Pre-eclampsia

This information is for you if you have been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia or if you wish to know more about it.

Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication that can affect any pregnancy. It causes you to have high blood pressure and protein in your urine (wee). It can be dangerous to both you and your baby. It can make you unwell and can affect your baby’s growth and wellbeing. It is important that you attend all your appointments to minimise your risk of becoming unwell.

Phone Maternity Triage immediately if you have any of the symptoms listed below in the section 'What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?'.

What is pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a complication that you can only get during pregnancy or straight after your baby is born. It can affect you and your unborn baby.

Pre-eclampsia causes changes in the blood vessels all over your body. As a result of this:

• your blood pressure rises

• protein from your blood leaks into your wee.

Pre-eclampsia is caused by problems with the placenta. In pre-eclampsia the placenta does not receive enough blood from you. This can affect you and your baby in different ways.

When does it happen?

Pre-eclampsia usually develops after 28 weeks of pregnancy. However, it can develop:

• as early as 20 weeks of pregnancy

• during labour, or soon after your baby is born

• in the early days after your baby is born

It can develop slowly or suddenly.

It is very rare to develop pre-eclampsia before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

If you are concerned at any time, contact Maternity Triage for advice. Maternity Triage is available 24 hours a day.

How will my midwife check for pre-eclampsia?

Your midwife will check your blood pressure and wee at all your midwife appointments. They may ask you to go to Maternity Triage if:

• your blood pressure is raised; or

• you have protein in your wee.

Maternity Triage staff will check your blood pressure, often over a period of time, and take some blood tests. You may be in Maternity Triage for some time. If you are worried about blood tests, please speak to your midwife. They will discuss ways they can support you with this.

What causes pre-eclampsia?

The exact cause of pre-eclampsia is not fully understood. However, it is thought to involve several environmental and genetic factors. These affect the way your baby’s placenta develops and functions.

How common is pre-eclampsia and who is at risk?

Pre-eclampsia is common, affecting up to eight in every 100 pregnancies (8%) in the UK. You are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy if: 

• this is your first pregnancy (about four in every 100 first pregnancies are affected compared to about two in every 100 second pregnancies)

• you are aged 40 years or older

• you had hypertension (high blood pressure) before your pregnancy

• you had hypertension (high blood pressure) during a previous pregnancy 

• your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or more at the beginning of your pregnancy

• you have kidney disease

• you have an autoimmune disease (for example, lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome)

• you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes

• there are more than 10 years between this pregnancy and the birth of your last baby

• there is a family history of pre-eclampsia

• you are expecting more than one baby (for example, twins or triplets)

What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?

Below is a list of symptoms you could experience with pre-eclampsia. You may have one or more of the symptoms. If you have any of the symptoms listed below or you are worried, call Maternity Triage straight away. They are available 24 hours every day on 01227 206737.

• A severe frontal headache. This is a headache at the front of your head, which does not go away with your usual medication.

• Problems with your vision, such as:

  • blurred vision (when things seem blurry or out of focus when you look at them); or

  • seeing flashing lights or floating objects when you look at normal things.

• Pain below your ribs, especially on the right side. This known as epigastric pain.

• Vomiting (being sick).

• A sudden increase in swelling of your face, hands, feet, or ankles. Your partner, friend or family member may notice this before you do.

Any of these could be signs of pre-eclampsia and must be checked immediately.  

What can I do to reduce my chance of developing pre-eclampsia?

It is not possible to completely remove the risk of developing pre-eclampsia. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. These include:

• eating a healthy diet

• getting regular exercise

If you would like more information about diet and exercise, speak to your midwife. More information can also be found in the Useful links section at the bottom of this leaflet.

If you have risk factors, you may have already been prescribed small daily doses of aspirin. This is usually given from 12 weeks of pregnancy. For more information, please read the Low dose aspirin (150mg) in pregnancy leaflet. If you have any questions, please speak to your doctor or midwife.

Remember:

• You must go to all your midwife and doctor appointments.

• Make sure they check your blood pressure and urine (wee) at every appointment.

What does pre-eclampsia mean for me?

If your midwife thinks you may have pre-eclampsia, you will probably need to go to Maternity Triage. Your blood pressure and urine (wee) will be checked.

• If your blood pressure is high (140 / 90 or more) you may need medicine to control it. The medicine will not harm your unborn baby.

• If your blood pressure is over 160 / 100 you may need to stay in the hospital.

Pre-eclampsia can affect blood vessels in many parts of your body. You may also have tests that look at your liver, kidneys, and blood clotting system.

Many women feel well even with severe pre-eclampsia. However, feeling ill can be a warning sign that you have the illness or that it is getting worse.

What does pre-eclampsia mean for my baby?

Pre-eclampsia can also affect the health of your unborn baby. They will be checked regularly for slow growth and other signs of ill health. Your midwife will often do these checks using a regular ultrasound.

Pre-eclampsia affects how well your placenta works. This can affect the growth of your baby, meaning they are smaller than they should be. If your placenta is severely affected, your baby may become very unwell. In some severe cases the baby may die in your uterus (womb).

If you have severe pre-eclampsia that is making you or your baby unwell, your baby may need to be born prematurely. This means that your baby is born early (before 37 weeks). Premature babies are at increased risk of complications, and may need to be cared for in the Neonatal Unit when they are born. 

You can ask questions at any time. You may be able to speak to the paediatrician (baby doctor) about the expected care for your baby, or have a tour of the Neonatal Unit.

Some babies remain healthy even when their mothers have severe pre-eclampsia. It is important to monitor your baby’s movements. If you have any concerns, please phone Maternity Triage immediately. Do not wait until the following morning. The Maternity Triage contact details are at the bottom of this leaflet.

Should I monitor my blood pressure at home?

If you have pre-eclampsia or are at higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia, you may wish to monitor your own blood pressure at home. It is very important that you only use a trusted at-home blood pressure monitor. A list of these devices can be found on the Stride BP web site, under Pregnancy.

Please discuss your blood pressure with your midwife or obstetrician. They will tell you when blood pressure readings are outside the normal range, and when to call for advice.

How is pre-eclampsia treated?

Because the placenta causes pre-eclampsia, it does not get better until after delivery.

Blood pressure treatment is safe. While you are pregnant, your doctor may give you medication to control your blood pressure. This will not harm your baby. Treatment may reduce the risk of complications for you and your baby.

Many women with pre-eclampsia have their babies early. The doctors and midwives monitor you and your baby very carefully. They may advise you that it is safer for you (and / or your baby) to deliver your baby early.

Will I be offered extra tests?

If you have pre-eclampsia you may be offered extra tests.

• Ultrasound scans for growth (often every two to four weeks).

• A Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) blood test to support a diagnosis. This blood test measures a specific protein made by the placenta. If the PGIF level is low it indicates that the placenta is not working as it should.

• Tests to check the level of protein in your wee.

• Regular reviews in Maternity Day Care to check both you and your baby.

When will my baby be born?

We will continue to monitor you and your baby closely, to check that you can safely carry on with your pregnancy. If you reach 37 weeks pregnant or are diagnosed with pre-eclampsia after 37 weeks we will advise you to have your baby. We may advise you to give birth earlier than 37 weeks if you or your baby become unwell. This would mean that your baby is premature, so your doctor will only advise this if they feel that it is safer than carrying on with the pregnancy.

The risks and benefits to both you and your baby will be discussed with you, so you can make an informed choice. Your birth options will depend on your individual circumstances. However, your options will include an induction of labour or a planned caesarean birth. 

What happens if I develop severe pre-eclampsia?

If you develop severe pre-eclampsia, we will admit you to hospital. Treatment may include medication (either tablets or via a drip) to lower and control your blood pressure. You may also be given a medication called magnesium sulphate to reduce the chance of you having an eclamptic fit. This medication can also be used to treat eclampsia if you have already had a fit. If you become very unwell you may need to be cared for in a High Dependency Unit or Critical Care Unit.

The only way to cure pre-eclampsia is for your baby to be born. Each pregnancy is unique. The timing of the birth, together with how your baby will be born, will depend on your own situation. Your doctors will discuss all your options with you. You can ask as many questions as you need to.

The aim of treatment is to prevent “eclampsia”. Eclampsia is the seizures that happen if we do not manage your pre-eclampsia. During these seizures both mother and baby will be at risk, due to lack of oxygen. They are both at risk of death or brain damage.

What happens after birth?

Pre-eclampsia goes away after birth. However, complications may still happen within the first few day, so we will continue to monitor you closely. After birth you may need to stay in hospital for several days longer than normal.

You will need to have your blood pressure checked regularly after leaving hospital. To control your blood pressure you may also need to continue taking medication for several weeks.

You should have a follow-up appointment with your GP six to eight weeks after giving birth. If you are still on blood pressure medication at this stage, they may refer you to a specialist for further investigations. They may also refer you if there is still protein in your urine (wee).

Will I get pre-eclampsia in a future pregnancy?

Pre-eclampsia can happen again in a future pregnancy. The likelihood of this depends on how early your baby needed to be born.

• One in three women will get pre-eclampsia in a future pregnancy, if their baby needed to be born between 28 to 34 weeks of pregnancy.

• One in four women will get pre-eclampsia in a future pregnancy, if their baby needed to be born between 34 to 37 weeks of pregnancy.

• One in six women will get pre-eclampsia in a future pregnancy, if their baby is born after 37 weeks.

You should be given information about:

• your individual chance of getting pre-eclampsia in a future pregnancy

• any extra care that you may need

If you have had pre-eclampsia in one pregnancy we advise you to take aspirin tablets (75 to 100 milligrams) from 12 weeks in any future pregnancy. This will reduce the risk of it happening again. Contact your midwife as soon as possible in any future pregnancy to make a plan of care for your pregnancy.

Will having pre-eclampsia affect my future health?

If you have pre-eclampsia you are at more risk of developing high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease in later life. Things you can do to reduce this risk include:

• avoid smoking

• maintain a healthy lifestyle

• maintain a healthy weight

Contact details

If you have any concerns or feel unwell, please call Maternity Triage for advice.

• Maternity Triage
  Telephone: 01227 206737 (available 24 hours every day)

Useful links

• Action on Pre-eclampsia. Are you pregnant? pre-eclampsia know the signs

• Action on Pre-eclampsia. Essential pregnancy information: your guide to understanding pre-eclampsia

• Action on Pre-eclampsia. Postnatal recovery from pre-eclampsia: what to expect and medical management

• East Kent Hospitals. Headaches in pregnancy patient leaflet

• East Kent Hospitals. Low dose aspirin (150mg) in pregnancy patient leaflet

• East Kent Hospitals. Preterm Birth Surveillance Clinic patient leaflet

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). MHRA confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children. Last updated 23 September 2025

• NHS. Breathing exercises for stress

• NHS. Pre-eclampsia

• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Pre-eclampsia

• Stride BP: validated devices for blood pressure measurement in pregnancy / pre-eclampsia

• Tommy's. How to eat well in pregnancy

[Web sites last accessed 28 October 2026]

We have used the term ‘women’ throughout this leaflet. When we use this term we also mean people with female reproductive organs who do not identify as a woman. East Kent Hospitals is committed to supporting people of all gender identities. Please tell your midwife or doctor how you would like them to address you, so we can be sure to get this right.

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