Preeclampsia: what symptoms should you watch for?
This complication affects 2 to 8% of pregnancies and can develop quickly — here are the warning signs you should never ignore.
Preeclampsia is a complication marked by high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often along with protein in the urine or signs of other organ involvement (liver, kidneys, blood clotting). It affects roughly 2 to 8% of pregnancies, most often in the third trimester.
Symptoms to watch for include severe, persistent headaches that don't improve with acetaminophen, visual disturbances (blurry vision, flashing spots), intense pain under the right ribs, sudden swelling of the face or hands, and rapid, unusual weight gain over just a few days.
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These symptoms can appear quickly, sometimes within hours, and warrant immediate medical evaluation — blood pressure and protein levels are checked at every prenatal visit precisely for this reason. Certain factors raise the risk: first pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, a history of preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, or diabetes.
Preeclampsia only fully resolves with the delivery of the baby and placenta, but it's well managed when caught early: close monitoring, medication to control blood pressure, and sometimes induction before term if the situation warrants it. A low dose of aspirin, started early in pregnancy for women at high risk, can also meaningfully reduce this risk.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
