Most pregnant women hope they will have an uneventful pregnancy that ends when they deliver a healthy baby. Unfortunately, not all women experience that. Some women have complications that can endanger them and the baby if they’re not managed properly.
One pregnancy complication that can occur is preeclampsia, which typically develops after 20 weeks gestation. It can cause high blood pressure and result in stress on the mother’s organs. This condition affects the mother and the baby, so appropriate treatment is crucial.
What are symptoms that might point to preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia doesn’t result in the same symptoms for every woman. Some women have high blood pressure that might occur at the same time as headaches or vision changes. Upper abdominal pain, shortness of breath, nausea and swelling are also common signs of preeclampsia.
Many of the symptoms of preeclampsia are also common discomforts related to a normal pregnancy. For example, if a woman is experiencing mild swelling and fatigue, it might be assumed that she’s just dealing with pregnancy side effects.
Because of the risk of preeclampsia occurring, medical professionals should evaluate women for the condition, even if they think the symptoms are normal. Keeping an eye on blood pressure, urinalysis results, lab results and symptoms can provide important clues into what’s going on.
When preeclampsia isn’t treated immediately, the condition can progress swiftly. This can lead to seizures, stroke, placenta problems, organ injury and premature delivery. While the condition isn’t preventable, missed warning signs and failure to treat could be construed as medical malpractice. Determining what legal action is appropriate in cases like this may be easier with the assistance of an attorney familiar with these matters.