Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)

Very high blood pressure (greater than 170/110mmHg)

Often accompanied by headaches and the appearance of flashing lights before the eyes. Measuring a woman's blood pressure is an essential part of any antenatal clinic visit.

Protein in the urine

This is detected by your doctor or midwife by using a special stick to dip into a clean sample of urine. There are other causes of proteinuria but pre-eclampsia is the cause with most significance for the mother and foetus.

Sudden or insidious weight gain with swollen hands, feet , face or other parts of the body

Some swelling is normal in pregnancy but it should prompt a woman to have her blood pressure and urine checked.

Pain in the right upper abdomen

May indicate involvement of the liver, which in severe cases can be complicated by an imbalance of the coagulation system that causes an increased or decreased ability of the blood to clot.

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