Preeclampsia: Hypertension During Pregnancy A healthy pregnancy supports the normal development of your baby, both before and after birth. However, sometimes pregnant women experience complications that raise the risk of health problems for them and their baby. One example is preeclampsia, a health condition that affects about 10% of female Warfighters. What Is Preeclampsia? Preeclampsia happens when you develop high blood pressure while pregnant as a result of abnormal placenta formation. The placenta is a temporary organ that supplies oxygen and nutrients to your developing baby. When it doesn’t anchor itself to the uterus properly, blood vessels throughout your body can narrow and leak. This damage reduces blood supply to your organs and baby, which can lead to serious health problems. What Are the Symptoms of Preeclampsia? Most women with preeclampsia experience swelling in different parts of their body, especially the hands and face. You may also notice abnormal weight gain (e.g., more than 2 to 3 pounds in a week) and urine that looks foamy or bubbly. These signs usually appear after the 20th week of pregnancy, though sometimes may not show up until post-childbirth. If the condition worsens, additional symptoms might appear. Persistent headache Vision changes (e.g., blurriness, seeing spots, light sensitivity) Pain below the ribs on the right side or in the right shoulder Nausea or vomiting during the second half of pregnancy Trouble breathing Urinating less than usual What Raises the Risk of Preeclampsia? While there’s no known cause of preeclampsia, there are some factors that may increase your likelihood of developing it. First, multiple (e.g., twins) or IVF pregnancy Having an autoimmune disorder (e.g., lupus) History of diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or thyroid disease Experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder or high levels of stress Personal or family history of preeclampsia Obesity Over 35 years of age Black or African American race Pregnancy more than 10 years after a previous pregnancy Previous pregnancy complications (e.g., low birth weight, gestational hypertension) How Does Preeclampsia Affect Health and Readiness? The serious health effects associated with preeclampsia last up to 6 weeks after giving birth. During this time, you’re at much higher risk of stroke and seizures. In addition, damaged blood vessels throughout your body can threaten vital organs, leading to possible liver rupture or kidney failure. The damage may also interfere with blood clotting and contribute to fluid buildup in the lungs, which are life-threatening conditions. These complications can require extra medical leave that delays your return to service, resulting in lost duty days, limited duty status and/or deferred deployment. Preeclampsia doesn’t just threaten your health during pregnancy and postpartum – it raises the risk of future health problems, too. Having the condition makes you more likely to develop obesity, as well as other chronic conditions like kidney disease, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It also increases the chance of experiencing a heart attack or stroke later in life. Since these conditions often progress over time, your job performance and readiness may be impacted long after your pregnancy. How Can I Prevent Preeclampsia? Preeclampsia isn’t preventable, but there are ways to lower your risk. Engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors before becoming pregnant may help. For example, switching to a more nutritious eating plan supports your health and helps manage existing chronic conditions that increase preeclampsia risk. Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight, both before and during pregnancy, also promote optimal health. If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy and at high risk of preeclampsia, your health care provider may recommend taking baby aspirin or calcium supplements. Always consult with your care team before starting or stopping any medication, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. Any complications that arise while pregnant can put you and your developing baby at risk of future health problems. If you experience any abnormal symptoms during pregnancy, contact your health care team immediately. Taking care of yourself and your baby relies on getting the prenatal care you need. Additional ResourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention - “High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy”TRICARE - “Pregnancy Care”ReferencesAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - “Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy”Harvard Medical School - “Preeclampsia and eclampsia”Johns Hopkins Medicine - “Preeclampsia”Johnson D et al. - “Pregnancy Weight Gain and Postpartum Weight Retention in Active Duty Military Women: Implications for Readiness”Medline Plus - “Preeclampsia”Mu TS et al. - “Rates of Preeclampsia and Post-preeclamptic Cardiovascular Disease Among US Military Servicewomen: A Retrospective Case-cohort Study”U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - “Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia rates higher in women with PTSD”U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - “Understanding Preeclampsia”
