6 Things You Need to Know About Pre-eclampsia

5. Is there a cure?

The only way to cure pre-eclampsia completely is to deliver the baby and the placenta. This might need to be done by caesarean section, particularly if the pre-eclampsia is severe and develops early.

Most women with severe pre-eclampsia will need to be delivered within two weeks of being diagnosed of it. If you develop pre-eclampsia in late pregnancy, it is common practice to induce the baby. The risk to your baby is small if he or she is born just a few weeks early.

However, if you are less than 34 weeks, the decision between delivery or other treatment will depend on the severity of the pre-eclampsia (and its risks to you and the baby) versus the risk of being born prematurely to your baby. Every situation is different and your medical team will discuss all the options with you and let you know what the risks are.

6. What happens after the birth?

Pre-eclampsia will improve soon after the baby is born. However, you and the baby will need close monitoring in the days following the birth. The most common result of having pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy is that your baby might be small for gestational age. If you have mild pre-eclampsia, it is likely that the baby will be healthy, but he or she will need to be monitored closely in the days following the birth to make sure no complications develop. If your blood pressure remains high following the birth, you may have to take a medicine for a few weeks until it returns to normal.

Your baby

Your baby’s health is also likely to be fine once he or she is born, but if he or she was born prematurely, there may be complications associated with that, depending on how prematurely he or she is born.

How prepared are you for your pregnancy?

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/  

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.