Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and other organ function, often liver and kidney damage. Preeclampsia usually begins in women with normal blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications — even fatal ones — for both you and your baby. The most effective treatment if you have preeclampsia is delivery of your baby. It may still take a while for you to get better, even after delivering the baby. If, during your pregnancy, you are diagnosed with preeclampsia too early to deliver your baby, you and your doctor face a challenging task. Your baby needs more time to develop, but you must avoid any serious injuries to yourself or your infant.