How Can I Prevent Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?
Because no one knows what causes preeclampsia, it is very difficult to know how to prevent it. But once preeclampsia has been identified, there are steps that can be taken to prevent eclampsia, a more serious form of preeclampsia. These include: • Bed rest • Careful monitoring of mother and baby • Delivery of baby Aspirin has been shown to have a protective effect in women with risk factors for preeclampsia. If you have significant risk factors and a history of preeclampsia your doctor may recommend that you take a low dose aspirin daily. Once the baby has been delivered, the mother’s blood pressure almost always returns to normal. Medically reviewed by Tracy Shuman, MD , WebMD, August 2005. SOURCES: American Academy of Family Physicians. The Mayo Clinic. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Preeclampsia Foundation.
