Eclampsia is a medical condition that occurs during pregnancy and can be life-threatening to both mother and fetus. The occurrence of true eclampsia is relatively rare, as most cases are identified and treated in the earlier stages, known as...
Preeclampsia, a serious medical condition that can occur after the 20th week of pregnancy, causes sudden high blood pressure that can be fatal to mother and baby if left untreated. Even though the only true cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the...
Pre-eclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine and fluid retention can lead to some of the potentially deadliest side effects in pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia, also called pregnancy-induced hypertension or...
Healthy pregnant women should get 150 hours of moderate-intensity exercise every week, recommended by the "2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans." Exercise benefits the overall health of pregnant women including cardiorespiratory...
Fish oil is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docoshexaenoic acid, or DHA. These omega-3 fatty acids play a role in brain development, reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure. Since they can't be...
There are many types of seizures. Most of them disturb the brain and cause changes in behavior. There is, however, one type of seizure that generally affects pregnant women and does not disturb the brain, called eclampsia. Eclampsia occurs when...
Magnesium in the form of magnesium sulfate is the most common treatment for severe preeclampsia and eclampsia in the United States. A disorder that develops in the latter part of pregnancy, preeclampsia causes an increase in blood pressure along...
Hypertension, defined as blood pressure of over 140/90, occurs in 5 to 10 percent of pregnancies. There's a difference between chronic hypertension and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), which develops after the 20 week of pregnancy and can...
L-arginine is a chemical building block known as an amino acid. The "L" in the name refers to the left-handed configuration of the molecule. Amino acids form the molecular foundation of proteins. Arginine in particular also has several specific...
Toxemia, more commonly referred to as pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced-hypertension, is a condition that involves a pregnant woman's blood pressure rising, often with no warning or cause. Toxemia can be harmful to the developing fetus because it...
During pregnancy, some liver enzymes are normally elevated as part of the physiologic changes of pregnancy, while others are not. Abnormal liver enzyme elevations occur in 5 percent of pregnancies, according to J. Eileen May in "Mayo Clinic...
During pregnancy, it is important for you and your baby, that you eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Taking vitamins during pregnancy may help you maintain a nutritious environment in which your baby can flourish. Prenatal supplements should be...
Acute renal failure is the sudden loss of the kidneys' ability to process and remove waste products from the blood. Symptoms include a decrease in urine output, swelling of the feet and ankles, elevated blood pressure and difficulty breathing due...
High blood pressure and edema, which is excess fluid in the tissues, is a common complication during and soon after pregnancy. Many changes occur in a woman's body during pregnancy. Changing characteristics of the hormones, heart, blood vessels,...
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are medical conditions that can occur in pregnancy. Though they are sometimes referred to as toxemias, there is no evidence that a toxin is involved in these conditions. Preeclampsia can result in too much protein in the...
While pregnancy is often one of the happiest times in a woman's life, determining which medications and supplements are safe during pregnancy can be difficult. For centuries, herbalists and holistic practitioners have used the oil of the evening...
Pregnant women have to be careful about taking supplements because their bodies may respond differently to different substances. L-arginine has been used in clinical studies to prevent pre-eclampsia and does not appear to cause any health...
Hypertension--better known as high blood pressure--is a condition that may develop before or after conception. While dangerous to anyone, it can cause many complications for expectant mothers, which is why your doctor monitors your blood pressure...
Pregnant and nonpregnant woman may have the same risk factors and side effects from high blood pressure. Gaining weight from pregnancy can increase these risk factors even more and should be taken very seriously. Prenatal care is of the utmost...
The American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) defines toxemia, which is more commonly known as preeclampsia, as a condition characterized by development of maternal high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine after the 20th...
The one, most important thing you can do for your unborn child is provide a safe and nutritious environment for your baby’s growth. Eating a diet that balances all the food groups ensures your baby has all the nutrients it needs to develop...
Epsom salt is otherwise known as the chemical compound magnesium sulfate. It can primarily be found in both aqueous and solid forms. When in the solid form, it takes a white crystalline appearance that can readily be converted to powder. Epsom...
Having chronic hypertension that starts before pregnancy or during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause complications. Chronic hypertension can have harmful effects on a fetus, and it also increases the risk of developing other diseases in...
Hypertension, or blood pressure that is higher than normal, is a common pregnancy complication. There are several types of hypertension in pregnancy. Hypertension can be chronic--occurring before pregnancy or early in pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced...
When you are pregnant, you have to be careful about the substances you ingest, including herbal supplements such as garlic. Even natural supplements can cause problems for either you or your baby. It is not known if garlic supplements are safe...
Even the healthiest woman is susceptible to complications during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a time when the woman's body undergoes tremendous changes in preparation for the 40-week long maturation of fetus and its subsequent delivery. Being aware of...
As pregnancy comes to an end, many women are desperate to get the baby out. Babies are considered full term from 37 weeks of pregnancy on. While it's best to let nature take its course, there are some things that you can do to naturally encourage...
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when a person experience a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. During pregnancy, high blood pressure represents a danger to the mother and baby. Gestational hypertension, the...
Hypothyroidism is the medical term used to describe an abnormally low level of thyroid hormone. Low levels of thyroid hormone result in a slowed-down metabolism and may result in such symptoms as fatigue, weight gain and decreased ability to...
Preeclampsia eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is associated with hypertension. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating preeclampsia eclampsia in this video.