August 20, 2024

Signs of a Healthy Pregnancy: Monitoring for Preeclampsia

Young pregnant woman

Just 13 years old and pregnant, Maya (not her real name) had just been placed in foster care when her foster mother grew concerned about some of Maya’s symptoms. She called Audrey Van Kamen, the teen’s EveryStep nurse, who had been helping Maya plan for a healthy baby. Audrey told her to take Maya to the hospital. She was suffering from preeclampsia.

At the hospital, Maya was induced and gave birth to a girl, who received temporary neonatal care due to the complications of a long delivery. Monitoring the signs of a healthy pregnancy made a difference for Maya and her child.

This preeclampsia story ended with a healthy mom and baby, but that doesn’t always happen. Each year, 250,000 pregnant individuals in the U.S. develop preeclampsia and 700 die.

Learn More About EveryStep’s Work in the Community

Preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder, is one of the leading preventable causes of death in childbirth in the U.S. The most recent Iowa Maternal Mortality Review Committee report concluded that preeclampsia is among the top three causes of maternal death in Iowa.

According to the report, one of the contributing issues related to preeclampsia and hypertension is a lack of health equity. The state report concluded that discriminatory differences in the quality of care received — especially preventive care — and a lack of culturally appropriate care are among the driving factors of this life-threatening condition.

EveryStep meets pregnant individuals where they are, no matter where they’re from or live, and provides culturally competent pre- and postnatal care. Through dedicated case workers, nurses and translators, EveryStep works to provide meaningful support for healthy parents, families and babies.

Connect with EveryStep

Nurse Audrey questions her clients on each visit to see if there are symptoms of preeclampsia, including:

  • Are you having any changes in your vision?
  • Are you dizzy or lightheaded?
  • Are you extra swollen?
  • Have you gained more than 5 pounds in the last few days?
  • Do you have a headache that’s not resolved with medication?
  • Do you have upper gastric pain?

“Those are questions I ask every single visit, along with checking blood pressure, especially as we're getting closer towards delivery,” says Audrey, who adds preeclampsia can happen after delivery. “It can happen almost a year postpartum. It can be a silent killer.”

Everyone faces hard times in life, but some people in our community are coping with more difficult circumstances. EveryStep helps these people navigate health and social service systems so that challenging moments don’t become setbacks that last a lifetime.

EveryStep shows up when people need us most — no matter who they are or what circumstances they face. The diversity and breadth of our programs ensure we can meet a variety of needs at once and provide ongoing assistance over time, leading to real results for thousands of Iowans now leading more stable, fulfilling lives.

You have the power to help those struggling right here in your community. Donate today to make sure no one falls through the gaps in our community fabric.

Donate Now

We all face difficult moments in life. The outcome depends on whether we have compassionate care and support along the way — the type that EveryStep provides.