Preeclampsia Foundation

09/27/2025

✨Share YOUR story with us ✨

Your story matters. If you would like to share your story with us you can here: www.preeclampsia.org/our-stories

09/27/2025

For today's we are sharing Stephanie's story with

Stephanie writes, "When I arrived to the hospital for elective induction, my blood pressure was mildly elevated and normalized to baseline immediately after delivery. I thought nothing of it. On postpartum day 3 and my expected day of discharge, my blood pressure began to rise. Much to my dismay, I was kept in the hospital one more night to monitor the trend.

In the middle of that night, my blood pressure spiked with systolic blood pressures in the 170s. Based on my severe range blood pressures and renal function labwork, I officially had postpartum preeclampsia with severe features. The team scrambled to re-establish IV access in the middle of the night to control my blood pressure and I received IR nifedipine in the meantime. I was ultimately escalated to a higher level of care to receive continuous infusion IV magnesium and hourly neuro assessments due to my high risk of stroke and seizure at that point [. . .] After spending just over a week in the hospital, I was discharged home on multiple blood pressure medications. At 8 weeks postpartum, my blood pressure had officially returned to normal off all medications and my labwork had normalized.

I would be remiss not to mention the mental toll of postpartum preeclampsia. I was already recovering mentally and physically from a long induction and traumatic delivery involving an emergency C section and postpartum hemorrhage, so this obstacle of postpartum preeclampsia was the icing on the cake. I was in denial with every blood pressure reading and had no idea how or why it happened. I felt completely alone and that I must have done something wrong. As I had no obvious symptoms apart from “silent” symptoms of elevated blood pressure and lab evidence, I was in constant fear. [. . .] My early postpartum period was full of follow-up appointments, blood pressure logs, phone calls with doctors, medication titrations, and lab work. With all of my own postpartum complications, I could not devote the amount of time and attention I had wanted to give to my baby at that phase. This was certainly not the welcome to motherhood I had envisioned and I was robbed of the experience I longed for with my baby.

While I wish I never had to experience this, I realize how lucky I am that this occurred after the delivery of my baby, as this is not the case for many women who experience preeclampsia. I am thankful I was still in the hospital, as I likely would not have known I had developed preeclampsia until it was too late if I were at home. I am grateful for the support of my husband, parents, and family who got me through and the attentive team of providers who quickly diagnosed and treated me, monitored closely, and helped me become a postpartum preeclampsia survivor.

For those who are struggling through or have endured postpartum preeclampsia, I hope my story helps you find peace knowing you are not completely alone. I hope my story brings awareness that preeclampsia is still a risk after delivery, even in healthy women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. I never knew preeclampsia could occur postpartum until it happened to me."

Read more: https://www.preeclampsia.org/our-stories/i-never-knew-preeclampsia-could-occur-postpartum-until-it-happened-to-me

09/26/2025

For many members of the , and community, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a life-changing part of their and birth experience. Parents from this community may have a baby in the simply due to the challenges of premature birth due to preeclampsia, or even related to near-term complications caused by the failures of the placenta to help their babies to grow and thrive.

It can be hard for friends and family to know how to support best. Read our support article to learn ways to support

Read the NICU support article here: https://www.preeclampsia.org/the-news/community-support/10-ways-to-show-up-for-the-preeclampsia-nicu-parent..

09/26/2025

The Preeclampsia Registry brings together preeclampsia patients, family members, and researchers to find answers to better prevent, treat, and one day, cure preeclampsia.

The registry is a "living database" which means that it continues to grow and evolve as more patients participate and new research studies are launched.

Already a part of the registry? Return to the Registry once a year to provide a health update, and you are helping researchers to better understand the impact of preeclampsia several years after pregnancy.

Join or update today: https://www.preeclampsia.org/registry

09/26/2025

If you had to describe your preeclampsia, eclampsia or HELLP Syndrome experience in one word: What would it be? Tell us in the comments!

09/25/2025

Why would my doctor put me on magnesium sulfate for or ?

Magnesium sulfate (given intravenously) is the treatment of choice for severe preeclampsia to prevent eclampsia, or after eclampsia develops, to prevent more seizures. Magnesium treatment is generally continued for 24-48 hours after the last seizure or beyond delivery. You may receive magnesium sulfate in an intensive care unit or a labor and delivery unit. While magnesium is given you will be observed closely, receive intravenous fluids, and may have a catheter placed in your bladder to measure urine output.

Magnesium sulfate can be used by a skilled healthcare provider with appropriate support facilities. Overdoses can occur and lead to harm to your kidneys, so you should be closely monitored.

Side effects of magnesium sulfate may include drowsiness, redness, flushing or overheating, muscle fatigue or weakness, dizziness, and trouble concentrating. Symptoms typically go away shortly after the medication is stopped. Its use can be VERY unpleasant and uncomfortable, but your provider has likely included it in your treatment to prevent a worse outcome - seizures.

Magnesium sulfate has often been compared to Epsom salts, but ingesting Epsom salts and/or magnesium vitamin supplements have not been shown to prevent maternal death due to eclamptic seizures. Magnesium levels achieved with oral therapy are not sufficient to prevent seizures. The medication should be through an IV.

Learn more: www.preeclampsia.org/faqs

09/25/2025

Thank you, Society for Women's Health Research, for this guide and for including us as a resource

MoMMA's Voices

Want to get involved in women’s health research advocacy but don’t know where to start? Check out SWHR’s new resource, “From Awareness to Action: A Guide to Women’s Health Advocacy.”

Inside, you'll find:
> Planning and email templates
> Tips for engaging with your member of Congress and strengthening your message
> Key facts on women’s health to support your advocacy

Learn more: https://swhr.org/resources/from-awareness-to-action-a-guide-to-womens-health-advocacy/

09/25/2025

"I want another pregnancy after experiencing preeclampsia. What should I talk to my doctor about?"

It is important (when situations allow) to speak to your provider at a preconception appointment before getting pregnant again. Some topics that may be helpful to speak to your doctor may include:

-Previous pregnancy history (including preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, eclampsia)
-Medical history
-Current medical issues
-Medications
-Any concerns about the next pregnancy

You should be able to trust your doctor, and you both recognize that together you bring the whole truth-you about your body and he/she about high-risk pregnancies.

To those who have gotten a preconception visit, what advice would you give? Tell us in the comments.

We have an excellent support article about pregnancy after preeclampsia here: https://www.preeclampsia.org/the-news/community-support/after-preeclampsia-another-pregnancy-or-not

09/24/2025

can cause your blood pressure to rise and put you at risk of brain injury. It can impair kidney and liver function, and cause blood clotting problems, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), seizures.

Preeclampsia, in severe forms or left untreated, can cause or

Preeclampsia affects the blood flow to the placenta, often leading to smaller (such as intrauterine growth restriction) or prematurely born babies.

Learn more: www.preeclampsia.org/faqs

09/24/2025

You aren't the only one if you are feeling or have felt anxious, depressed, or frustrated about your experience.

Read our support article about mental health, prematurity, and the NICU stay here: https://www.preeclampsia.org/the-news/community-support/premature-birth-creates-emotional-challenges

09/23/2025

➡️Please go to www.house.gov and in the upper right-hand corner, type in your zip code to determine if you live in a Republican congressional district or a Democratic congressional district. If your member is a Republican, please contact their office and ask to speak to the Health Legislative Assistant. You can also ask for the Health Legislative Assistant’s name (and its spelling) and send the following email to their office using the email address format of [first name].[last name].house.gov:

Sample Email

Dear [Rep. [name of Representative]:

I’m writing as your constituent, deeply concerned by the steady annual rate of severe maternal morbidity and mortality from preeclampsia and other hypertensive conditions of pregnancy. I ask you to cosponsor H.R. 1909 the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act, led by Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA).

This legislation re-authorizes important programs that support states in investigating maternal deaths, identifying what went wrong, and implementing evidence-based solutions to prevent future tragedies. The bill supports state efforts to develop maternal mortality review committees and improve data collection to better understand and address this crisis.

I hope you will join as a co-sponsor to ensure House leadership understands they must advance and pass this life-saving legislation. Your support would demonstrate to your colleagues that maternal health and well-being is a priority and that we must protect mothers and prevent needless deaths.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing about your support for this critical legislation.

[your name/address]

Let us know in the comments if you contacted your representative! ⬇️⬇️

09/23/2025

Check out the Society for Women's Health Research webinar happening next week to learn how new innovations in preeclampsia diagnosis can improve individualized care. Save your spot today: https://swhr.org/event/applying-pressure-to-diagnose-preeclampsia-better-and-earlier/