"It can happen in women without a history of it, but there are circumstances that increase the risk," said obstetrician and gynecologist Miriam Turiel about preeclampsia during pregnancy.

This pregnancy complication can have serious consequences for both mother and child.

Preeclampsia is one of the complications of pregnancy that worries many experts, not only because of its impact on the health of the mother and baby, but because it often develops silently and without warning.But there may be some signs that warn us about the presence of this problem.Therefore, experts emphasize: it is important to know your symptoms and choose an early diagnosis to save health during pregnancy. Gynecologist Dr. of Clinica Universidad de Navarre.Miriam Turrill explains to us.

What is birth control and why is it considered a bad pregnancy?

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is mainly characterized by high blood pressure and possible damage to various organs such as the kidneys, liver or placenta.It is considered a serious complication because it can have important consequences on the health of both the mother and the baby because it can interfere with the proper functioning of the placenta and compromise the growth and well-being of the fetus.Therefore, its early detection is essential.

In what period of pregnancy does it usually appear during pregnancy?

Preeclampsia most commonly occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, although in some cases it can occur in the days after birth or even for the first time.

Are there risk factors that increase the likelihood of development?

yes. Even if it happens in women without a history, there are situations that increase the risk, such as first pregnancy, twins, preeclampsia in personal or family history, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease or obesity or older age of the mother.Knowing these factors allows us to do closer and more personal monitoring.

What are the most common symptoms of preeclampsia?

Symptoms can vary, but the most common are:

- sudden swelling in the face, hands or feet.

- Severe headache.

- Changes in vision, such as blurred vision or flashes.

- Pain in the upper part of the abdomen.

- Feeling unwell or tired.

Which of these symptoms worries the pregnant woman the most?

It is important to consult immediately if severe and prolonged headache, blurred vision or loss of vision, severe pain under the ribs, throbbing and sudden swelling or sudden weight gain after a few days occur, as these may be symptoms of a more serious form of the disease.

Are there silent symptoms that are only seen in clinical trials?

Yes, and this is the key.In many cases, preeclampsia initially causes no symptoms.During pregnancy control, high blood pressure, the presence of proteins in the urine or changes in blood tests can only be detected.That is why periodic examinations are important.

How is the diagnosis of preeclampsia confirmed?

The results of the diagnosis are based on the parameters of blood pressure, urine and blood analysis to evaluate the function of various organs.In addition, it includes monitoring the child's well-being through ultrasound and other tests.This should always be done by a special medical team.

What risks does preeclampsia pose to the mother's health?

Most women with a birth control disorder do well if it is well controlled.However, it is important to know that it is a potentially serious disease, because if it is not detected or treated properly, it can affect the mother's various organs.It can cause a significant increase in blood pressure, changes in kidney, liver or blood coagulation function, and in more severe cases it is called epilepsy.

Globally, preeclampsia is one of the main causes of serious problems during pregnancy and is considered the second cause of maternal death in the world.For this reason, there is a great focus on prevention, early diagnosis and special monitoring, which can significantly reduce these risks in our environment.

What complications can occur if not diagnosed or treated in time?

In addition to the risk to the mother, it can affect the baby, causing intrauterine growth retardation, premature birth, placental abruption or the need for an earlier termination of pregnancy than planned.Early diagnosis significantly reduces these risks.

What treatment options are available after diagnosis?

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the period of pregnancy when it is diagnosed.It may involve careful monitoring of low blood pressure, anti-hypertensive medications, and in some cases hospitalization for further monitoring.Every medicine is a birth, so we always find a balance between protecting the mother's health and allowing the baby to grow as safely as possible.

The good news is that we now know that, in many cases, preeclampsia can be prevented.There are screening programs in the first weeks of pregnancy that allow women at high risk to be identified and treatment with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid to be started early, a safe and well-tolerated drug during pregnancy.Thanks to these advances, we can advance the disease and dramatically improve the diagnosis and health of both mother and child.