Preeclampsia Warning Signs Every Pregnant Woman Should Know
Why I teach this to every mother
I practised as a midwife in Ghana — and I had preeclampsia myself. My pregnancy became dangerous, with bleeding, and my son Raphael had to be born two months early at 800 grams. You can read our story here. It's why I say this so plainly: preeclampsia rarely announces itself dramatically at first. It whispers. The tragedy is how often the whisper is mistaken for ordinary pregnancy discomfort.
The warning signs — and how they disguise themselves
- A headache that won't lift. Disguised as: "just a headache." A preeclampsia headache is severe or persistent and doesn't ease with rest and ordinary pain relief.
- Vision changes. Blurring, flashing lights, spots, or sensitivity to light. Disguised as: tired eyes.
- Sudden swelling. Some ankle swelling is normal in pregnancy. Swelling that comes on suddenly — face, eyes, hands, rings tight within days — is different.
- Pain under the right ribs / upper belly. This can be the liver struggling. Disguised as: heartburn or the baby "pushing up."
- Sudden weight gain over a day or two — fluid, not fat.
- Your baby moving less. Always, always report reduced movements the same day.
- Feeling generally unwell — nausea or vomiting returning later in pregnancy, breathlessness, a sense that something is wrong. Mothers are often right. Be heard.
Act the same day — do not wait until morning
If you have a severe headache, vision changes, sudden facial/hand swelling, upper-belly pain, or your baby is moving less: call your midwife, doctor, or maternity unit now, or go to hospital. Preeclampsia can worsen within hours to days. The only cure is delivering the baby — everything else is buying time safely, which is why early detection changes endings.
Who is more at risk?
First pregnancies, mothers over 35 or under 20, twins or more, pre-existing high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabetes, obesity, a family or personal history of preeclampsia, and pregnancies from fertility treatment. Higher risk doesn't mean it will happen — it means your team should watch you more closely, and so should you.
What happens at the hospital
Expect your blood pressure to be measured repeatedly, a urine test for protein, blood tests, and monitoring of your baby. If preeclampsia is confirmed, treatment may include blood-pressure medicine, close monitoring, steroids for the baby's lungs if birth may come early, and a planned delivery at the safest time. Being admitted is not an overreaction — it's the system protecting two lives.
Common questions
Can preeclampsia happen after birth?
Yes — it can begin in the first days (occasionally up to 6 weeks) after delivery. The same warning signs after birth still mean same-day help.
My blood pressure was fine at my last appointment. Am I safe?
Preeclampsia can develop quickly between appointments — which is exactly why knowing the symptoms matters more than any single reading.
Can anything prevent it?
For women at higher risk, low-dose aspirin from early pregnancy is often recommended — ask your provider if it applies to you. Attend every appointment, and report symptoms early. No supplement replaces monitoring.
Diabetes in Pregnancy: Everything You Need to Know
The second safety lesson: diabetes in pregnancy — screening, food, monitoring, and birth.