Preeclampsia is a condition that affects pregnant women in the latter stages of their pregnancy and can even be a problem for up to 6 weeks after the baby is born. When women are experiencing preeclampsia they are hypertensive (have high blood pressure), will spill protein into their urine and will have an abnormal amount of swelling in their extremities (legs and arms) and even in the trunk of their bodies.

Preeclampsia is more common in women who have had hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, or an autoimmune disease such as lupus. Women who are obese, are having multiple babies or had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy are also at higher risk for developing preeclampsia.

Although doctors cant define the causes of preeclampsia they do know which women are at a higher risk to develop it, how to recognize when a women develops it and how to treat it. There are several new theories as the cause of preeclampsia but, to date, non have been proven.

The definitive treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. This is the best way to protect both mother and baby from the devastating effects of uncontrolled hypertension. But delivery isn’t always possible when the preeclampsia is diagnosed before the baby is able to live outside the womb.

The physician has other steps they can use to treat the condition if the baby isn’t developed enough. First treatments are often aimed at the hypertension or high blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend bed rest and/or medications. In some cases the doctor may find that monitoring you outside of the hospital is impossible and they will recommend hospitalization until the baby can be delivered.

Even though you may have used a decreased salt intake to control your blood pressure when you weren’t pregnant this isn’t a good idea when you are pregnant. Your body needs a specific amount of salt to keep the flow of fluid in your body. Your doctor can help determine how much salt is enough each day.

Another option your doctor may use is aspirin or extra calcium to prevent the preeclampsia. When you are resting you should lay on your left side as often as possible. Lying on the left increases the amount of blood flow to the uterus and therefore that feeds the baby. This keeps the weight of the baby off of the large blood vessels.

Doctors may also use magnesium sulfate during labor and for a few days after deliver to prevent full blown eclampsia when a women has been suffering from preeeclampsia.

Delivering your baby when you are experiencing preeclampsia may happen vaginally or as a cesarean section. Your doctor may recommend a cesarean section if your health or the health of your baby is in danger. If he feels your hypertension is under sufficient control he may use oxytocin to start labor. The doctors will monitor your baby throughout the delivery process and if they feel the baby is in danger they will be able to perform a cesarean section within minutes.

There are other treatments and preventions under investigations at this time but non have received approval by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as yet. Some studies have shown that a deficiency in Vitamin D may increase the risk of preeclampsia. Supplementation with Vitamins C and E were found to have no change on the rates of preeclampsia. However calcium supplementation was found to decrease the rates of severe preeclamptic complications. Aspirin supplementation is under investigation but current results aren’t impressive. Studies of protein/calorie supplementation as well as dietary protein restrictions didn’t appear to increase the rates of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a dangerous situation for both mother and baby but with proper prenatal care and treatment the condition can be treated and risks reduced.

During both the conception process and throughout pregnancy it is important that hopeful moms maintain their physical well-being and as well as their psychological health.

This broad field of women’s health includes psychological issues surrounding mood, stress and relaxation, as well as physical areas such as infertility, nutrition, morning sickness, labor and delivery and more.

At Native Remedies you will find a comprehensive set of herbal remedies to help you manage conception and pregnancy – naturally and safely.