Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)
Toxaemia of pregnancy, eclampsia (when fits happen)
What it is
High blood pressure that starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often with protein in the urine. It can harm the mother’s kidneys, liver and brain, and slow the baby’s growth. If it causes fits, it is called eclampsia.
Common signs
- Often no signs at first — that is why every antenatal visit checks blood pressure
- Bad headache that does not go away
- Blurred vision or seeing flashing lights
- Pain under the ribs on the right
- Sudden swelling of the face and hands
How it is diagnosed
At antenatal visits the health worker checks your blood pressure and urine. Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher after 20 weeks, with protein in the urine or other warning signs, means pre-eclampsia.
Tests
- Blood pressure reading — checked at every antenatal visit
- Urine dipstick — looks for protein in the urine
- Blood tests for platelets, liver and kidneys — check for damage
- Ultrasound — checks the baby’s growth
How food affects it
Food cannot prevent or treat pre-eclampsia on its own. In many African countries, calcium tablets in pregnancy lower the risk — take them as advised by a health worker. Go to every antenatal visit. Keep taking any medicines you are given.
Food as medicine, alongside your medicine. Food works alongside your medicines, not instead of them. Never stop or change your tablets without talking to your health worker.
Eat often
- Milk, yoghurt, amasi or nono — give calcium
- Small fish eaten with bones (omena, kapenta, dagaa, sardines) — rich in calcium
- Leafy greens (ugu, kontomire, morogo) and beans — iron and folate
- Eggs, fish and chicken — protein for you and the baby
- Fresh fruit like orange, pawpaw and guava
Eat in moderation
- Rice, gari, fufu and yam — normal portions, not too much
- Palm oil — a little
Avoid or cut down
- Alcohol and smoking
- Lots of sugary drinks and fried snacks
- Herbal mixtures unless your health worker agrees
Get help urgently
Go to hospital now if you have a bad headache, blurred vision, pain under the ribs, fits, sudden swelling, or the baby moves less.
General information, not a diagnosis. Always follow the advice of your health worker.