your midwife or doctor and attend your 6-week postnatal check-up to make sure it has returned to normal.

​Can pre-eclampsia be prevented?

There is no way to completely prevent pre-eclampsia.

If you are at increased risk of pre-eclampsia, your doctor may recommend you take low-dose aspirin during pregnancy. This can help reduce your risk of pre-eclampsia. You may also be prescribed regular blood pressure medicine to keep your blood pressure stable during pregnancy.

Your doctor may also suggest you take calcium or vitamin D supplements.

Always check with your midwife or doctor before taking any medicines or supplements during pregnancy.

Your midwife or doctor may also recommend regular moderate exercise to lower your risk of pre-eclampsia.

If you are at increased risk, more frequent check-ups are useful.

​Are there any complications from pre-eclampsia?

Sometimes, there are serious complications from pre-eclampsia and it can be life-threatening.

HELPP syndrome is a type of severe pre-eclampsia that causes bleeding and liver problems.

Other complications of pre-eclampsia can include:

• seizures (eclampsia)
• stroke
• kidney failure
• pulmonary oedema (fluid retention in your lungs causing breathlessness)
• placental abruption (where the placenta separates from the wall of your uterus)

Women who have had pre-eclampsia may have an increased risk of getting long term:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• diabetes
• kidney disease

Will I have pre-eclampsia with other pregnancies?

If you have had pre-eclampsia, you are at risk of having pre-eclampsia again with future pregnancies.

Before planning any future pregnancies, talk with your doctor or obstetrician about pre-eclampsia.

​Resources and support

Some women feel overwhelmed or distressed after a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. If this is your experience, let your midwife or doctor know you need some support.

Australian Action on Pre-eclampsia has information on pre-eclampsia and offers support to people affected by pre-eclampsia.

The Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand has information about life after pre-eclampsia.

You can also use the healthdirect service finder to find the contact details of your local hospital.

​​​​​​​Other languages

The Royal Women's Hospital Victoria has information on high blood pressure and preeclampsia in languages other than English.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.