Preeclampsia
How do doctors diagnose preeclampsia?
It is not always easy to diagnose preeclampsia. That is because there is not any simple test that says for sure whether you have the condition.
Instead, doctors diagnose preeclampsia when you get certain signs and symptoms together. The most important signs are
high blood pressure and
protein in your urine, showing up for the first time after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
1
high blood pressure
Your blood pressure is considered to be high when it is above the accepted normal range. The usual limit for normal blood pressure is 140/90. If either the first (systolic) number is above 140 or the lower (diastolic) number is above 90, a person is considered to have high blood pressure. Doctors sometimes call high blood pressure "hypertension."
Your blood pressure is considered to be high when it is above the accepted normal range. The usual limit for normal blood pressure is 140/90. If either the first (systolic) number is above 140 or the lower (diastolic) number is above 90, a person is considered to have high blood pressure. Doctors sometimes call high blood pressure "hypertension."
proteins
A lot of your body's tissues are made out of proteins. Proteins can be made in your cells. Proteins are also part of the food you eat, particularly meat and dairy products. Your body breaks down the protein you eat into amino acids. Your cells then use these amino acids to build new proteins, which make up muscles, joints, hair and other parts of your body.
A lot of your body's tissues are made out of proteins. Proteins can be made in your cells. Proteins are also part of the food you eat, particularly meat and dairy products. Your body breaks down the protein you eat into amino acids. Your cells then use these amino acids to build new proteins, which make up muscles, joints, hair and other parts of your body.
Source:
Milne F, Redman C, Walker J, et al.
The pre-eclampsia community guideline (PRECOG): how to screen for and detect onset of pre-eclampsia in the community.
BMJ. 2005; 330: 576-580.
Milne F, Redman C, Walker J, et al.
The pre-eclampsia community guideline (PRECOG): how to screen for and detect onset of pre-eclampsia in the community.
BMJ. 2005; 330: 576-580.
Most women with preeclampsia don't feel sick. That's why it is very important to go to all of your regular checkups during
pregnancy. Your
blood pressure and urine should be checked at these checkups. That way, preeclampsia can be picked up early.
blood pressure
Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by the blood on the walls of the vessels that carry it. You can think of it like the water pressure in your home: the more pressure you have, the faster and more forcefully the water flows out of the shower. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (written as mm Hg). When your blood pressure is taken, the measurement is given as two numbers, for example 120/80 mm Hg. The first, higher, number is called the systolic pressure, and the second, lower, number is the diastolic pressure. The systolic number is the highest pressure that occurs while the heart is pushing blood into the arteries. The diastolic number is the lowest pressure that happens when the heart is relaxing and is not pushing the blood.
Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by the blood on the walls of the vessels that carry it. You can think of it like the water pressure in your home: the more pressure you have, the faster and more forcefully the water flows out of the shower. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (written as mm Hg). When your blood pressure is taken, the measurement is given as two numbers, for example 120/80 mm Hg. The first, higher, number is called the systolic pressure, and the second, lower, number is the diastolic pressure. The systolic number is the highest pressure that occurs while the heart is pushing blood into the arteries. The diastolic number is the lowest pressure that happens when the heart is relaxing and is not pushing the blood.
Feeling sick is usually a sign of more serious preeclampsia. So if you feel unwell between your checkups, see your doctor or midwife right away. For more, see What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?
If your doctor thinks you have preeclampsia, you should be sent to the hospital for some more tests. These tests can help
tell if you have it. And they can show how the illness is affecting you and your baby.
Here are some things your doctor or midwife might do to find out if you have preeclampsia.
Your doctor or midwife might ask you these questions.
2
Source:
Dekker GA, Walker JJ.
Maternal assessment in pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders: special investigations and their pathophysiological basis.
In: JJ Walker and NF Gant (editors). Hypertension in pregnancy. Chapman and Hall Medical, London, UK; 1997.
Dekker GA, Walker JJ.
Maternal assessment in pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders: special investigations and their pathophysiological basis.
In: JJ Walker and NF Gant (editors). Hypertension in pregnancy. Chapman and Hall Medical, London, UK; 1997.
- Have you noticed any swelling of your face, hands, feet? This is not a reliable sign of preeclampsia. That's because swelling often happens in normal pregnancies. But if you suddenly get swelling, particularly in your face, it is more likely to mean you have preeclampsia.
- Have you gained a lot of weight lately? A gain of more than 2.2 pounds a week over two to three weeks, or a gain of more than 4.5 pounds in a week, can be a warning sign of preeclampsia. This is especially true if you also have sudden swelling.
- Have you been feeling unwell? Bad, throbbing headaches, problems with your vision (like flashing lights before your eyes), severe pain under your ribs and being sick to your stomach can all be signs of severe preeclampsia.
-
Is your baby moving well? If your baby has become less active, this can be a sign that he or she is being affected by preeclampsia.
Source:
Milne F, Redman C, Walker J, et al.
The pre-eclampsia community guideline (PRECOG): how to screen for and detect onset of pre-eclampsia in the community.
BMJ. 2005; 330: 576-580.
1
- Weigh you
- Listen to your baby's heartbeat
- Check you for swelling
- Feel your belly.
- Measure your blood pressure (for more, see Blood pressure during pregnancy)
- Check your urine for protein (for more, see Urine checks for protein).
Your doctor or midwife will say you have preeclampsia if you have:
3
Source:
Wagner LK.
Diagnosis and Management of preeclampsia.
American Family Physician. 2004; 70: 2317-2324.
Wagner LK.
Diagnosis and Management of preeclampsia.
American Family Physician. 2004; 70: 2317-2324.
- A top blood pressure number (systolic pressure) of 140 or higher, or a bottom blood pressure number (diastolic pressure) of 90 or higher
And:
- At least 300 milligrams of protein in urine that you collected over 24 hours. This is usually the same as a rating of one "plus" (+) or more of protein in your urine on a test called the dipstick test.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Milne F, Redman C, Walker J, et al.The pre-eclampsia community guideline (PRECOG): how to screen for and detect onset of pre-eclampsia in the community.BMJ. 2005; 330: 576-580.
- Dekker GA, Walker JJ.Maternal assessment in pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders: special investigations and their pathophysiological basis.In: JJ Walker and NF Gant (editors). Hypertension in pregnancy. Chapman and Hall Medical, London, UK; 1997.
- Wagner LK.Diagnosis and Management of preeclampsia.American Family Physician. 2004; 70: 2317-2324.
This information was last updated on Apr 14, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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