What Does Preeclampsia Feel Like?
Key takeaways:
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy-related condition characterized by high blood pressure.
Common symptoms include a headache, liver pain, vision changes, and swelling.
Preeclampsia can happen in the postpartum period, as well.
Pregnancy can come with a lot of unexpected symptoms, from strange cravings to unexplained aches and pains. For most women, it’s just part of the process and nothing to be worried about.
But some symptoms — like a headache that won’t go away, pain in the upper abdomen, vision changes, or sudden extreme swelling — can be a sign of something much more dangerous.
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy-related condition. High blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine are the most common signs. It poses significant health risks for the mother and the baby.
Here’s how three women describe what it’s like to have it.
An incurable headache
Tamia Branch was aware of some of the most common signs of preeclampsia, like swelling in the face or hands. When she started experiencing unexpected swelling while she was 6 months pregnant, she didn’t overlook it.
“I noticed that my hand was swollen. It was a little tight,” says Tamia, who’s 22 and lives in Savannah, Georgia. “And I happened to go check my blood pressure.”
Tamia’s at-home monitor indicated an elevated blood pressure well above her normal range. Concerned, she headed to the emergency room at her local hospital.
She was diagnosed with preeclampsia and hospitalized at 25 weeks pregnant.
It’s not uncommon for women to experience pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, also known as gestational hypertension. It’s a complication in 6% to 10% of pregnancies. Sustained high blood pressure, however, is risky for both the mother and the baby.
Preeclampsia can cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks, or organ damage for the mother. It also can affect the baby’s health and growth.
Tamia spent the rest of her pregnancy in the hospital. She delivered her daughter at 30 weeks.
The exact cause of preeclampsia isn’t known, but experts say it may be linked to a problem with the placenta. There are ways to manage symptoms, but the only cure is delivery.
“My worst symptom was the headaches,” Tamia says. “I don't even know how to explain it; they just were extremely painful.”
She took prescription pain relievers, but the pain only continued to worsen.
“As I got closer to when I was about to deliver, the headache medicine wasn't really working anymore,” she says.
Tamia’s daughter spent 56 days in the neonatal intensive care unit after being born and is now doing well.
‘You can’t misinterpret what the pain is’
Katie Marcelli, a 34-year-old mom in Colorado Springs, Colorado, had never heard of preeclampsia until she was diagnosed with it while pregnant with her now almost 2-year-old son.
“I went through everything I could have possibly gone through with it, to where I'm not allowed to have kids anymore,” she says. “I almost died with him.”
During a regular appointment with her obstetrician at 24 weeks pregnant, Katie’s doctor noticed that her blood pressure was elevated. There was protein in her urine.
She spent the next few weeks monitoring her blood pressure at home. She had frequent doctor visits and hospital visits, and started blood pressure medication.
One night, at about 28 weeks pregnant, Katie knew something was seriously wrong. She was extremely uncomfortable and couldn’t fall asleep.
“I just felt crampy. Not in my uterus, but my body was getting these weird cramps,” she says.
Katie went downstairs and tried to settle in a chair in the hopes of falling asleep. She began feeling worse and developed a “very sharp and blunt” pain in her liver.
“It’s not just a front pain. It’s an entire half wrap [around your side]. It’s about the width of a man’s belt from under your right breast all the way to your back. It is horrific,” she says.
“You know if someone jabs you in the back with their thumb and they’re like ‘kidney shot!’ right in the kidney? It's kind of like that, but really awful.”
Her doctor had warned her about liver pain as a symptom, but Katie didn’t realize how distinctive it would be.
“You can’t misinterpret what the pain is,” she says. “I was almost in tears.”
She went to the emergency room and was admitted to hospital, where she remained for the rest of her pregnancy until her son was born at just under 31 weeks.
Postpartum preeclampsia
Preeclampsia occurs in about 1 in 25 pregnancies in the U.S., according to the CDC. It usually appears during the second or third trimester, but it can sometimes develop after delivery. That is, anywhere between 48 hours to 6 weeks later.
In those cases, it’s known as postpartum preeclampsia.
Jaime Owens, a 35-year-old respiratory therapist with three children, developed postpartum preeclampsia a few days after the birth of her youngest child.
“I really can't say I had a ton of symptoms — and that, in my opinion, is the scariest part of postpartum preeclampsia,” Jaime says.
“I had a little bit of a headache. It was really dull but I didn't think anything of it … My vision was a little funky. But, again, nothing was sticking out to me.”
Her care team noticed that her blood pressure was high during a routine checkup a few days after her son’s birth. They did blood work, which confirmed postpartum preeclampsia. Jaime spent the following week in and out of the hospital for continuous monitoring and was administered a magnesium sulfate drip to reduce the chances of having a seizure.
Jaime knows how easy it could be to miss catching postpartum preeclampsia and is now passionate about helping raise awareness.
“The postpartum part is scary because people just don't know,” she says.
“When you have it during pregnancy, it's really dangerous as well. But at least you're going to the doctor every week or two.”
Besides raising awareness about postpartum preeclampsia, Jaime says she hopes more women will know to check their blood pressure after delivery. Seeking emergency medical attention if in doubt is critical.
“You’re exhausted when you bring your baby home. You're going to feel funny, but maybe take your blood pressure,” she says. “And it’s important for patients to advocate for themselves.”
What does the doctor say?
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Medical Editor
When you’re pregnant, things start to change really fast. It can be hard to know which of those changes are just “normal” for pregnancy and which are a sign of something more concerning.
Many times, the early symptoms of preeclampsia can easily pass as just normal pregnancy changes. After all, who doesn’t have a headache or feel bloated once in a while during pregnancy? And that’s if you have any symptoms at all. Most people with preeclampsia don’t have any early symptoms.
That’s why healthcare providers closely watch everyone for preeclampsia during pregnancy. If you’ve ever sat through a prenatal appointment wondering why they have to check your blood pressure and ask for a urine sample every time — the answer is preeclampsia. Regardless of what kind of prenatal care and birth experience you decide to have, make sure that you’re having your blood pressure and urine checked at every visit. Those checks can save your life.
Your blood pressure may be a little bit higher than your normal blood pressure during your pregnancy. But too high is never normal. Make a note of your blood pressure at every prenatal visit and consider checking it at home, too.
If you develop symptoms of preeclampsia — like headaches, swelling, right-sided stomach pain, or vision changes — call your provider right away or head to the emergency room.
And like the last story shows, don’t stop looking for these signs after you give birth. Preeclampsia can happen during the fourth trimester. It might be harder to spot these symptoms after you give birth because you’re so tired. But don’t stop listening to your body. Remember, your postpartum check can be 6 weeks after giving birth and experts warn that’s too late.
Some experts recommend that everyone check their blood pressure at home during their fourth trimester. You can buy a home blood pressure monitor at a local pharmacy. If cost is a barrier, the Preeclampsia Foundation offers free and low-cost blood pressure monitors. If you’re pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about how to use your monitor and watch for signs of postpartum preeclampsia.
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