The silent pregnancy complication that still affects many women

 Antenatal care plays a key role in the early detection and prevention of preeclampsia during pregnancy. [iStock]

Beatrice, a mother of three, faced the life-threatening condition of preeclampsia during her third pregnancy, which forced her into an emergency C-section at just 32 weeks.

“My third pregnancy was a very difficult one. It was a twin pregnancy, which saw me undergo a caesarean section, unlike my previous two pregnancies, where I gave birth naturally,” says Beatrice, who works as a Sales Executive.

“At around 13 weeks, I lost one of the twins, twin B. The heartbeat just stopped. I was being monitored by a team of doctors at Coptic Hospital, where I used to go for clinic appointments. Having lost one twin in utero, I was one of the patients the doctors paid close attention to. It got to a point where I started having issues with my blood pressure. It was a bit elevated, hence we started managing that,” she explains.

From that point, Beatrice was put on several medications, which she took throughout the pregnancy.

She says: “I was on medication to protect the living twin from the one that passed away and also on blood pressure medication. The doctors had it under control. I also had to watch my diet and heed the doctor’s advice on what to eat and what not to eat. Moving around also helped a lot.”

According to Beatrice, she had heard of preeclampsia before and had a rough idea about it.

“There was a story some time back about Dan Sonko and how his wife passed away during childbirth. I came to find out that she passed away due to preeclampsia, hence I had a clue about what it entailed,” she says.

Her son was born at 32 weeks.

“During that time, I was self-employed and running my business. So, on this particular day, I came back home and started feeling unwell, like I was going into labour. I went to hospital. Every time I went to hospital, my file had instructions. I was only seeing one doctor and, in case he was away, they would call him.

“My doctor was called that night and he came. He checked my blood pressure and was in shock. He told me that I was suffering from preeclampsia because my blood pressure was elevated. It was above 200. I got some injections and they had to ensure that the blood pressure stabilised before they took the baby out,” explains Beatrice.

The doctor made it clear to her that they could not keep the baby in for longer, hence she had to go for an emergency C-section.

“My baby was born and we stayed in the hospital for a while. But I thank God he turned out okay. He is now 7 years old and has grown into a healthy and bubbly boy,” she says.

Her advice to expectant mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia is to observe precautionary measures and work very closely with their doctor while adhering to everything recommended.

“Always know that the doctors have your best interests at heart, hence it’s important to follow every instruction,” Beatrice says.

Roselynne Wambui Muthigo’s journey was equally harrowing. She, too, developed preeclampsia, experiencing severe complications that threatened both her health and that of her unborn child.

Five years ago, Roselynne, a teacher by profession, suffered a miscarriage that left her heartbroken.

With her firstborn child doing well in secondary school, she felt it was the right time to try for another baby so that her son could have a sibling.

She conceived in March 2024 and looked forward to a healthy pregnancy.

“I started my prenatal clinics at 10 weeks and went through the regular check-ups. All seemed normal,” she says.

At around 28 weeks, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia during her regular prenatal clinic. Her blood pressure levels were high and, after taking a lab test, there were also traces of protein.

Roselynne says: “I was advised to attend high-risk pregnancy clinics, which I did religiously. The gynaecologist prescribed some hypertensive drugs and I kept monitoring my blood pressure levels from home since I had purchased the gadget. I also took sick leave from work because my body was swollen, especially my legs, and this hindered my movement.”

At around 36 weeks, her gynaecologist, Dr Chiuri, advised that the baby needed to be delivered.

“The baby came out safe and sound at 2.7kg, something that I am always grateful for. He is now 1 year and 3 months old, very healthy and strong. He is my biggest miracle,” she says.

Like Beatrice, Roselynne credits vigilant medical care and strict adherence to her doctors’ advice for ensuring a safe delivery.

“To any expectant mother diagnosed with the condition, heed your doctor’s advice. Take hypertensive drugs as prescribed and remain active if possible. Monitor your blood pressure levels from home and visit the hospital regularly for high-risk pregnancy clinics. I attended my clinics weekly,” she explains.

Their stories, while deeply personal, are a stark reminder that preeclampsia, a condition characterised by high blood pressure during pregnancy, can strike any mother, regardless of previous pregnancies or perceived health.

As World Preeclampsia Day is marked, medical experts say awareness, early detection and timely intervention are crucial because, in the battle against this “silent killer”, knowledge can be life-saving.

The theme for this year’s awareness campaign, ‘Know Her Symptoms’, is also being framed as a call for families and communities to listen to women when they report unusual symptoms during pregnancy.

Understanding the signs, risk factors and preventative measures can save lives, both of mothers and their babies.

Dr Wachira Murage, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Savannah Hospital, describes preeclampsia as pregnancy-induced hypertension that occurs from 20 weeks of pregnancy to six weeks postpartum.

“Preeclampsia is often insidious in onset, meaning it develops gradually and mimics other diseases. One symptom that is most ignored is generalised body swelling, especially of the face, hands and legs, hence it should never be dismissed without medical assessment,” says Murage.

Many expectant women may initially ignore the warning signs because symptoms such as swelling, headaches or fatigue can appear common during pregnancy.

According to the specialist, women who are at a higher risk of developing the condition include first-time mothers, teenage mothers, women with a history of  preeclampsia in previous pregnancies and mothers above the age of 35.

“The risk is also significantly higher among women living with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as those who are obese,” he says.

To reduce complications, Dr Murage emphasises the importance of close monitoring of the mother.

He says: “The main goal is to control blood pressure while preventing damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, brain, heart and lungs. Continuous medical assessment is critical because the condition can worsen rapidly and become life-threatening.”

For the unborn baby, foetal surveillance is equally important.

Healthcare providers should closely monitor foetal movements using kick charts and regularly perform ultrasound scans to assess the baby’s growth and wellbeing.

“To prevent the condition, it is important for expectant women to begin antenatal clinic visits early in pregnancy so that risk factors can be identified in time. Other measures such as the use of aspirin and calcium supplements, when prescribed by a doctor, may help lower the risk among vulnerable mothers. Maintaining a good BMI (Body Mass Index) before and during pregnancy also plays an important role in reducing the likelihood of developing preeclampsia,” explains Murage.

Health advocates say many women are often told they are exaggerating pain or being anxious, but such dismissals can prove deadly.