Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia, or gestational hypertension, is an elevation of the blood pressure that often occurs during the third trimester. Signs of increased blood pressure include headaches, vision changes, severe edema or swelling in the legs and/or hands, and upper abdominal pain under the right breast. We will be checking your blood pressure at every visit. If you have any of the signs of preeclampsia, we may check your blood pressure more often. The only effective treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. Sometimes, however, high blood pressures start increasing when the baby is still preterm. We will try to buy time by putting moms on bed rest and watching closely for symptoms of worsening, or severe preeclampsia.