{"id":29917,"date":"2026-02-16T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T08:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=29917"},"modified":"2026-02-16T11:16:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T11:16:40","slug":"understanding-postpartum-eclampsia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/postpartum\/understanding-postpartum-eclampsia\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding postpartum eclampsia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among the possible postpartum complications, postpartum eclampsia holds a particular place due to its potential severity. What are preeclampsia and postpartum eclampsia? What are the risk factors? What are the complications?<\/span>
\nPostpartum eclampsia<\/strong>: here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are preeclampsia and postpartum eclampsia?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Preeclampsia and postpartum eclampsia are complications related to high blood pressure during and after pregnancy. Here are their symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Preeclampsia<\/b><\/h3>\n

Preeclampsia<\/strong> is a pregnancy-related condition because it results from an abnormality in placental implantation<\/strong>. It is characterized by high blood pressure<\/strong> associated with dysfunction of certain organs <\/span>after 20 weeks of amenorrhea (WA)<\/span>. The diagnosis of preeclampsia is made<\/span> by a doctor or midwife<\/span> based on data from blood tests and a urine test <\/strong><\/span>(to check for proteinuria, meaning the presence of protein in the urine)<\/span>. It most often occurs toward the end of pregnancy. <\/span>The goal is to detect the condition early in order to limit any maternal or fetal complications.<\/span><\/p>\n

In France, according to the national health insurance system, preeclampsia affects about 2% of pregnancies and is observed in 70% of cases during a first pregnancy. Among these cases, nearly 10% progress to a severe form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Postpartum eclampsia<\/b>
\nUntreated preeclampsia can lead to several complications, including the development of eclampsia. Although rare, when it occurs after childbirth, it is referred to as postpartum eclampsia. <\/span>This condition can develop up to 6 weeks after delivery.<\/strong><\/span>
\nEclampsia is characterized by generalized seizures that affect the mother\u2019s brain in the context of pregnancy-related hypertension. This explains the constant monitoring of blood pressure in the days following childbirth, especially during the first 72 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of postpartum eclampsia and preeclampsia<\/b><\/h3>\n

The mechanisms of <\/span>postpartum preeclampsia <\/span>are still not well understood <\/span>since it is a condition linked to the placenta, which normally disappears after childbirth<\/strong> when it is delivered. <\/span>Beyond high blood pressure, the most common symptoms of preeclampsia are:<\/span><\/p>\n