What Is Preeclampsia? Formerly called toxemia, preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women develop. It’s marked by high blood pressure in women who haven’t had high blood pressure before. Preeclamptic women will have a high level of protein in their urine and often also have swelling in the feet, legs, and hands causing pain.
Effectively Managing Preeclampsia in Pregnancy
Up to 8% of pregnant women experience preeclampsia, according to March of Dimes. Although the most common symptom of preeclampsia is high blood pressure, it can also cause pain in the abdomen and shoulder, and result in severe headaches and edema. To ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible throughout your pregnancy, it’s vital that you manage your preeclampsia pain effectively.
Take pregnancy-approved medication
Most women with preeclampsia will find that their symptoms disappear within 6 weeks of delivery. However, as it can come on from the 20-week gestation mark, many pregnant women can spend months trying to deal with the associated pain. Mild to moderate pain can be dealt with by taking paracetamol. Multiple studies have concluded that paracetamol is safe for pregnant mothers to consume, although it is recommended that the lowest possible dose is taken. If your preeclampsia is more severe and is causing you considerable pain, then your doctor will likely recommend you take antihypertensive medication designed to lower your blood pressure, such as labetalol or methyldopa.
Review your diet
Once you’ve been diagnosed with preeclampsia you should review your diet. It’s crucial that you eliminate as much salt as possible from your diet as it is responsible for fluid retention in preeclampsia and subsequent edema, which will cause pain in your joints. You also need to steer clear of foods containing added sugars as research has shown that these contribute to preeclampsia and its associated pain. Consuming too much sugar in pregnancy can also lead to gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a risk factor for preeclampsia and can result in delivery and health complications, including high-birth-weight and jaundice. So, to avoid gestational diabetes, you need to stay away from unhealthy foods and consume as many, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables as possible to keep you and your baby healthy and pain-free.
Move more
When you’re experiencing preeclampsia pain and feeling tired from your pregnancy, it’s tempting to forgo exercise and rest up, but this can be counterproductive. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women participate in moderate-intensity physical activity for 20 to 30 minutes most days of the week. A study conducted by the University of Oregon found that regular exercise before and during pregnancy was beneficial when high blood pressure occurred during gestation. Other studies have concluded that stretching exercises reduce the risk of preeclampsia in at-risk patients. When your blood pressure is lower, your preeclampsia symptoms will be less prevalent and so you’ll experience less pain. However, before embarking on any physical activity during pregnancy, you should consult with your obstetrician who will be able to advise whether it’s a safe and effective pain-management tool for your specific circumstances.
Preeclampsia is a serious and painful condition that affects a considerable number of pregnancies each year. Thankfully, there are effective treatment options, including medication, healthy eating, and regular exercise that will help you to manage the pain caused by this condition. But ultimately, you can rest assured knowing that your pain will ease within weeks of giving birth.
by Chrissy Phillips
