Preeclampsia
What is Postpartum Preeclampsia?
Postpartum preeclampsia is associated with high blood pressure after birth. Though it is more often seen during pregnancy, it is not uncommon for a mother to experience preeclampsia up to six weeks after birth. To this day, there are no known causes of preeclampsia.
What Are the Risk Factors?
- Obesity
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure during or before pregnancy
- family history of preeclampsia
- Younger than 20 or older than 40 years old
- Autoimmune conditions
What Does it Look Like?
- High blood pressure ( < 140/90)
- Severe headache
- Sensitivity to light and dizziness
- Swelling in hands or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid weight gain
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased urination
Sources
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Postpartum Preeclampsia: Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments. Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic website: Link
Preeclampsia Foundation. (n.d.-a). Preeclampsia - Birth Trauma Resources. Retrieved from Preeclampsia Foundation - Saving mothers and babies from preeclampsia website: Link
Preeclampsia Foundation. (n.d.-b). Preeclampsia - Postpartum Preeclampsia. Retrieved from Preeclampsia Foundation - Saving mothers and babies from preeclampsia website: Link