Postpartum Preeclampsia is a rare condition that happens to women who have excessive protein in the urine and high blood pressure after they deliver. This will happen within 48 hours after the child is born, and you should turn to your pregnancy specialist doctor for immediate help as this can result in several seizures and life-threatening problems.
What are the causes?
It is not known what exactly causes this problem, but it is due to the high blood pressure during your last few months of pregnancy and poor health care. When you see symptoms like high blood pressure, excessive protein found in the urine which is known as proteinuria, and if you have sudden, severe and troubling headaches right after the child is born, you should stay at the maternity hospital for check-ups. Other than this, you may have temporary loss in your vision, sensitivity to light, swelling of limbs and face which can be noticed within 48 hours after childbirth. Besides this, vomiting, decrease in urination, abdominal ache, weight gain after a week of delivery and sometimes troubles in breathing. It is essential to get all the necessary checks done to rule out a severe case of preeclampsia. It can harm you in a big way, and it is quite troubling to live with it.Can it be treated?
If it is detected early, you can treat it with necessary medications. The gynecologist will give you blood pressure medicines, medication to prevent any seizures and something for the headaches too. Your urination and symptoms will be monitored by a health care professional so that you are not in pain. Other than this, you can ask your doctor whether you can breastfeed in such conditions or not. Postpartum preeclampsia can take a toll on your health but if you are following the doctor’s instructions, you can live a better life. You can avoid getting any seizures, headaches and pain in your body too. Make sure you are eating right and watching your health too along with the baby. If you notice any symptoms after childbirth, talk to your doctor immediately for support.
AUTHOR
Motherhood Fertility & IVF Team
Expert information on fertility, IVF treatments, and reproductive health to help you make informed decisions.