The Dangers of Preeclampsia

As COVID-19 continues to grip our attention we cannot forget about the medical conditions that existed well before it. This especially rings true for pregnant women during an already stressful time. As a Certified Nurse Midwife at SLV Health, it is my profession to treat pregnancy and birth as a normal part of a woman’s life. It is also my role to notice and intervene when things are going outside of normal.

Preeclampsia is a condition that goes outside of normal pregnancy and occurs in 3-4% of all pregnancies; it often starts as mild increases in a pregnant women’s blood pressure and can become more dangerous over time. Worsening preeclampsia may include damage to important organs like the liver, kidneys, and brain; it may also affect the growth of the baby. If undetected and untreated preeclampsia can worsen and cause seizures, stroke, and even death. Early signs of preeclampsia are often unnoticeable, which is one of the main reasons regular visits with your provider during pregnancy is so important. At frequent appointments, blood pressure and urine checks are simple and effective ways of detecting early signs of preeclampsia.

Stephanie Posorske, CNM, is part of the OB/GYN team at the SLV Health Women's Health Clinic at 106 Blanca Avenue.  She can be reached at (719) 589-8028.