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If you get severe preeclampsia and need to go to the hospital, your health and your baby's health are in danger. Having your baby is the only cure. You may be able to keep your pregnancy going for a week or two. But you may have to have your baby within a few days.¹

If you are 34 weeks pregnant or more, it won't help your baby very much to spend more time in your womb. Your doctor will probably deliver your baby as soon as he or she thinks it is safe.²

But if you are less than 34 weeks pregnant, your doctor may decide to look after you in the hospital for a while. This is to give your baby more time to grow in your womb.³

While you are in the hospital, you are likely to be treated with two types of drugs.

• Drugs to control your high blood pressure. These don't cure the preeclampsia. But they do lower your risk of having a stroke. And your baby may be more healthy after he or she is born.⁴
• A drug called magnesium sulfate. This is to lower your risk of having seizures. This drug is usually given through a vein (an intravenous infusion, or IV for short) once your doctor has decided to deliver your baby. You will keep having this drug for 24 hours after your baby is born.²

To read more about these treatments, see Treatments for severe preeclampsia.

You may be less than 34 weeks pregnant but still likely to have your baby within the next few days. In that case, you will probably also be given injections of drugs called steroids. Steroids help your baby's lungs to mature. And they help your baby to cope better with being born early.²

While you are in the hospital, you and your unborn baby will be checked and tested regularly. This is to watch the preeclampsia.

You should have:

• A blood pressure measurement at least four times a day
• Blood tests two times each week to check how well your kidneys and liver are working, and how well your blood is clotting
• A test to measure how much protein you have in your urine.

Your baby should have:

• An ultrasound scan to check his or her weight
• A test called an umbilical Doppler ultrasound two times each week to see how much blood is getting through to your baby
• A check of how fast his or her heart is beating every day
• A check of how much fluid is around him or her every day.

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 2008. All rights reserved.