PRE-ECLAMPSIA
Know the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia. Click here

What do I do if I am diagnosed with pre-eclampsia?
Many times if presented with milder symptoms of pre-eclampsia, women will be told to get plenty of bed rest. This is to help control your blood pressure. However, if your symptoms change or worsen, contact your doctor immediately. Have someone available who can drive you to the hospital if necessary.

If you are admitted into the hospital

• Inform the nurses/doctors if your symptoms change or worsen
• Have a family member present who can advocate in case you are unable to speak for yourself
• Know that pre-eclampsia doesn't always go away immediately after giving birth, and for some, high blood pressure remains
• Be careful even after leaving the hospital and monitor your blood pressure. Most maternal deaths due to pre-eclampsia occur 24 to 48 hours after giving birth, but seriously high blood pressure can last up to 6 weeks even while treated
• Follow up with a specialist and make sure there are no underlying factors to the high blood pressure

What is the cure?
At this time, there is no cure for pre-eclampsia. Delivery of the baby sets the recovery process in motion.

What if I want to get pregnant again? Tests to ask for
After being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a woman should be tested for the following, even if she was tested during her pre-eclamptic episode, especially if she would like to have more children:

• Lieden Factor V mutation R560Q (DNA test by PCR)
• Hyperhomocysteinemia MTHFR Mutation (DNA test by PCR)
• Prothrombin Gene Mutation 20210 (GA) (DNA test by PCR)
• Protein C levels
• Protein S levels
• Activated Protein C activity
• Antibodies to 6 phospholipids of the IgM, IgG and IgA classes
• Lupus anticoagulant antibody
• Russell Viper Venom time
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
• Prothrombin time (PT) and Partial Prothrombin time (PTT)

Other things to test for:

• Blood pressure
• 24 hour urine test with blood draw when you turn it in for creatinine clearance (to test kidney function)
• ANA (Anti-nuclear antibody test)
• Sed rate - if there is thought to be an auto-immune disorder (tests for inflammation in the body)
• Thyroid function labs
• Diabetes screening

If there is a history of HELLP syndrome, additional metabolic panels, genetic testing and liver function tests should be completed.