Toxemia is a severe medical condition that affects after 20 weeks of gestational age.
This condition is also known as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).
This condition is the result of sudden raise in blood pressure, hyper reflexia (extremely fast reflex response) and excess amounts of protein in the urine.
About 7% of pregnant women can develop the condition of mild toxemia.
Sometimes, serious toxemia can lead to serious condition called as pre-eclampsia, which again can lead to the condition of eclampsia, which is followed by a severe condition called as HELLP syndrome.
Toxemia begins its development when the placenta starts to develop. There is a high chance of developing this condition in a first-time pregnant woman. The causes of this condition are still unknown.
The most common risks that lead to toxemia include:
- A woman for first-time pregnant
- Having multiple pregnancies
- Teen pregnancy
- Pregnancy above the age of 35
- Having a family history of the disease
- Having kidney disease or high blood pressure before the pregnancy
Mild toxemia leads to water retention, high blood pressure and proteins in the urine.
Severe toxemia leads to fatigue, headaches, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, shortness of breathe, frequent urination, not tolerating bright light, abdominal pain, and tendency to bruise easily.
How to recognize toxemia?
Your health care provider will check your kidneys and blood clotting functions and also ultrasound scan to check your baby’s growth. Also, your blood pressure and urine levels are checked and if necessary your practitioner can order blood tests to confirm whether you have toxemia or not.
Is there any cure for toxemia?
Usually, the treatment is based on how close you are to your pregnancy due date. If you are very nearer to the due date and your baby developed properly, then your health care provider recommends for immediate delivery.
If you have mild toxemia and your baby do not reach to full growth, your practitioner recommends you to do the following:
- Eat less salt diet
- Have frequent prenatal checkups
- Drink lot of water
- Get enough rest, better sleep on your left side so that your baby weight do not fall on your major blood vessels
- Avoid consumption of fried and junk foods
- Don’t drink beverages that contain caffeine
- Follow regular workout program
Is your baby affected with toxemia?
Toxemia prevents the placenta from not receiving enough blood. This leads to the supply of insufficient oxygen and food for your baby thus leading to low birth weight.
If you follow regular prenatal care, then you can deliver a healthy baby.