Pre-eclampsia of pregnant women - what is it? Pre-eclampsia of pregnant women: symptoms, causes and treatment

Any doctor will say that during pregnancy, the patients can be observed a variety of conditions, which in other conditions would speak about serious diseases. A special place here is the pre-eclampsia of pregnant women, the symptoms, causes and treatment of which doctors have yet to learn. But even what is already known allows one to speak of a certain danger to the health of both mother and child. Pressure may rise and fall, edema may appear, but do not take it lightly - all this can lead to very unfortunate consequences without proper treatment. So, what is it?

Pre-eclampsia of pregnant women

In the process of bearing a child, a woman's body experiences serious restructuring and overload. It is not always possible to maintain health, therefore, every future mother needs constant monitoring of doctors. And all the same, she may eventually face such a condition as pre-eclampsia of pregnant women. What it is?

It can be expressed in different ways, a woman may not even feel any discomfort and assume that her pregnancy is completely normal. Most doctors call it gestosis, using the term "pre-eclampsia" only in relation to a rather acute condition characterized by a number of other symptoms. But everything starts with quite innocuous signs.

Causes

If it is clear to doctors that this is pre-eclampsia of pregnant women, then why it arises is hard to say. There are certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of its occurrence, but they do not always work. And if in the first pregnancy a woman can face this phenomenon, then in the subsequent - no. Doctors are inclined to say that it is due to a high percentage of fat in the body, a violation of the proper functioning of the vascular system, as well as malnutrition. But even excluding all this, we can not guarantee that such a problem does not arise.

By the way, pre-eclampsia can be observed immediately after childbirth, so there is a possibility that all faults in the work of hormonal or several systems are at fault. In any case, if at any time during pregnancy signs of pre-eclampsia were observed, when planning the next one should consult several specialists at once, among which there will be a hematologist, an endocrinologist and, of course, an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Appearance and Current

A woman experiences a fairly large number of unpleasant symptoms, which should alert her even before serious pregnancy begins. What it is?

Firstly, it is the rise in blood pressure to sufficiently high values. This may not be felt at all, especially if the expectant mother neglects regular visits to the doctor, and also does not measure this figure on her own.

Secondly, it is a serious swelling, which is almost impossible to get rid of. Sharp weight gain, heaviness in the legs and their swelling at the end of the day - this can be viewed to some extent as normal for pregnancy phenomena, which can be tried to be balanced with a more balanced diet and introduction of cranberry juice into the diet. But if such measures do not help, and the condition only worsens, combined with high blood pressure, it makes sense to talk about gestosis - the so-called toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy.

The third sign that soon pre-eclampsia of mild degree in pregnant women may occur is the presence of protein in the analysis of urine. This means that the kidneys are seriously affected, they just do not cope with the load and begin to refuse. In the case of further ignoring the disease, there are other, more dangerous signs that pre-eclampsia of pregnant women manifests itself.

Symptoms

After the appearance of edema, which, incidentally, may not be felt at all, but have a significant effect on the fetus, as well as protein in the analysis of urine, other signs of progression of gestosis can manifest fairly quickly. There may be a decrease in diuresis, further fluid retention in the body. Thus the woman can feel pains in a stomach, a giddiness, a vomiting, a nausea. Then, reflexes can change due to brain edema.

It should be understood that a timely call to the doctor will help to avoid all these troubles. At present, the tactics of treatment have already been worked out, and in the extreme case of maximum inhibition of the progression of the disease. Often, it is possible to significantly prolong the pregnancy and sometimes even deliver the child before the due date, safely after having been delivered with the help of surgeons.

Degrees

Pre-eclampsia of pregnant women differs due to the severity of its course and the need for urgent measures. Traditionally, three are singled out, and if we proceed from the norm of pressure 120/80, they look like this:

• Pre-eclampsia of mild degree in pregnant women. There may be small swelling, and the value of blood pressure does not rise above 150/90. There are changes in the biochemical analysis of blood, protein in the urine - no more than 1 gram per liter.
• Moderate preeclampsia of pregnant women. Pressure at the level of 170/110, as a result of this headache. The level of protein in the urine is up to 5 grams per liter. The amount of platelets and urea in the blood changes.
• Preeclampsia is severe in pregnant women. The indicators exceed the above figures. Appear and progress additional symptoms: abdominal pain, dizziness and lightheadedness, impaired vision.

The danger is also that preeclampsia can progress very quickly. Therefore, even a single increase in pressure to sufficiently high values may cause an emergency visit to the doctor, and in severe cases - call an ambulance. It is not necessary to remember the name "pre-eclampsia of pregnant women", what it is, doctors will understand themselves. You just need not forget that doctors simply can not help if they arrive too late.

Diagnostics

At each reception the gynecologist measures blood pressure and weighs. In addition, urine is analyzed for the presence of protein in it. If there is a predisposition to the occurrence of pre-eclampsia of pregnant women, syptoma or suspicion, it makes sense to regularly perform a number of additional tests.

First, it is a blood test for biochemistry. It allows to reveal activity of hepatic enzymes and change of their level. Secondly, this is a blood test for hemostasis, that is, blood coagulability. This test reveals a problem such as thrombus formation. The third analysis, which helps to monitor the condition of a pregnant woman - blood on the level of creatinine and urea. It allows you to assess the work of the kidneys.

As a rule, simpler and more evident tests are performed in a hospital environment, for example, an analysis for daily protein loss or Zimnitsky's test showing the work of the excretory system.

Treatment of preeclampsia

In pregnant women, from the point of view of doctors, there is one serious drawback - they can not use most of the medicines. Of course, the arsenal of medications to maintain a more or less stable state with pre-eclampsia is wide enough, but still they are not always effective, because each organism is unique in its reactions. Complicating the situation and the fact that this condition can progress from about the twentieth week of pregnancy, and in this case, there is practically no chance of independent bearing.

Usually, combined therapy is used to reduce blood pressure and excess fluid in the body, as well as improve blood flow to the fetus. In most cases, the treatment of pre-eclampsia started in pregnant women in time allows you to get rid of the problems for a sufficient period of time to be safely worn. But in Russian practice, a woman suffering from hypertension is unlikely to be admitted to independent births for medical reasons, so in this case one should psychologically prepare for a cesarean section.

Consequences for the mother

Eclampsia may occur if pre-eclampsia of pregnant women is ignored for a long time. What is it, and what is the condition of this condition? This is a very dangerous complication, which can threaten not only health, but also the life of a woman.

HELLP-syndrome develops, that is, liver damage, destruction of erythrocytes and a decrease in the number of platelets are observed. Cramps may begin, and even coma. Sometimes there is a death. However, the disease affects not only the mother.

Effects on the fetus

Negative impact on the child begins even during the rise in blood pressure. Vessels narrow, blood flow in the placenta is disturbed, the baby receives less oxygen and nutrients. The fetus grows worse, there may be abnormalities on CTG and during ultrasound. If pre-eclampsia has started at a sufficiently early period, there may be a smallness, bleeding disorders, and other malfunctions. So do not neglect medical help.