What is Preeclampsia? Health Article

Preeclampsia describes a patient with elevated blood pressure in the presence of proteinuria (protein in the urine). Twenty-five percent of women diagnosed with hypertension before their 37th week of pregnancy develop preeclampsia before giving birth. Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are separate disorders, however. The development of hypertension during pregnancy may be an indication of preeclampsia and should not be assumed a benign, transient condition. Preeclampsia affects many of the body's organs and can cause various symptoms. It is characterized as mild or severe based on how elevated your blood pressure is, the amount of protein in your urine, symptoms such as headaches or changes in your vision, and growth restriction of the baby .

For information on the management of gestational hypertension, go to Monitoring Gestational Diabetes.