Today's Headlines

Preeclampsia is when a pregnant woman in her third trimester experiences a sharp rise in blood pressure. This rise in blood pressure may also lead to swollen ankles, irritability and kidney problems due to protein in the urine.

Preeclampsia is a common occurrence. Five percent of pregnant women experience preeclampsia and is more frequent among first pregnancies.

A diagnosis of preeclampsia could also indicate that the placenta is detaching from the uterus. Left untreated preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a life-threatening situation for both mother and baby.

Treatment options for preeclampsia include medication and bed rest. If that doesn't help your doctor may request a c-section or induce labor.

Eclampsia can occur if preeclampsia gets out of control. Eclampsia is when a pregnant mother with preeclampsia has seizures. Eclampsia is the most common form of death of pregnant women in underdeveloped countries. This can also be a serious problem in developed countries. Doctors treat eclampsia with antispasmodic medication such as magnesium sulfate.