The treatment of pre-eclampsia seeks to ensure the safety of the mother and baby, and takes into account the severity of the disease, the length of pregnancy and the clinical conditions observed during the obstetrician's evaluation. Generally, it is indicated by the obstetrician to perform rest, constant evaluations of the baby's condition, use of antihypertensive drugs, such as Hydralazine or Methyldopa, and, in the most severe cases, early delivery.
It usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, in about 7 out of every 100 pregnant women, being more common in the first pregnancy or in the woman who already had a previous arterial hypertension, and can cause signs and symptoms such as high blood pressure, generalized swelling, presence of proteins in the urine, headache, blurred vision or changes in blood tests. To learn more about how to identify preeclampsia and its types, check out symptoms of oreclampsia.
The main forms of treatment are indicated by the obstetrician, and include:
1. Mild preeclampsia
In this case, it is usually oriented:
- Regular diet, without salt restriction; Rest; Measurement of blood pressure and amount of protein in the urine daily; Medical reevaluation at least twice a week.
If the disease worsens during the period, hospitalization and evaluation regarding the anticipation of delivery is indicated.
2. Severe pre-eclampsia
The main form of treatment, in this case, is the early delivery of a cesarean type, in case of gestational age greater than 34 weeks.
Before this period, the observation can be made if the mother and baby have a stable clinical picture, without worsening, with adequate control of blood pressure and if there are no serious changes, such as impaired liver, kidney, heart or brain functions.
The use of antihypertensive drugs, such as Hydralazine or Methyldopa, may also be recommended if the pressure is too high and difficult to control.
Possible complications
Some of the complications that pre-eclampsia can cause are:
- Eclampsia: it is a more serious condition of pre-eclampsia, in which there are repeated episodes of seizures, followed by coma, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. Learn how to identify and treat and eclampsia; HELLP syndrome: another complication characterized by, in addition to the symptoms of eclampsia, the presence of blood cell destruction, with anemia, hemoglobins below 10.5% and a drop in platelets below 100, 000 / mm3, in addition to elevated liver enzymes, with TGO above 70U / L. Find out more details about this syndrome; Bleeding: they happen due to the destruction and decrease in the number of platelets, and compromised clotting capacity; Acute lung edema: situation in which there is fluid collection in the lungs; Liver and kidney failure: which can even become irreversible; Prematurity of the baby: a situation that, if it is serious and without the proper development of its organs, can leave sequelae and compromise its functions.
These complications can be avoided if the pregnant woman has adequate follow-up and prenatal care during this important period, as the disease can be identified at the beginning and treatment can be done as quickly as possible.
The woman who had pre-eclampsia can become pregnant again, it is important that prenatal care is done strictly, according to the obstetrician's instructions.
