Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine that occurs after the 20th week. Preeclampsia happens when vessels in the mother’s womb constrict, cutting off blood and oxygen to the fetus. It occurs in late pregnancy and produces a spike in blood pressure. Pre-eclampsia (previously called toxemia) is defined to exist when a pregnant woman with gestational hypertension develops proteinuria. Originally, edema was considered part of the syndrome of pre-eclampsia, but presently the former two symptoms are sufficient for a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. Endothelial dysfunction may underlie preeclampsia.

Prevention of Preeclampsia - Multivitamins  and diet
Women who are considering becoming pregnant may reduce their risk of developing preeclampsia by taking a multivitamin supplement regularly three months before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Women who use multivitamins regularly have a reduction in preeclampsia risk, particularly for women who were not overweight prior to pregnancy. Because multivitamins contain many nutrients, it is difficult to know the exact mechanism by which the risk of preeclampsia is reduced. A previous study had found that vitamin C and E supplements given to healthy pregnant women do not reduce their risk of developing preeclampsia. Apparently, it takes more than vitamins C and E to be helpful in the prevention of preeclampsia.
    Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes who maintain good control of their blood sugar levels during the second trimester are at decreased risk for developing preeclampsia.

Vitamin D and pre-eclampsia
Moms-to-be who have low vitamin D levels during pregnancy appear to be at increased risk for suffering from pre-eclampsia symptoms.

Preeclampsia and blood sugar control
Among pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, HbA1c levels during the second trimester predict the risk of preeclampsia, according to a report in the December issue of BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Achieving excellent glycemic control in pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia in women with pregestational diabetes.

Incidence of Preeclampsia
Also known as toxemia, preeclampsia affects about 7% of first pregnancies and is a leading cause of premature delivery and maternal and fetal death. Preeclampsia is more prevalent in the developing world, where it accounts for up to 80% of maternal deaths. And while treatment is more readily available in developed countries, preeclampsia remains the leading cause of maternal death. Infants born to mothers with preeclampsia have a risk of mortality five times greater than those born to women with normal pregnancies. In the United States alone, nearly 15% of preterm deliveries are a result of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia symptom
Preeclampsia can produce these symptoms: edema (an accumulation of fluid in various parts of the body that causes swelling), headaches, weight gain of more than two pounds a week.

Sign of preeclampsia
Preeclampsia complications include hypertension, water retention and protein in the urine. Untreated, preeclampsia may progress to the far more serious eclampsia, which can lead to seizures, coma and death.

Future Complications of Preeclampsia
Pregnant women who develop preeclampsia and who have a low birth weight infant appear to have an increased risk of later kidney problems. The risk of kidney disease is highest in women with both factors. It is well known that preeclampsia is associated with later cardiovascular disease in the mother.

Preeclampsia Questions
Q. Would a dhea supplement or pregnenolone supplement help with preeclampsia? What about CoQ10?
     A. I don't know. I prefer focusing on eating cold water fish with epa and dha fish oils.

Q. Does water immersion help with symptoms of preeclampsia?
   A. For pregnant women who develop preeclampsia, water immersion does little to correct the problem.