[LMB] there's a word for it

[quietann]

On 8/1/06, Patricia A. Swan <zafaran at sff.net> wrote:

>
> The full on, killing-you-right-now state is called "eclampsia"
> and can persist up to 72 hours post birth.  Pre-eclampsia is the
> initial stages of the process when the blood pressure and other
> factors soar and is basically the warning that you are going to
> be dead-real-soon if something isn't done immediately.  It's the
> reason they keep such a careful eye on blood pressure and stuff
> during a pregnancy.  The chances of it happening are much higher
> in women who don't get adequate pre-natal care though it can
> happen to some woman no matter how good their pre-natal
> care.  It's also one of the risk factors for end-stage renal
> disease in women.  Azalais mentioned that a lot of the women who
> she sees at the transplant center she works at need a kidney
> transplant because they kept trying to have babies even when it
> was killing them and their kidneys.


I am a bit surprised that  women who have experienced pre-eclampsia or
especially eclampsia don't go right out and get their tubes tied.  (Happened
to a friend of mine.  The only cure is to take the baby, and mom can die if
that isn't done.  Or if it is for that matter.  In my friend's case, her
baby girl was born by C-section at 27 weeks.  The girl is 11 years old now
and is very small for her age but otherwise is fine.  Mom had a harrowing
recovery -- think Cordelia in _Barrayar_, but without the soltoxin -- and is
also fine, but she took her doctor seriously when she was told, "No more.")




-- 
quietann at gmail.com

aka "The Accidental Jewess"