What are pre-eclampsia and eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are forms of high blood pressure that occur during pregnancy, in association with a significant loss of protein in the urine, called proteinuria). As the names suggest, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are related. Pre-eclampsia, also called “toxaemia of pregnancy”, may develop into the more severe eclampsia. Eclampsia has the same features as pre-eclampsia but is characterised by seizures. These conditions, when they develop, usually occur during the second half of pregnancy – at or after 20 weeks — although there are cases where they develop shortly after delivery. Women with pre-eclampsia may have no symptoms initially, but can go on to develop headaches, visual disturbances, abdominal pain, vomiting, and experience a reduction in foetal movements. Pre-eclampsia is dangerous, since it may interfere with the placenta’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrition to the foetus. If this is the case, your baby may be born underweight, may have other health problems,
