What is Preeclampsia?

Each year, thousands of women and their babies die or get very sick from preeclampsia, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs during pregnancy and occasionally during the first few weeks following childbirth.

If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to seizure, stroke, organ failure and even death of the woman and/or her baby. It can also have implications long after pregnancy, including on a woman's cardiovascular health.

High blood pressure during pregnancy is one of the warning signs. According to Dr. Robert Atlas, OB/GYN, Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Family Childbirth & Children’s Center at Mercy, anything greater than 140 over 90 with repeated testing is high blood pressure.

“The warning signs, there are several. One is excessive weight gain in a very short time. Another is headaches that are different than normal headaches. You can also have blurry vision, black spots in your eyes. Those are aspects of preeclampsia that you really need to pay attention to,” Atlas said. Dr. Atlas notes that if you have any of these symptoms call your doctor right away.

To view Mercy OB/GYN Dr. Robert Atlas’ interview regarding pregnancy and preeclampsia, click here.