What is Pre-eclampsia and how can it affect my baby?

What is pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that happens during pregnancy where the mother’s blood pressure becomes high and some organs—often the kidneys or liver—are affected. It isn’t anyone’s fault. It is related to how the placenta (the organ that connects mom and baby) develops and how blood flows through it.

Why does it matter?

High blood pressure and placenta problems can make it harder for the baby to get enough oxygen and nutrients. It can also make the mother very sick. Because of this, doctors sometimes need to deliver the baby early to keep both mom and baby safe.

Why babies are sometimes born early with pre-eclampsia

The safest treatment for pre-eclampsia is delivery. However, if the baby is still very small or early, doctors consider two options:

1. Keeping the baby inside to grow longer and medically managing the blood pressures.

2. Delivering the baby, even if it will be preterm, because the health of the mom and/or baby is at risk if the pregnancy were to continue.

How pre-eclampsia can affect a preterm baby

Because of pre-eclampsia and early delivery, babies may:

• be smaller than expected for their gestational age because they weren’t getting optimal nutrients before birth due to poor placental blood flow.

• have trouble keeping warm, eating, and gaining weight due to their small size

• need help with breathing, because their lungs may still be immature or because they are small and don't have enough muscle strength to do the work of breathing on their own.

• have low blood sugar or low platelets at birth

• need time in the NICU for monitoring and support while they grow and mature

Many babies born early due to pre-eclampsia do very well, but they may need extra care at first.

How medical providers can help

Medical providers will:

• monitor the baby’s breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood sugar

• give IV nutrition or tube feeds until baby can feed by mouth

• support breathing if needed

• treat jaundice or infections if they occur

• watch growth closely

If mom is diagnosed before delivery, she may receive medicines such as steroids (see prior blog post on steroid shots or betamethasone 12/22/25) to help the baby’s lungs mature before birth, when there is time.

Reassurance for parents

You didn’t cause this. Pre-eclampsia is not something you could have prevented. Speak with your medical providers about your concerns so they can support you on this journey and counsel you about future pregnancies.