LISTEN: Pregnancy & preeclampsia – When does high blood pressure become dangerous?
Do you know what preeclampsia
is?
We recently asked OB-Gynae-Sexologist Dr Mpume Zenda, otherwise known as “Dr Gynae”, to fill us in and we have to share what we learned!
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Preeclampsia is a complication that can occur after 20 weeks of pregnancy and one of the most telling symptoms is high blood pressure (or hypertension).
Other symptoms include:
- Protein in urine
- Sudden weight gain or swelling in the face, legs, feet and hands
- Liver problems (indicated by increased liver enzymes)
- Severe headaches
- Vision complications
- Fluid in the lungs (causing shortness of breath)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain under the ribs or in the upper belly
It can be difficult to differentiate some of these symptoms from what is commonly experienced during a healthy pregnancy, but this is what prenatal appointments are for. Your doctor will also, based on your medical history, be able to warn you if you are at risk of preeclampsia.
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This condition is potentially very dangerous as it can lead to serious – and sometimes fatal – health risks for both you and your baby.
This is why early detection is pivotal.
Listen to our full interview with the knowledgeable Dr Gynae below for more on Preeclampsia.
For more from Dr Zenda:
Listen to our podcasts with Dr Zenda about the first steps once you find out you are pregnant and how to figure out what ‘normal’ actually is for you and your baby.
Keep up with Dr Zenda:
Instagram – @dr.gynae
Facebook – @dr.gynae
Website – www.weseeyou.co.za
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