Preeclampsia: the signs your care team wants to hear about

Preeclampsia is a blood pressure condition that can develop in the second half of pregnancy and in the weeks after birth. It is treatable, and catching it early matters — which is why your care team would rather hear from you about something small than not hear from you at all.

Call your care team now if you notice

• A severe headache that does not ease with rest or the pain relief you were told you could take
• Changes in your vision — blurring, flashing lights, spots, or losing part of your vision
• Pain under your ribs on the right side, or in the upper middle of your abdomen
• Sudden swelling of your face, around your eyes, or of your hands
• Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing when lying flat
• Nausea or vomiting that starts suddenly in the second half of pregnancy

Worth mentioning at your next visit

Gradual swelling of your feet and ankles at the end of the day is very common and usually not concerning on its own. Mention it, but it does not need a phone call at midnight.

After the birth too

Preeclampsia can appear for the first time after delivery, usually within the first week but sometimes up to six weeks later. If any of the signs above appear after you go home, contact your care team — do not assume the risk ended with the birth.

You are not overreacting

If you are unsure, call. Care teams would far rather reassure you than miss something.