Postpartum eclampsia is a condition where seizures or coma occur shortly after delivery, potentially causing damage to major organs. It is often linked to preeclampsia and affects women over 40 having their first pregnancy. Treatment involves monitoring and medication to prevent further seizures.
Postpartum eclampsia refers to the sudden onset of seizures or coma shortly after delivery. The condition can potentially cause serious damage to the central nervous system (CNS), heart and other major organs in the mother’s body if it is not recognized and treated promptly. Symptoms tend to appear within 48 hours of delivery, but postpartum eclampsia can occur several days or even weeks later. Advances in prenatal care and medicine have significantly reduced the frequency of eclampsia episodes and related complications worldwide in recent decades.
The causes of postpartum eclampsia are unknown, but doctors are aware of several risk factors and warning signs. The vast majority of mothers who suffer from it have already been diagnosed with a condition called preeclampsia during their pregnancy. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, fluid retention, and protein loss in the urine. The related stress on the heart and central nervous system makes seizures more likely to develop. Women over the age of 40, especially those who are having their first pregnancies, are at a higher risk of both preeclampsia and eclampsia.
A mother may experience a single isolated seizure or a series of seizures after giving birth. In general, an attack lasts about a minute and involves facial twitching, pauses in breathing, and foaming at the mouth. Muscles in the face and body begin to spontaneously contract and relax for several seconds at the end of an episode. A temporary coma can begin following a seizure, followed by a period of confusion and extreme tiredness. In most cases, women have no memory of gaining or losing consciousness after the event.
During an active seizure, the medical team provides oxygen, restrains the patient, and administers an intravenous dose of a CNS relaxant. Blood pressure, consciousness, and breathing are closely monitored after the seizures have stopped. A doctor can then confirm that your symptoms were caused by postpartum eclampsia and not another seizure disorder by reviewing lab tests and doing image scans. A low platelet count and elevated protein in the urine are signs of preeclampsia-induced seizures. Computed tomography rules out brain defects, hemorrhages, and tumors.
A woman suffering from postpartum eclampsia is usually kept in the hospital for several days so that doctors can monitor her condition. Seizure medications may be needed to prevent further seizures. In most cases, the patient’s body or brain is not permanently damaged, and the baby is usually born free from health problems.
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