There are several risk factors for expecting mothers to be aware of, such as obesity before and during pregnancy, or a history of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or kidney disease. Also, women carrying more than one fetus are at higher risk of developing the disorder, as are teens and pregnant women over 40. The best way to stop preeclampsia from progressing to more dangerous conditions is by delivery of the baby. If a pregnancy has not progressed to the point that the fetus can safely survive outside of the womb, more conservative measures can also be used, including bed rest, careful monitoring of salt and fluid intake, administration of IV saline solution and magnesium sulfate treatments. These treatments are designed to bring the negative effects of both high blood pressure and edema under control at minimal risk to the developing fetus, and may help to stabilize the pregnancy enough to allow mothers to carry developing fetuses to term, or to a gestational age when delivery is possible.
Because preeclampsia can usually be kept under control if detected early, expecting mothers who are diagnosed with the condition have every reason for optimism if they are careful to follow their doctors’ advice. Though preeclampsia cannot be prevented outright at this point in the progress of medical science, there are many ways of dealing with the condition when it does develop, so that expecting parents can look forward to the birth of their children with minimal worry about health dangers.
