Why women convulse during pregnancy

About one in 100 women with pre-eclampsia develop eclampsia. So, most women with pre-eclampsia do not progress to have eclampsia. However, a main aim of treatment and care of women with pre-eclampsia is to prevent eclampsia and other possible complications. About 20-28% of women who die during pregnancy die as a result of pre-eclampsia. Adewole […]

About one in 100 women with pre-eclampsia develop eclampsia. So, most women with pre-eclampsia do not progress to have eclampsia. However, a main aim of treatment and care of women with pre-eclampsia is to prevent eclampsia and other possible complications. About 20-28% of women who die during pregnancy die as a result of pre-eclampsia. Adewole says eclampsia is risky because some women that appear to have normal blood pressure may tend to develop this problem during pregnancy.

Hence, “If a woman that is pregnant suddenly develops headache, the woman should check her blood pressure. Also, that pain in the upper part of the abdomen should not be regarded as ulcer, especially in pregnancy as it could be a symptom. Blurring of vision or other visual problems are also signs of eclampsia. Again, when a woman suddenly discovers that she is becoming dizzy or hearing voices like hallucinating, it may be a sign of eclampsia,” Adewole warned.

Regular checks may be all that you need if pre-eclampsia remains relatively mild. If it becomes worse, you are likely to be admitted to the hospital. Tests may be done to check your well-being and that of your baby. For example, there’ll be blood tests to check on the function of your liver and kidneys. Also, an ultrasound scan is usual to see how well your baby is growing.

Dr Adewole says if the woman has already convulsed, then every injurious object should be taken away from her and the airway should be taken care of, so that she can breathe well. Eclampsia is preventable. In the developed world, women do not die from eclampsia anymore.

Who gets pre-eclampsia?

Any pregnant woman can develop pre-eclampsia. It occurs in about one in 14 pregnancies. However, you have an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia if you are pregnant for the first time or are pregnant for the first time by a new partner. About one in 30 women develop pre-eclampsia in their first pregnancy.

This Adewole says is because the woman is being exposed to her husband’s antigen for the first time and there is usually immune reaction for people that are meeting for the first time. Also, women who had high blood pressure before the pregnancy started are at high risk.

Though the cause of pre-eclampsia is not known, some medical experts say it is probably due to a problem with the placenta (the afterbirth). It is thought that the blood vessels in the placenta do not develop properly. This may affect the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

How is pre-eclampsia detected?

Pre-eclampsia can develop anytime after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is present if:

•your blood pressure becomes high and

•you have an abnormal amount of protein in your urine.

Is pre-eclampsia the same as high blood pressure in pregnancy?

Medical experts say no. Most do not have pre-eclampsia. With pre-eclampsia, you have high blood pressure, plus protein in your urine and sometimes other symptoms and complications listed below. About one in five pregnant women with high blood pressure progress to pre-eclampsia, experts say.

What is the treatment for pre-eclampsia?

The only complete cure is to deliver the baby. At delivery, the placenta (often called the afterbirth) is delivered just after the baby. Therefore, the cause of the condition is removed. After the birth, the blood pressure and any other symptom in the mother usually soon settle.

It is common practice to induce labour if pre-eclampsia occurs late in pregnancy. A caesarean section can be done if necessary. However, a difficult decision may have to be made if pre-eclampsia occurs earlier in pregnancy.

Dr Adewole says magnesium sulphate has been very helpful in the treatment of pre-eclampsia. Studies have shown that if mothers with pre-eclampsia are given magnesium sulphate, it roughly halves the risk of developing eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate is an anticonvulsant, but prevents eclampsia much better than other types of anticonvulsants, which are used for epilepsy. It does not affect the outcome of the baby, but the risk of serious consequences to the mother is much reduced.