Q1. What is pre-eclampsia? How does it affect both mothers and babies?
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that affects 3% to 5% of pregnant women in Hong Kong. It usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Severe pre-eclampsia can lead to death and health risks in both babies and mothers.
Q2. Who are more prone to pre-eclampsia?
Women with pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancies, a family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, and immune system problems are at high risk. Other high-risk factors include first-time pregnancy, advanced maternal age and obesity.
Q3. What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Most pre-eclampsia patients are asymptomatic. It could be pre-eclampsia if high blood pressure or proteinuria is confirmed during body check, or if the foetus is found too small in size or reduced amniotic fluid is noted during ultrasound examination.
Q4. What should women pay close attention to during pregnancy?
While most pregnant women suspected with pre-eclampsia show no obvious symptoms, they need to pay attention to seven severe conditions:
1. body swelling, especially if it occurs in the face and hands;
2. rapid weight gain within a short time, for example, if one gains 5 pounds in a week, it could be severe edema;
3. serious headache
4. sudden blurred vision
5. severe epigastric or stomach pain
6. sudden severe vomiting
7. sudden shortness of breath
Beware if any of these symptoms occurs.
Q5. How can pre-eclampsia be detected as early as possible in high-risk pregnant women?
While most pregnant women have no symptoms, high blood pressure is common in pre-eclampsia patients. High-risk pregnant women should check the blood pressure two to three times a week for early detection of pre-eclampsia.
Q6. How is pre-eclampsia screening performed?
While high-risk women can be identified by the presence of high-risk factors, pre-eclampsia screening can also detect the risk of pre-eclampsia. On every 6th day of week 11 to week 13 of pregnancy, information like medical history, height, weight, blood pressure, uterine artery pulsatility and blood test results are collected by doctors for computer analysis to gauge the risks of pre-eclampsia. High-risk pregnant women can then be prescribed aspirin to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia.
Q7. Is pre-eclampsia an indication for emergency caesarean section?
Patients with pre-eclampsia may be admitted to hospital for monitoring with blood pressure measured, foetus checked and blood pressure medications prescribed by doctors when appropriate. Doctors may also prepare for premature labour when necessary, either by vaginal delivery if feasible, or possibly caesarean section in emergency.
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