WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE . . .

...between pre-eclampsia and eclampsia?

BOTH are serious complications that occur during pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that leads to dangerously high blood pressure that can affect the development of the placenta – an organ that delivers nutrients to the baby in the womb.

It usually occurs after 20 weeks, and there are often no symptoms. In severe cases the mother can develop damage to the liver and kidneys as well as problems with blood clotting.

Eclampsia is what can happen if pre-eclampsia is not managed and the extremely high blood pressure begins to damage blood vessels supplying the brain.

The women then suffers seizures, which can be fatal for both her and her baby.