Headaches, high blood pressure, dizziness and abdominal pain are the most common symptoms of pre-eclampsia and health experts are advising pregnant women experiencing these telltale symptoms to promptly seek medical attention to manage the comdition. At an event to mark World pre-eclampsia day at the Shai-Osudoku District Hospital at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, the medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Kennedy Brightson, said most pregnant women report late with the condition to health facilities when they are already in the eclampsia stage where the mother and her unborn child can succumb.
Pre-eclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy. The condition means high blood pressure, protein in their urine, swelling, headache and blurred vision. The condition which complicates up to eight percent of all deliveries worldwide develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. It can also affect other organs in the body and be dangerous for both the mother and her developing fetus. Pre-eclampsia typically goes away after the baby is delivered. In commemorating World pre-eclampsia day at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region health experts raised the alarm over women with the condition who seek alternative care instead of medical care.
On her part the Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. Akosua Owusu-Sarpong advised women to seek antenatal care when they are pregnant because examinations carried on them will help identify whether they have the condition.
The 2024 World pre-eclampsia day had the theme Predict, Prevent, Prevail.
