Congrats on ur twins!
The symptoms of preeclampsia(toxemia) usually begin after the 21st week of pregnancy and include swelling of the feet and face, slight dizziness and light-headedness. Other signs of preeclampsia may include a sudden weight gain of more than two pounds a week, headaches or visual problems.
Why is preeclampsia so dangerous? It can adversely affect both mother and baby. Untreated, it may damage the mother’s kidneys, brain, eyes and liver and may weaken the heart. It may also cause internal bleeding. If the blood pressure rises to a very high level, seizures may result—at this point the condition is called eclampsia—and could be fatal to mother or baby.
If it is not treated, preeclampsia can cause the baby to be smaller than normal, to be delivered prematurely, and, in very severe cases, to be stillborn. Why? Because preeclampsia causes arteries throughout the mother’s body to constrict, decreasing the mother’s blood flow to the placenta and reducing the amount of food and oxygen reaching the baby. As a result, the baby’s growth slows down.
Treatment includes complete bed rest, a low-salt, high-protein diet and medication. In most cases, once treatment begins, symptoms reverse almost immediately and there is rapid recovery.
But, if you only have swelling of the legs, that may just be one of the many joys of pregnancy...Just keep your eyes open for these symptoms....Let me know how things go!
*vanessa*
