Pregnancy and childbirth are often filled with joy. Sometimes, though, serious complications can put both mom and baby at risk.
Preeclampsia, a condition in which a woman suddenly develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine, affects an estimated 2% to 8% of all pregnancies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Untreated, it can progress into eclampsia, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Cassidi, Ennen, RN, a home nurse educator for Baptist Health’s WELLcome Home postpartum maternal wellness program, debunked some common myths about preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia myths and misconceptions
MYTH: Preeclampsia can only happen while you’re pregnant.
While most preeclampsia is diagnosed in pregnancy, you are at an increased risk for preeclampsia up until six weeks postpartum.
MYTH: Preeclampsia happens late in pregnancy.
Preeclampsia can happen as early as 20 weeks, so that’s your second trimester, but that risk stays until about six weeks postpartum.
MYTH: Healthy women won’t develop preeclampsia.
Any pregnant person can experience preeclampsia. There are things that increase your risk like diabetes, chronic hypertension, obesity or having a multiple gestational birth (twins, triplets), but any pregnant person can experience preeclampsia.
MYTH: Nausea and vomiting are normal, even later in pregnancy.
Any time you’re experiencing nausea or vomiting, especially if it comes out of nowhere, we would encourage you to reach out to your obstetrician.
MYTH: Delivery is the cure for preeclampsia.
It is often the acute treatment for preeclampsia, so it often resolves preeclampsia in pregnancy, but your risk is still elevated up until about six weeks postpartum.
When you find out you’re expecting, you have so many questions. At Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital, we have answers and we’ll be with you every step of the way. To learn more about pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum services, visit baptistjax.com/baby.
