Preeclampsia & Pregnancy
High blood pressure is one of the most common indicators of preeclampsia in pregnant women, some other tell-tale signs include swelling and protein in the urine. However, it can be asymptomatic, so it is important to be regularly checked by health care providers throughout the pregnancy. Some studies suggest preeclampsia affects up to 8% of all women worldwide. It normally appears after the 32nd week, however, it can occur as early as 20 weeks. There are many theories and hypotheses as to why preeclampsia arises but no consensus as to its cause. Complications include cerebral hemorrhage, respiratory distress, placental abruption, high uric acid levels, and even temporary blindness and death. It is important to treat preeclampsia if diagnosed and in some circumstances early delivery is the safest course. Contact us if you have questions on this or any of our birth injury law blog posts.