What is pre-eclampsia?

January 17, 2026

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that can happen during pregnancy. It affects how blood flows around the body and can involve several organs.

Important things to know:

Many women feel well at first and may not notice symptoms early on
Pre-eclampsia affects the blood vessels, which can reduce blood supply to important organs.

Which parts of the body can be affected?

Kidneys
Liver
Heart and blood vessels
Brain
Blood clotting system

Common signs doctors look for:

High blood pressure
Protein in the urine
Swelling (oedema)

These signs are common, but they are not always present, so pre-eclampsia can still exist without them.

Symptoms you might notice:

Headaches that don’t go away
Blurred vision or flashing lights
Pain under the ribs on the right side or in the upper tummy
Nausea or vomiting
Sudden or rapidly increasing swelling (especially face, hands, or feet)

Why monitoring is important:

Pre-eclampsia can be mild or severe
It can start suddenly or develop slowly
Symptoms can appear in different orders for different women

Regular antenatal check-ups help doctors detect and manage pre-eclampsia early, even before symptoms appear.

Maternal Risks

If not well controlled, pre-eclampsia can lead to:

Stroke or brain bleeding
Failure of several organs
Breathing problems

These are the most serious risks to the mother.

Fetal Risks

Pre-eclampsia can affect the placenta, which may lead to:

Poor growth of the baby
Placental separation (abruption)
In very severe cases, loss of the baby before birth

Key Message

Pre-eclampsia is a serious but treatable condition, especially when identified early. Regular check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, and prompt treatment greatly reduce risks for both mother and baby.