… anything is wrong when you’re focused on recovering after childbirth and caring for a newborn.
Signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia — which are typically the same as symptoms of preeclampsia — might include:
– High blood pressure (hypertension) — 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater
– Excess protein in your urine (proteinuria)
– Severe headaches
– Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity
– Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
– Decreased urination
So what can we do? How do we stop this?
We need to improve all women’s health – not just pregnant women’s health.
Your doctor may recommend taking baby aspirin (81 milligrams) to prevent preeclampsia during your next pregnancy. Your doctor may also encourage you to have an active lifestyle and to eat a healthy diet.
It’s important to go to all your appointments during pregnancy and ask about changes to your body. What may be normal to some is not normal to others. So even get a second opinion if needed.
Also be mindful of not only medication you may be taking but also ask about any supplements you have as well. Those may be affecting your blood, heart, etc.
It takes a village to raise a child, and now it’s taking a village to keep that child’s mother alive as well.