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Preeclampsia

The Basics | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

What Are the Symptoms?

Increasing blood pressure in pregnancy may not make you feel different until it is dangerously high. Therefore, it is very important to for all pregnant women to watch for signs of preeclampsia, which include:

  • Rapid weight gain (on the order of 2-5 pounds in a single week).
  • Swelling of your face or arms.
If preeclampsia progresses from mild to moderate or severe, you may begin to notice other symptoms, such as:
  • Headaches
  • Vision changes (blurred vision, seeing double, seeing spots of light).
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dizziness, faintness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Urinating less often
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Blood in vomit or urine
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
Call Your Doctor If:

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

Women who have hypertension are also at risk for developing preeclampsia. They may notice a worsening of their blood pressure, or the doctor may notice the sudden onset of proteins in the urine.

Medically reviewed by Tracy Shuman, MD , WebMD, August 2005.

SOURCES: American Academy of Family Physicians. The Mayo Clinic. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Preeclampsia Foundation.

The Basics | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention
© 2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
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