Eclampsia is the after-stage of pre-eclampsia; it is the occurrence of epileptiform convulsion in pregnant women who already have pre-eclampsia.

This usually happens during or after the 20th week of gestation, or in the postpartum period. Pre-eclampsia is a clear pointer that Eclampsia is going to occur if nothing is done. However, Eclampsia can occur in the absence of hypertension and proteinuria. That is, it can occur during antenatal, labor and between one and six weeks after delivery.

Eclampsia is a killer of pregnant women. Eclampsia, when occurred makes the pregnant woman have clinic convulsions and unconsciousness.

In this blog post, we will be discussing ways how to prevent Eclampsia because of its deadly consequences. They include the following:

Check your blood pressure

Regularly checking your blood pressure is top on the list. Checking blood pressure during pregnancy can help prevent and/or control high blood pressure. You must ensure that your blood pressure does not exceed the normal range of 120/80 mmHg. Talk to your doctor about when to check your blood pressure in this journey of pregnancy.

Increase your Calcium intake

WHO has recommended the practice of calcium supplementation intake during pregnancy in women with low calcium. Talk to your doctor about diets rich in calcium.

Low-dose acetylsalicylic (aspirin 75mg)

Low-dose aspirin initiated before 16 weeks of gestation reduce about 17% risk of Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia according to a study.

Do not abuse your antihypertensive drugs

Pregnant women with severe hypertension are not to be reminded or compelled to take their antihypertensive drugs as prescribed by their doctors so that their blood pressure can be normal before normal labor. However, depending on your doctor’s prescription, continue taking antihypertensive drugs even during postpartum until your blood pressure becomes normal.

Magnesium sulfate

This is an anticonvulsant of choice normally used for women with severe Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia. If possible, talk to your doctor about how to administer magnesium sulfate before taking it. It’s commonly recommended for women who experienced Pre-eclampsia in their first pregnancy. WHO on the other hand, recommended pregnant women with severe Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia take a full regimen of magnesium sulfate.

Avoid being pregnant

If your doctor has confirmed that your blood pressure is always high and does not want to be normalized as early as possible. Maybe you should avoid being pregnant at this time until your blood pressure becomes normal. You can achieve this through modification in your lifestyle and/or improving your nutrient intake.

Bed rest

Taking a 30-minute rest from everyday activities can reduce the risk of Eclampsia or Pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, and hypertension. Your body needs rest! One thing is certain you cannot finish everything in a day no matter how smart you think you are, it only impacts you negatively and increases your tendency to develop high blood pressure when you’re too stressed.

Exercise

Always exercise your body. Sitting in a place for too long without regular exercise, evening or morning walkout increase the risk of developing hypertension. When you cannot prevent hypertension, you’re likely to have Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia.

Go for a urinalysis test

Proteinuria is one of the major signs of Pre-eclampsia. Therefore, going for a urinalysis test will help you to know when your urine is normal.

Reduce your Salt intake

Normally, high salt intake increases the risk of developing hypertension. In as much as high salt intake is not safe for nonpregnant women so it’s not also safe for pregnant women.

Eat more Garlic

Studies have shown that garlic in the form of dried powder reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Progesterone

According to research, the shortage of progesterone might lead to the cause of Pre-eclampsia, as such, an increase in progesterone during pregnancy can substantially reduce the risk of Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia.

Diuretic

Diuretic drugs are known to reduce blood pressure by excreting more urine and hence relaxing blood vessels. However, in this effect, it is believed that Diuretic drugs have the potential to reduce the risk of Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia in pregnancy.

Diets

Foods such as vegetables, fruits, potassium-rich foods, whole grains, olive oils, fish, avocados, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and melons have a 20% or greater reduced risk of developing Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia according to a report.

Folic acid and Vitamin B6

These may help prevent Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia.

Vitamin D

Some studies suggested that low Vitamin D may increase the risk of Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia. Other studies also suggested that taking Vitamin D supplements reduced the risk of Pre-eclampsia or Eclampsia.

Maintain a healthy weight

Always check your weight every week because if your body mass index (BMI) goes above the normal range of 19-25, 30 and above may result in obesity which increases your blood pressure spontaneously.

Stay hydrated and Drink enough water

Water is very much essential in the body as it does a lot of things in the body. Taking more than 8 glasses of water daily is a good practice. Drinking enough water helps to balance levels of sodium in your diet.

7 Ways to Manage Eclampsia

Maintain airway

Gag the mouth with a padded spatula and suck out debris. Remove any dentures to avoid aspirations.

Control

Control fit which could lead to anoxia in the mother and fetus with one of these drugs: Diazepam, Paraldehyde, Lytic cocktail (Largactile +Pheriegan+ Tramal). Your doctor knows how to go about this.

Antihypertensive drugs

Your doctor will prescribe antihypertensive drugs when managing with either Reserpine (Serpasil) or Hydralazine (Asperoline) if diastolic blood pressure is more than 110mmHg.

Catherterise the bladder

Insert an indwelling catheter because a full bladder stimulates fitting. Urine is aspirated every Six hours to test for protein. A strict input and output chart is kept. If the urinary output is less than 25mls/ hour or 600mls/day, oliguria exists, and renal failure is imminent. A diuretic is favored here. Intravenous furosemide (Lasix) is suggested to be given.

Prophylactic Antibiotics

This prevents hypostatic pneumonia and urinary tract infection due to catheterization. They include Xtapen, Streptomycin, and Ampiclox. Your doctor knows how to administer these drugs for you.

Prophylactic Antimalaria

Antimalaria drugs are given most times to prevent malaria fever.

Care

The patient is turned from side to side regularly to avoid gravitation of secretion from the trachea to the lung base. Your health care provider takes the responsibility for this, and it is done in a dark room to prevent stimuli from further inducing fits. Oral toilet and regular suction to prevent aspiration. Your doctor will also monitor blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature regularly.

As soon as fits are controlled and labor is not imminent, induction of labor is carried out irrespective of the gestational age. If there is any contra-indication to vaginal delivery, then your doctor will know if a cesarean section will be carried out.

Complications of Eclampsia include hypostatic pneumonia, premature baby, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC).