Medical Minute Edema in pregnancy

On Saturday, pregnant socialite Kim Kardashian Instagram’ed a photo of her swollen feet caused by mild edema.

Edema in pregnant women is a build up of fluids in the extremities (hands, arms, feet, legs and face). Pregnant women retain more water, especially in the late 2nd or early 3rd trimester.

Swelling in the feet can be caused by wearing constricting shoes and clothing; standing for long periods of time; consuming a diet high in salt (sodium) and caffeine. Eating a diet low in potassium.

Prevention of edema in pregnancy includes avoid standing for long periods of time; wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing (maternity clothes); wear support hose to reduce swelling in feet; eat a healthy diet and drink lots of water (at least 8-10 glasses a day).

Notify your physician/OB/GYN if swelling in your arms, legs or face persist for more than 24 hours and doesn’t improve with rest or elevating the affected part.

Edema in pregnant women can also be due to a potentially serious medical condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is diagnosed in pregnant women who have pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, excrete protein in their urine (proteinuria); and have swelling in their extremities (edema).

Pre-eclampsia can also have no symptoms. So visiting your OB/GYN for blood pressure monitoring and urine tests is vitally important.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are caused by a non-functioning placenta. Preeclampsia is most often seen in first-time pregnancies, in pregnant teens, and in women over 40.

Eclampsia follows pre-eclampsia and is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Both conditions require emergency medical attention.

The signs and symptoms of Severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia are:

  • Headaches
  • Seizures
  • Blurred vision, flashing lights, floaters
  • Dizziness
  • Bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage)
  • Intolerance to bright lights
  • Fatigue, tire easily
  • Excessive nausea/vomiting
  • Infrequent urination or no urination
  • Upper right abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath (SOB)
  • Bruising easily
  • Sudden weight gain of 2 lbs. or more

    • Eclampsia seizures left untreated can cause coma and death. Eclampsia (toxemia, seizures) usually follows severe preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension, proteinuria).

    Both conditions require emergency medical attention.

    Treatment

    Treatment of both eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia involves medications to control high blood pressure and seizures (anti-hypertensives, anticonvulsants).

    If you have mild eclampsia, your doctor may prescribe bedrest and careful monitoring of your blood pressure and urine protein levels.

    There is no cure for pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, so labor must be induced quickly or a c-section is performed to deliver the baby even if the fetus is premature.

    In worst cases scenarios, the fetus must be aborted to save the mother’s life.

    After the baby is delivered (or aborted), the symptoms should go away in 1 to 6 weeks.

    This has been your Medical Minute.

    DISCLAIMER

    Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following advice found on this blog.

    More Info On the Web

    Preeclampsia and Eclampsia – WebMD

    Edema During Pregnancy – Whattoexpect.com

    Swelling ankles – Baby Med

    Swelling During Pregnancy – Justmommies.com