Preeclampsia can reduce blood flow to the fetus, restricting their food and oxygen supply. This, in turn, can affect development and may result in a low birth weight or preterm birth.

In severe cases, preeclampsia can be life threatening for the parent and baby.

However, with treatment and monitoring, most cases of preeclampsia do not result in severe complications. The symptoms usually improve soon after the baby is born.

This article looks at whether preeclampsia affects the fetus both during and after pregnancy. It also discusses the treatment and outlook for this condition.

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According to the National Health Service, most cases of preeclampsia cause no problems. However, the condition can affect the fetus during pregnancy, and sometimes, it has long-lasting consequences after giving birth.

Preeclampsia belongs to a spectrumTrusted Source of high blood pressure-related conditions that can occur in pregnancy. Gestational hypertension is a milder form of the condition, while eclampsia is the most severe form. Eclampsia causes seizures and can be life threatening.

However, it is possible to manage preeclampsia and to prevent it from progressing.

During pregnancy, preeclampsia may affectTrusted Source the fetus by:

  • reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients
  • impairing growth in a condition known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
  • causing preterm birth

These effects may occur due to problems with the placenta, which is an organ that passes blood and nutrients to the fetus.

Another potential effect of preeclampsia is lactic acidosis. This can occur if the fetal oxygen levels drop too low. When this happens, the fetus’s body will prioritize blood flow to the brain and heart and reduce blood flow to the kidneys, stomach, and limbs.

The result of this reduced blood flow can be a buildup of lactic acid, which can ultimately cause the fetus to become unconscious and stop moving. This is an emergency and one of the reasons why doctors may deliver as soon as possible in a person with preeclampsia, even if this means the baby is premature.

The main effect preeclampsia has on labor is in the timing of the baby’s delivery. Delivering the baby and placenta is the only way to treat the condition. Doctors usually recommend doing so early to prevent preeclampsia from getting worse.

However, preterm labor can also be an unplanned complication. Preeclampsia may also change a person’s experience of birth.

Some people with preeclampsia may give birth vaginally after having an induction. Others may need a cesarean delivery, commonly referred to as a C-section, to deliver the baby as quickly as possible.

Delaying labor for too long increasesTrusted Source the risk of severe high blood pressure, as well as the risk of:

Read more about the severe features of preeclampsia.

With proper management, many pregnant people and their babies recover from preeclampsia. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, many babies with IUGR catch up on their growth after birth. Often, this happens in a few months.

However, preeclampsia and preterm birth do raise the chance of certain health conditions. Infants born too early are more likelyTrusted Source to have:

Infants who experienced limited growth in the uterus as a result of preeclampsia may also be at higher risk of some conditions in adulthood, such as:

The main treatment for preeclampsia is delivering the baby and placenta. Doctors usually recommend delivering if the pregnancy is at 37 weeks or laterTrusted Source. This helps avoid further health complications.

There are also medications that a doctor may prescribe, such as:

In some cases, doctors must deliver sooner. A doctor will determine how to manage it based on:

  • the gestational age and health of the fetus
  • the overall health and age of the parent
  • blood pressure readings
  • red blood cells or platelet counts
  • signs of kidneys or liver damage

Most pregnant people with preeclampsia will deliver healthy babies and fully recover. However, some experience complications. For babies, this can range from mild or short-term symptoms to severe or lifelong effects.

There are also consequences for parents. Having preeclampsia in one pregnancy raises the risk of preeclampsia in future pregnancies. People who have had preeclampsia are more likely to develop the following later in life:

  • chronic high blood pressure
  • kidney disease
  • heart attack
  • stroke

This is why it can be helpful to speak with a doctor or obstetrician before getting pregnant, if possible. They may be able to help a person lower their risk of preeclampsia before they conceive.

Below are some answers to common questions about preeclampsia.

Can you give birth naturally if you have preeclampsia?

Some people with preeclampsia can give birth vaginally, but because doctors will usually want to deliver the baby slightly early, most will need medications to induce labor.

In some cases, doctors need to deliver the baby urgently to prevent serious complications, in which case they may perform a cesarean delivery.

How early will they deliver a baby if you have preeclampsia?

In most cases of preeclampsia, doctors recommend people have their baby during the 37th and 38th week of pregnancy.

Is it safe to have another baby if you had preeclampsia?

According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, research suggests that the risk of having preeclampsia again is approximately 20%. However, other experts suggest a range from 5% to 80%, depending on when someone developed preeclampsia and how severe it was.

If possible, people should consult a doctor who specializes in preeclampsia to gain insight into whether it is safe for them to have another baby following preeclampsia.

There may also beTrusted Source steps they can take to address factors that may increase their own risk of high blood pressure before they get pregnant.

Preeclampsia can affect a developing fetus by restricting the supply of blood, oxygen, or food, which may limit the fetus’s growth. The condition can affect fetal development and may result in preterm birth.

However, with early diagnosis and management, doctors can prolong the pregnancy to ensure the fetus has as long as possible to develop without a high risk of complications.

It is essential for people with preeclampsia to attend all the appointments and checkups they can to monitor preeclampsia and the health of the fetus.