1. Measure Blood Pressure
Preeclampsia, sometimes known as toxemia during pregnancy, is a complication characterized primarily by the onset of high blood pressure. At every prenatal visit, a doctor will measure a pregnant woman's blood pressure. A reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater may arouse concern. In this case, the doctor will likely repeat the blood pressure measurement several hours later. If the blood pressure is high again, the doctor may suspect preeclampsia. However, a woman does not have to have a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg to have preeclampsia. If the pregnant woman's diastolic number (the lower number) of the blood pressure reading rises by 15 mm Hg over her normal reading or if the systolic number (the upper number) of the blood pressure reading rises by 30 mm Hg over her normal reading, a doctor may still suspect preeclampsia.
2. Look for Protein in the Urine
Protein in the urine, also known as proteinuria, is another aspect of the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Doctors will test a pregnant woman's urine for protein at every prenatal doctor visit using a dipstick test. No protein in the urine or a trace of protein in the urine are normal results. However, a result of 1+, 2+ or greater signifies a considerable amount of protein. If protein spills into a pregnant woman's urine, a doctor can suspect preeclampsia, especially if the woman also has high blood pressure. A doctor may order a more detailed 24-hour urine collection to test for proteinuria.
3. Check for Signs of Edema
Edema, or swelling of the body due to accumulation of extra fluids, is another symptom of preeclampsia that is used in diagnosis. A pregnant woman should tell her doctor if her face, hands or other body parts appear swollen. A way to test for edema is to press a finger or a thumb into the skin to see if the skin "bounces back." If the indentation in the skin remains for a few seconds or more, the woman may have edema. Some swelling during pregnancy is normal. However, severe swelling, especially when noted along with other symptoms of preeclampsia, can indicate preeclampsia.
4. Watch That Weight Gain
Women with preeclampsia tend to experience rapid weight gain. A doctor or nurse will weigh a pregnant woman during each office visit. Rapid weight gain (more than 6 pounds in a single month or more than 2 pounds in a single week) is not definitive of preeclampsia. However, when combined with other symptoms, such as high blood pressure, a doctor can suspect preeclampsia.
