How to lower risk of preeclampsia in pregnancy

According to a study from SeonAe Yeo, Ph.D, an associate professor with a specialty in women’s health at the UNC School of Nursing at Chapel Hill, for some women, preeclampsia risks may be lowered by following a simple 40 minute, 5 times a week, stretching routine during pregnancy.

Researchers at the university, lead by Dr. Yeo, followed 79 women with a history of preeclampsia from 2001 to 2006 to determine the differences between women who walked for exercise and women who stretched.

Yeo and her teams’ findings showed that stretching could in fact provide extra protection against preeclampsia because stretchers produced more transferrin than walkers did. Transferrin is a plasma protein that transports iron through the blood and protects against oxidative stress on the body.

They say these new findings are contrary to the former belief that rigorous exercise was the way to alleviate preeclampsia risk.

Preeclampsia, also called toxemia or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), is a condition that affects between 5% and 8% of pregnancies each year, and accounts for numerous maternal and fetal issues worldwide.

Women who may be prone to the disease are those who have a previous personal history or family history of preeclampsia, those with a history of high blood pressure, those with PCOS, those carrying multiples, those with autoimmune disorders or Lupus, those over 40, those with a body mass index of more than 30 % and those with poor nutritional habits.

Additionally, women who do not consume a healthy diet, remain sedentary, and who do not take the required prenatal supplements before and throughout their pregnancy may increase their chances of contracting preeclampsia. Although preeclampsia is often easily detected with noticeable symptoms, there are instances where it can come about from nowhere, endangering the life of both mother and child if gone untreated.

According to the Preeclampsia Foundation at www.preeclampsia.org, preeclampsia, toxemia, PIH, PET, as well as ephegesis gestosis refer to serious, closely related hypertensive conditions of pregnancy.

The foundation says toxemia is actually an older term used, which was based on a belief that the condition was the result of toxins or poisons in the bloodstream.

Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia in the later stages of pregnancy, if not monitored. Eclampsia is one of the most serious complications of pregnancy and can lead to eclamptic convulsions or seizures that may lead to coma, brain damage, maternal or infant death.

In an effort to reduce blood pressure and preeclampsia symptoms, anti-hypertensive meds may be prescribed, and in rare instances, diuretics. A more recent clinical approach is to use magnesium sulfate.

If the mother or child’s health is at risk and blood pressure cannot be controlled, steroid treatment may be advised to help mature the baby’s lungs and ready him for an early delivery.

Those with a history of preeclampsia may have a restricted diet and exercise routine outlined for them by their health care provider in an attempt to stave off the harmful illness.

On a final note from the study at Chapel Hill; researchers found that at the end of the participants’ pregnancies, almost 15 percent of the women in the walking group had developed preeclampsia and less than 5 percent of the women from the stretching group actually developed the dangerous condition.

Signs of Preeclampsia

When a pregnant woman’s blood pressure readings reach 140/90, more than twice in six hours, it is often a sign of preeclampsia. Other signs related to the onset of preeclampsia are swelling and excess protein in the urine.

If a pregnant woman experiences any of the following symptoms, she should contact her doctor immediately to check for preeclampsia and/or determine the cause of the issue.

• High blood-pressure
• Severe headaches
•  Swelling
•  Changes in vision
• Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
•  Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Decreased urine output

Generally, preeclampsia does not affect pregnant women prone to the illness until after the 20th week of pregnancy.

After a doctor closely monitors a woman’s blood pressure, tests urine for protein levels and diagnoses preeclampsia, the healthcare provider may do additional tests to check that the liver and kidneys are functioning properly.

Additional blood work may be required to see if the blood has the normal number of platelets.

And finally, monitoring the baby’s development is of the utmost importance at this time as it is vital to be certain the baby is continuing to receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients. A steroid treatment may be given in an effort to mature the baby’s lungs.

Determining the cause, symptoms and odds of miscarriage

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Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week; usually occurring before the 12th week during the first trimester. The chances of miscarriage increase considerably as a woman ages. Some studies even suggest pregnancies from men older than 40 increases the odds of miscarriage as well. A miscarriage may occur because the embryo or fetus isn’t developing properly due to chromosomal abnormalities.

Signs and symptoms of miscarriage

Spotting or bleeding
Abdomen or lower back pain
Cramps
Vaginal fluid or tissue discharge
Fever (usually due to septic miscarriage)
Chills (usually due to septic miscarriage)
Body aches and pains (usually due to septic miscarriage)
Thick discharge with foul odor (usually due to septic miscarriage)

Causes of miscarriage

Miscarriage typically occurs due to embryonic abnormalities during the division and growth of the embryo during the first 12 weeks; not usually due to inherited issues from the parents. In some cases though, a mother with uncontrolled diabetes, uterine and cervix issues, thyroid disease, infections or hormonal problems may be at more of a risk of miscarriage.

Intrauterine Fetal Demise occurs when an embryo is present but there is no heartbeat and the embryo has died before there are any signs of miscarriage/pregnancy loss. This may be due to chromosomal and/or genetic abnormalities. This usually occurs during the first trimester.

Blighted Ovum is a very common cause of miscarriage, occurring when a fertilized egg develops a placenta and membrane but no embryo. This usually transpires during the first trimester.

Molar Pregnancy is more of a rarity and occurs in approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Also known as Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, it is an abnormality of the placenta caused by an issue or problem at fertilization where the placenta develops into a fast-growing mass of cysts that may or may not contain an embryo.

Invasive prenatal testing such as CVS (chorionic villus sampling) and/or amniocentesis carry a slight risk of miscarriage. Smoking or consuming alcohol or drugs increases the risk of miscarriage greatly.

Determining miscarriage at the doctor’s office

During a pelvic exam, your doctor will check for cervical dilation. An ultrasound checks for the heartbeat and development of the embryo. Blood tests provide levels of the pregnancy hormone HCG and determination of placental tissue passing. If you have passed tissue and bring it in to your OB/GYN, it can be sent to the lab to confirm miscarriage.

Common medical miscarriage terms

Threatened Miscarriage occurs if you are spotting or bleeding but your cervix has not dilated. Some pregnancies remain viable even though they may be threatened initially.

Inevitable Miscarriage occurs when you are bleeding, your uterus is contracting and your cervix is dilated. Miscarriage is inevitable.

Incomplete Miscarriage occurs when some placental/fetal material passes but some remains in uterine.

Missed Miscarriage occurs when the placental/embryonic tissue remains but the embryo has died or not formed.

Complete Miscarriage is the most common of miscarriages. All pregnancy tissues have passed. Usually takes place within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. The entire process may take up to four weeks if done naturally.

Septic Miscarriage is when an infection develops within the uterus. A severe infection, this must be handled by medical professionals immediately. Some signs include severe abdominal pain, fever, chills and vomiting.

Medical and surgical miscarriage treatment

After medically confirming pregnancy loss or the inevitable loss, there are medical treatments available that speed up the process and get one back on track quicker like oral medications or vaginal ointments to expel all remaining pregnancy tissue. Some side effects may include nausea, cramps and diarrhea. About 70% of women will bring miscarriage to a close within 24-48 hours.

A surgical procedure called suction dilation and curettage also known as D and C dilates your cervix and suctions the non-viable pregnancy tissues. Uterine walls may be gently scraped of unnecessary tissue as well. To stop the bleeding, a D and C procedure might be necessary for some women.

Recovery

After a miscarriage, whether natural or with medical assistance, recovery time varies. For some it may only be hours, for others a few days to weeks. Generally a period will return within 4-6 weeks. Women must watch for signs of infection throughout recovery and consult a doctor immediately if symptoms develop like fever, chills, severe pain and/or heavier than normal bleeding. Additionally, doctors advise no tampons, douching or sex for two weeks following a miscarriage.

Pregnancy after miscarriage

Most OB/GYN’s recommend waiting one menstrual cycle after a miscarriage to try and conceive again; however it is possible to become pregnant before the next cycle.

Doctors advise additional testing for women who have experienced two or more miscarriages to identify underlying problems and/or abnormalities. After addressing issues, more than 60% of women will go on to deliver healthy babies.