Overview
Preeclampsia is dangerously high blood pressure developing after the 20th week of pregnancy, often with protein in the urine — it can progress to eclampsia (convulsions), a leading cause of maternal death in Nigeria. It can develop quietly, which is why every antenatal visit includes a BP check and urine test. Delivery of the baby is the definitive cure, timed by the medical team.
Symptoms
- High blood pressure found at antenatal checks
- Severe headache that does not respond to simple relief
- Visual disturbance — flashing lights or blurring
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Sudden swelling of the face and hands
- Reduced urine output
- Convulsions (eclampsia — emergency)
Causes & risk factors
- Abnormal development of the placenta's blood supply
- First pregnancy, teenage or older maternal age
- Pre-existing hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease
- Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
- Family or personal history of preeclampsia
Treatment & self-care
Management is hospital-based: blood-pressure control, medicines to prevent convulsions, close monitoring of mother and baby, and delivery at the time the obstetric team judges safest. High-risk women may be given preventive treatment from early pregnancy. Regular antenatal attendance is the single best protection — preeclampsia caught early is manageable; caught late it kills.
See a doctor urgently if
- Severe headache or visual changes in pregnancy — same day
- Sudden swelling of face and hands
- Upper abdominal pain in late pregnancy
- Any convulsion in pregnancy — emergency
- High BP reading at any check
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call 112 or 199 — do not wait for an online consultation.