Symptoms of Pre-Eclampsia & Eclampsia

High blood pressure
Fluid retention
Swelling
Swollen hands, feet, face
Persistent headaches
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light
Abdominal pain
Kidney problems
Proteinuria (excess protein in urine)
Albuminuria (excess albumin in urine)
Reduced urine
Convulsions
Jaundice

Diagnosing Pre-eclampsia

Commonly, there are three primary characteristics of this pregnancy condition that care providers will look for during antenatal visits.

High Blood Pressure

The critical markers for high blood pressure readings are 140/90 or over; or a rise of 25 or over systolic; or a rise of more than 15 diastolic; from normal blood pressure.

Proteinuria (Protein in Urine)

In Australia, the cutoff for abnormal values of protein in urine varies depending on the lab that the urine is tested at. The cut off ranges for abnormal protein range from 150mg/day to 300mg/day. Small amounts of protein between 0-150mg/day is considered within the normal range. Dipstick urine tests for protein have a very high false-positive rate, so further testing should be done before panicking. Repeat tests should be done to see if the level of protein changes for the better or worse with the progression of pregnancy.

Edema (Swelling, Fluid Retention)

This is diagnosed by a physical examination and is swelling in the legs, feet, ankles, hands, and face. Swelling and fluid retention seems to be common in pregnancy for many women and alone is not an indicator of pre-eclampsia.

Alternative treatments for pre-eclampsia are;

• Fish Oil supplement that is tested safe for heavy metal content
• High protein diet of 75 to 100 grams daily, more if you already have pre-eclampsia
• Plenty of water
• Eat salt as taste requires
• Calcium and Magnesium supplements (in the form of tablets or pregnancy herbal infusions & teas)
• Moderate exercise
• Avoid toxic substances that tax the liver and kidneys (caffeine, pollution from smokers or high traffic, strong chemicals and scents in the home, refined foods such as white sugar/flour/salt, processed foods, and take NO drugs at all.)
• Full body water immersion is also supposed to help lower blood pressure
• Foods for lowering blood pressure include garlic, cucumbers, parsley and onions.
• Drink a cup of skullcap tea/infusion as needed
• Drink red raspberry leaf, dandelion and nettle tea regularly
• Balance your sodium and potassium levels in the body with raw beet juice (also increases calcium)

Please note that if you plan to increase protein in your diet, it is advised to increase protein intake of foods like beans, legumes, whole grains and ensure that you continue to consume plenty of dark leafy greens, vegetables, fruit and water. Meat, eggs and dairy products produce acidic conditions in the body so eat in moderation or limited amounts.

Dr. Michel Odent has written a paper on a more holistic treatment of pre-eclampsia. He states that:

“Theoretically, the most direct way to prevent preeclampsia would be to consume sea fish that is rich in n-3 polyunsaturates and also in minerals that are essential nutrients for the brain (eg, iodine, selenium, and zinc). This conforms with the geographical variations in the rates of preeclampsia and with the results of our encouragement of pregnant women to eat fish from the sea. In order to reach significant conclusions, large studies of this kind are needed in countries where the rates of preeclampsia and eclampsia are high.”

Pre-eclampsia Concerns & Risks

The hindrance of blood flow to and in body organs; like the liver, kidneys, brain, uterus and placenta; due to constricted blood vessels. Those important organs may stop working at optimal capacity, and complications could develop as a result.

Placental abruption – the premature detachment of the placenta from the uterus wall during pregnancy or childbirth (before the baby is born). This can risk the life of both mother and baby.

Development problems in the baby like intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR/poor fetal growth), and stillbirth.

Bleeding – this can include during pregnancy, childbirth or post-partum. Because bleeding is a risk of pre-eclampsia, it is possible that there is a risk of post-partum haemhorrage (PPH).

Seizures and convulsions, or strokes.

Organ rupture.

Death in the mother and/or baby.

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