Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare but serious condition related to high blood pressure after birth. This condition most commonly occurs within 48 hours of birth, but it may also appear up to six weeks after the baby is born. This condition can lead to serious complications such as strokes, seizures, etc. In this context, Dalili Medical highlights the complications of postpartum preeclampsia, according to what was reported on our website.

What is postpartum eclampsia?

 

This condition is known as high maternal blood pressure and protein in the urine immediately after birth. It usually occurs in the first hours after birth, and in rare cases it may last up to six weeks after birth.

Types of preeclampsia

 

Preeclampsia can be classified into three main types:

1. Preeclampsia before delivery.

2. Preeclampsia during childbirth.

3. Postpartum eclampsia.

**What are the causes of postpartum preeclampsia?**

 

The exact cause of postpartum preeclampsia is still unknown, but there are certain factors that may increase your risk. Therefore, it is important for a pregnant woman to share her medical history with her doctor to discuss any emergency symptoms that may indicate postpartum preeclampsia. There are several factors that may increase your risk of developing this condition, and if you suffer from any of the following, you may be at greater risk:

- Brain damage: Postpartum preeclampsia is a serious condition, as it can lead to permanent damage to many vital organs. If you develop preeclampsia after giving birth, you may face a high risk of permanent damage to your brain, kidneys and liver. If this condition is not treated properly and timely, it may lead to coma, and in severe cases, it may also lead to death.

- Obesity

- High blood pressure during pregnancy

- Family or personal history of preeclampsia or postpartum eclampsia

- The mother must be less than 20 years old or older than 40 years old

- Pregnancy with twins or more

- Autoimmune diseases

- Type 1 or 2 diabetes

**How ​​can preeclampsia be detected after childbirth?**

 

Postpartum preeclampsia is difficult to diagnose except through regular visits to the doctor. Normal fluctuations in blood pressure may occur from time to time, but if you notice an unusual increase in your blood pressure with symptoms of proteinuria after giving birth, it may be necessary to perform blood tests to evaluate how well the liver and kidneys are working, and to ensure that the number of platelets in the blood Normal, as these cells play a role in blood clotting. Blood tests will also help determine the causes of your high blood pressure.

**How ​​long does preeclampsia last after giving birth?**

 

Preeclampsia can occur immediately after birth, within 48 hours, and continue for up to 6 weeks afterward. After this period, the risk decreases significantly as the woman’s blood pressure stabilizes, the body gets rid of hormones, and the uterus and reproductive system organs stabilize.

**Does preeclampsia cause death?**

 

Unfortunately, postpartum preeclampsia can lead to serious conditions such as stroke, and lack of early detection and delayed treatment can lead to death. Therefore, it is necessary for every pregnant woman to learn about postpartum preeclampsia and be aware of the most important symptoms, to monitor blood pressure and other symptoms during pregnancy and after childbirth.

**When does blood pressure stabilize after childbirth?**

 

The amount of time it takes blood pressure to stabilize after giving birth varies from woman to woman. In most cases, pressure begins to return to normal levels within the first few weeks after birth. However, full recovery and control of blood pressure may take several weeks to several months. The risk of postpartum preeclampsia decreases significantly after 6 weeks.

**Symptoms and signs of postpartum preeclampsia**

 

There are several symptoms that women who have recently given birth may experience if they have postpartum preeclampsia, including:

- High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher)

- High levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria)

- Severe headache

- Changes in vision such as blurred vision or sensitivity to light

- Swelling of the face, hands or feet

- Nausea and vomiting

- Abdominal pain, usually near the ribs

- Decrease in the amount of urine

- Temporary loss or blurring of vision

- Rapid weight gain, usually more than 2 pounds (0.9 kg) per week

- shortness of breath

**Are there risks in a second pregnancy after experiencing preeclampsia?**

 

Yes, there are some risks. As mentioned, a previous history of preeclampsia is a risk factor. Studies indicate that the recurrence rate of postpartum preeclampsia is about 20%, while some estimates range from 5% to 80% depending on the timing and severity of the previous infection, in addition to other risk factors such as obesity.

Regardless of the ratio, pregnant women who have experienced postpartum preeclampsia are advised to carefully monitor their blood pressure and monitor symptoms associated with postpartum preeclampsia.

**Can postpartum toxicosis heal spontaneously?**

 

No, postpartum toxemia requires special medical treatment and care that varies from one woman to another, and the possibility of spontaneous recovery should not be relied upon, as it is a serious condition that affects the mother’s health.

**Can a woman suffer from postpartum preeclampsia without having been exposed to preeclampsia?**

 

Yes, a woman can develop postpartum preeclampsia even if she did not suffer from preeclampsia during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a risk factor, but it is not a confirmed cause, as the causes of postpartum preeclampsia are still not precisely known.

**Can postpartum preeclampsia be prevented?**

 

Postpartum preeclampsia is difficult to prevent, so doctors advise pregnant women to follow healthy lifestyles, including a low-sodium diet to avoid high blood pressure, and to take appropriate preventive measures.

**How ​​can I deal with postpartum preeclampsia?**

 

The postpartum period is usually full of emotional and physical changes as a result of the body's need to recover from childbirth. Meanwhile, a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia may increase stress.

**Who is most at risk of developing preeclampsia?**

 

Although preeclampsia occurs mainly in the first pregnancy, women who have had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy are seven times more likely to develop it in the next pregnancy.

Other risk factors include:

- Chronic high blood pressure or kidney disease before pregnancy

- High blood pressure or preeclampsia in early pregnancy

- Obesity

- Women over the age of forty

- Multiple pregnancy

- Race

- Family history of preeclampsia

**Symptoms of preeclampsia**

Some early signs of preeclampsia appear at first, and they serve as an alarm bell indicating the possibility of this condition occurring, as high blood pressure is accompanied by the presence of protein in the urine.

According to the United Kingdom Health Services Authority, via its website nhs.uk, signs that may appear before pre-eclampsia include:

- Severe headache

- Vision problems (such as blurred vision or seeing bright lights)

- Pain in the lower ribs

- Vomiting

- Sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face, and hands.

**How ​​is preeclampsia diagnosed?**

 

Preeclampsia is diagnosed through the following steps:

1. **Clinical examination**: The doctor monitors high blood pressure that exceeds 140/90, in addition to symptoms associated with preeclampsia.

2. **Ultrasound imaging**.

3. **Non-stress test**, and the biophysical profile of the fetus to monitor the growth of the fetus, its breathing rate, and the volume of amniotic fluid surrounding it.

4. **Conducting tests for preeclampsia** such as a blood test, urine test, and albumin analysis, which measures the level of protein in the urine.

**Complications of postpartum preeclampsia**

 

If treatment for postpartum preeclampsia is ignored, a number of serious complications may appear, including:

- Permanent damage to the brain, liver and kidneys.

- Pulmonary edema, a condition that leads to fluid accumulation in the lungs.

- Blood clots, which can form in blood vessels and lead to death or stroke by blocking vessels in the lungs, brain, kidneys, or legs.

- HELLP syndrome, which leads to the destruction of red blood cells, increased liver enzymes, and low platelet counts, which is life-threatening.

- Death.

- Fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema).

- Stroke.

**Treatment of postpartum preeclampsia**

 

Postpartum preeclampsia is related to high blood pressure that may develop into seizures, which requires the attention of doctors. Here are the most prominent ways to treat this condition:

1. **Medicines**

 A doctor usually seeks to lower blood pressure with a combination of medications after diagnosing preeclampsia. The doctor may prescribe magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia patients to prevent seizures, in addition to medications to relieve the pain resulting from headaches. There are several types of medications that a doctor can prescribe to treat blood pressure, which are suitable for breastfeeding women, including:

 - Beta-blockers.

 - Diuretics.

 - Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors).

 - Alpha blockers.

 - Vasodilators.

 - Calcium channel blockers.

 - Alpha-2 receptor agonists.

 - Blood thinners.

2. **Home Remedies**

 Home treatments are effective ways to reduce the risk of postpartum preeclampsia. The most prominent of these treatments are:

 - Follow a balanced diet that includes dividing healthy meals that contain carbohydrates, fiber and protein throughout the day.

 - Self-care, which plays a big role in a woman’s health after childbirth and during pregnancy.

 - Change lifestyle and avoid unhealthy habits.

 - Exercising regularly, as it contributes to improving women’s health after childbirth by increasing heart rate and lowering blood pressure.

 - Get enough rest, as after giving birth a woman is exposed to many stresses, such as physical exertion during labor and sleep deprivation, which may lead to her feeling stressed and disturbed. So, adequate sleep can help reduce these stresses.

 Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can be a suitable option for dealing with postpartum preeclampsia.

This type of treatment helps a woman who suffers from postpartum preeclampsia to relax and relieves her feelings of psychological stress that she may face, especially during the first year after birth due to the child’s multiple needs.

Psychotherapy methods include:

- Practice relaxation and deep breathing techniques.

- Exposure to sunlight, as it has many benefits. It reduces stress and helps relaxation, and it also plays an effective role in lowering blood pressure.