What Is Preeclampsia & How To Reduce Your Risk
What is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a condition which women are at risk of after the 20th week of their pregnancy. This condition sees the mother develop issues such as high blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling. It can be extremely dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child and requires close monitoring by medical professionals to ensure symptoms do not progress.
The symptoms of preeclampsia may include:
- Leg swelling
- Rapid weight gain
- Coughing and/or shortness of breath
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Generally feeling unwell
There are many risk factors to the development of preeclampsia, such as:
- Family history or preeclampsia in previous pregnancy
- Being overweight and/or no regular exercise
- High blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, blood clots
- First pregnancy and/or carrying multiple babies
Preeclampsia Management
In the present day, the best advice medical professionals can provide to beat preeclampsia is to deliver the baby if the pregnancy is a safe distance through. When this is not possible, symptoms will need to be managed by a doctor through blood pressure medications, urine tests, blood tests, liver function tests, regular monitoring of your baby’s vital signs and bed rest.
How to minimise preeclampsia symptoms
5% of all pregnant Australian women suffer from preeclampsia or high blood pressure. Often, bed rest is prescribed to reduce the severity and it is very important to strictly adhere to this. A physiotherapist will also advise some basic exercises to reduce other complications.
Sufferers of preeclampsia are often at high risk of chest infections; therefore sitting upright for large portions of the day and doing deep breathing exercises are important. Deep vein thrombosis is also a risk, meaning that undertaking foot and ankle exercises plus other basic movements throughout the day will lower this risk. Keeping your feet/legs elevated where possible, wearing tight stockings and leg massage will also help to control swelling.
How to reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia
The obvious strategy would be to address the variable risk factors prior to falling pregnant:
- lose weight
- cardiovascular exercise 4-5 times per week
- improve your diet
Conclusion
The healthier you are when you fall pregnant the lower the chance of a high risk pregnancy.
However, if you find yourself pregnant without the luxury of planning, undertaking some form of exercise is important for many reasons but could also have a protective effect against developing preeclampsia. Research has found that walking programs are safe and do not increase the risk of developing preeclampsia and that gentle stretching exercises of 40 minutes a day, five days a week may have a protective effect. Personalised Clinical Exercise or home exercise programs are great options to speak to your physiotherapist about. It is important to note that there is no current evidence which supports reduced activity to prevent preeclampsia.
Every pregnant woman’s health and exercise ability is very different and therefore it is important to seek advice from your doctor and physiotherapist to design an appropriate exercise program.
Nicole Tayler – Principal Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Patterson Lakes
Nicole graduated from the University of Melbourne with Honours in 2007. Nicole uses her wealth of experience and knowledge as a supervisor and mentor to our other physios. She has a passion for women's health and hopes pursue further professional development in this area in the future.