What is Preeclampsia? Symptoms, Causes, Risks & Treatment in Pregnancy

Medically Reviewed

By Dr. Puneet Rana Arora : Founder & Director, CIFAR — Centre for Infertility & Assisted Reproduction, Gurugram FRCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, UK) | MSc Reproduction & Development, University of Bristol, UK

Last Review Date : 14 August, 2026

Understanding Preeclampsia: What Every Expecting Mother Should Know

Pregnancy brings a mix of excitement and vigilance — and one condition every mother-to-be (and every fertility patient) should understand is preeclampsia. “We see a lot of patients at CIFAR who have worked so hard for their pregnancy through fertility treatment, so that makes protecting that pregnancy even more important.” Here’s a simple, practical guide to what preeclampsia is, why it matters, and how it’s managed.

What Is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure (hypertension) that typically develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, often along with signs of damage to other organ systems — most commonly the kidneys and liver. It can also occur, less commonly, in the days and weeks after delivery (postpartum preeclampsia).

If untreated, preeclampsia can affect blood flow to the placenta, restrict the growth of the baby and in severe cases, be life-threatening to mother and baby. The good news is that most women with pre-eclampsia have healthy outcomes when it is picked up early and managed well.

Common Symptoms

Preeclampsia doesn’t always announce itself clearly, which is why routine antenatal check-ups matter so much. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Persistent high blood pressure readings
• Protein in the urine (detected through routine testing)
• Sudden swelling of the hands, feet, or face
• Severe or persistent headaches
• Vision changes — blurring, flashing lights, or light sensitivity
• Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
• Nausea or vomiting appearing later in pregnancy
• Sudden weight gain over a short period
• Shortness of breath

Some women feel none of these and only find out through a routine blood pressure or urine check — another reason regular prenatal visits are non-negotiable.

Who Is More at Risk?

Certain factors raise the likelihood of developing preeclampsia:

• First-time pregnancy
• History of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
• Pregnancy through IVF or other assisted reproductive techniques
• Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
• Pre-existing high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, or autoimmune conditions
• Obesity
• Maternal age under 20 or over 35
• Family history of preeclampsia

This is particularly relevant for patients who conceive through IVF, as research has shown a somewhat higher association between assisted reproduction and preeclampsia risk — one of the many reasons fertility specialists monitor these pregnancies closely from the very start.

Diagnosis and Monitoring

Preeclampsia is usually identified through:

• Blood pressure monitoring at every antenatal visit
• Urine tests to check for protein
• Blood tests to assess kidney and liver function, and platelet counts
• Ultrasound and Doppler studies to monitor the baby’s growth and blood flow
• Increasingly, angiogenic biomarker blood tests that can help predict risk earlier in pregnancy

If you conceived through fertility treatment, your clinic and obstetric team will likely coordinate closely to ensure these checks happen on schedule, given the slightly elevated risk profile.

Preeclampsia Treatment in Pregnancy at CIFAR 

How Is It Managed?

Treatment depends on how far along the pregnancy is and how severe the condition is:

• Close monitoring — more frequent check-ups, blood pressure tracking, and fetal monitoring for mild cases.
• Medication to control blood pressure and, in some cases, medication to prevent seizures (a complication called eclampsia).
• Corticosteroids to help the baby’s lungs mature faster if early delivery becomes necessary.
• Timed delivery — in more severe cases, delivering the baby (even preterm) is the only definitive way to resolve preeclampsia, and doctors weigh this carefully against the risks of prematurity.

There is no single way to “cure” preeclampsia while pregnancy continues — management is about controlling symptoms and choosing the safest time to deliver.

Can It Be Prevented?

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent preeclampsia, certain steps can lower risk, especially for women identified as higher-risk early in pregnancy:

• Low-dose aspirin, started early in pregnancy, when recommended by your doctor
• Adequate calcium intake where dietary levels are low
• Maintaining a healthy weight before conception
• Managing pre-existing blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney conditions before and during pregnancy
• Attending every scheduled antenatal appointment, even when you feel perfectly well

A Patient Perspective, From Dr. Puneet Rana Arora

For many of my patients, the pregnancy they are carrying didn’t come easily — so the word “preeclampsia” can feel especially frightening. What I try to help patients understand is that a preeclampsia diagnosis is not a failure of their body, and it doesn’t mean they did anything wrong. It’s a condition we are actively watching for, precisely so that we can catch it early and act on it calmly, rather than being caught off guard.

My advice to patients is simple: don’t skip your check-ups, even the ones that feel routine, and don’t hesitate to call your clinic if something feels “off” — a headache that won’t go away, sudden swelling, or a change in your vision. You know your body better than anyone. Trust that instinct, and let us do the worrying about blood pressure numbers and lab values. My job is to make sure that by the time we need to make a decision about your care, we already have the information we need to make it a safe one — for you and for your baby.

Book an Appointment at CIFAR : Contact us today at helpdesk@cifarivf.com or Call us at +91 9958009305 WhatsApp at  8826539305 for questions related to CIFAR

This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. If you are pregnant and experience symptoms of preeclampsia, contact your doctor or clinic immediately.