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Preeclampsia

Questions to ask your doctor

Finding out that you have preeclampsia can be frightening. You will probably have lots of questions.

Here are some questions that you may want to ask your doctor if you just found out that you have preeclampsia.

What is the best treatment for me?
How does it work?
Does it have side effects?
Will I need to stay in the hospital?
How do you know if my baby is OK?
Will my baby need to be born early?
If my baby has to be born early, will he or she be all right?
How will you know if the preeclampsia is getting worse?
Is there anything I can do to help myself?

Here are some questions that you may want to ask your doctor before your next pregnancy, if you have had preeclampsia before.

What are my chances of getting preeclampsia again?
Is there anything I can do to stop it from coming on?
Are there any tests I can have to find out if I have medical problems that will make me more likely to get preeclampsia again?
What sort of care will I need in my next pregnancy?
How will you know if I am getting preeclampsia again?
I had to have an operation to deliver my first baby. Will I need to have one again? (This operation is called a

cesarean section
A cesarean section is an operation to take a baby out of a mother's womb (uterus). The surgeon makes a cut through her abdomen to take the baby out. You have this if there's a risk that a normal delivery through your vagina would cause harm to you or your baby.

cesarean section.)

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.

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