High-risk pregnancy doctor in Kolkata Tells Preeclampsia vs. Swelling
High-risk Pregnancy Doctor in Kolkata
Feet swelling at the end of the day. Swollen fingers as soon as you get up from bed. You must have already come across this unwanted visitor. Most often, it is not an issue at all. But once in a while, swelling can be your body’s sign that something is wrong. And here comes into play the role of a high-risk pregnancy doctor. In this article, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Gupta will discuss what is normal and when it is an alarming signal.
What Is Normal Pregnancy Swelling, Really?
According to a gynecologist, it is best to begin with the basics. As your baby develops, you retain more fluids. Due to gravity, these fluids collect at the lower parts of your body. This is why your feet and ankles swell up more often than not.
Typical swelling or edema will do the following:
- Take place slowly over the course of days or even weeks
- Be symmetrical on both feet and ankles
- Disappear with some rest
- Cause no pain
If sitting down for twenty minutes solves your problem. Chances are that you have nothing to worry about. However, there are instances when this does not happen.
What Is Preeclampsia? The Swelling That Means Something Different
A high-risk pregnancy doctor tells one of the conditions is preeclampsia, which is often associated with high blood pressure. This disease is usually diagnosed after 20 weeks. Importantly, it is not only connected with edema but also affects your organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
After all, it may surprise you that the edema associated with preeclampsia does not necessarily resolve by resting. So, it appears spontaneously and may affect unusual areas of your body like the face or hands.
Warning Signs That Are NOT Normal
Be on the lookout for the following signs:
- Suddenly swelling of the face, especially around the eyes
- Swollen hands, which develop overnight
- Headaches that are persistent despite treatment with paracetamol
- Vision problems such as seeing spots or blurriness
- Pain in the area below the ribs, especially on the right side
- Weight gain of more than 1 kg within a week
- Less urine production
If any of these apply to you, please do not hesitate to see your gynecologist today, not a week from now.
Normal Swelling vs. Preeclampsia: A Quick Comparison
Sometimes it helps to see things side by side.
Feature | Normal Swelling | Preeclampsia |
Onset | Gradual | Can be sudden |
Location | Feet, ankles | Face, hands, sometimes feet |
Improves with rest | Usually yes | Usually no |
Blood pressure | Normal | High |
Other symptoms | None | Headache, vision changes, upper belly pain |
Why Blood Pressure Checks Matter So Much
This is one thing that several women do not know: preeclampsia can come up gradually. One day, you could be feeling healthy while your blood pressure starts to rise. This is the reason why antenatal checkups are important and cannot be overlooked.
An experienced pregnancy specialist will always test your blood pressure, urine protein, and body weight at each checkup. Early detection of small problems will help avoid major problems in the future. Likewise, if you previously had preeclampsia, or you are expecting twins, or you are diabetic, you need special attention throughout your pregnancy period.
When Should You See a High-Risk Pregnancy Doctor in Kolkata?
But then again, every pregnancy doesn’t necessarily require specialized attention. However, there are some cases when it becomes essential. If you happen to be in such circumstances, feel free to contact a specialist in high-risk pregnancy in Kolkata if you have the following:
History of high blood pressure or preeclampsia in any previous pregnancy
- Diabetes, either pre-existing or gestational
- Multiple pregnancies (twins, etc.)
- Obesity or a body mass index out of the recommended limit
- Kidney diseases or any form of autoimmune diseases
- More than 35 years old in this pregnancy
Your pregnancy doctor will then create a plan for monitoring according to your risk factors. After all, this is a high-risk case.
What Happens If It Is Preeclampsia?
Getting diagnosed does not imply panic. This implies action. The treatment will vary depending on the stage that you have reached as well as how severe the condition has become.
In mild cases, the doctor will just monitor you more closely by checking your blood pressure and blood levels regularly. For severe conditions, you will require medication to regulate your blood pressure. Finally, in critical conditions, delivery in the earlier stages will become mandatory.
Most importantly, this is an issue that cannot be dealt with on your own in a guesswork manner. The best high-risk pregnancy doctor will know exactly what needs to be monitored and when.
Trust Your Gut, Not Just the Internet
Let me give you some honest feedback. Pregnancy makes you extremely sensitive to any sort of pain or discomfort. It’s completely natural. However, you may be at risk for overlooking actual red flags, thinking they are just “pregnancy things.” Don’t do that.
When anything seems out of place, and you don’t know what is causing it, give your doctor a call. The five minutes it takes to talk with him will save your life. Furthermore, develop a simple habit of looking at yourself in the mirror each day when you wake up.
Always Consult Your Doctor
Swelling while pregnant is fairly common, but in most cases, it is not something to get concerned about. Nevertheless, if it comes suddenly and even spreads to your face or hands, along with giving you headaches and vision problems. Then it calls for an urgent visit to the clinic. Routine visits to a reliable high-risk pregnancy doctor, along with expert care, are the surest way forward. As Dr. Jayanta Kumar Gupta, I believe your instincts are valuable. Listen to them.