Dr Peter Obane, a gynaecologist at Calvary Estate Hospital, Benin, says preeclampsia in pregnant women may lead to other complications, if not treated.
Peter said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Benin.
“Preeclampsia is a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressures in women.
“It is characterised by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.
“Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had been normal.
“If it is untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both mother and child.
“Preeclampsia sometimes develops without any symptoms, high blood pressure may develop slowly, or it may have a sudden onset.
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“Monitoring your blood pressure is an important part of prenatal care because the first sign of preeclampsia is commonly a rise in blood pressure.
“Blood pressure that exceeds 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) or greater documented on two occasions, at least four hours apart is abnormal,’’ said the expert.
The gynaecologist said symptoms of preeclampsia include excess protein in your urine (proteinuria) or additional signs of kidney problems, headaches and changes in vision.
Others are a temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity, upper abdominal pain, usually under your ribs on the right side, vomiting, decreased urine output and shortness of breath.
Obane said the causes of preeclampsia and causes of this abnormal development may include insufficient blood flow to the uterus, damage to the blood vessels and disorders during pregnancy.
He advised that before they become pregnant, especially if they had preeclampsia before, it’s a good idea to be as healthy as they can be.
He said: “Lose weight if you need to, and make sure other conditions, such as diabetes, are well-managed.’’
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