Preeclampsia Foundation

Preeclampsia Foundation Educate, support, and engage the affected community, improve healthcare practices, & accelerating research. This site does not give medical advice.
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***disclaimer*** Contact your medical professional or 911 in case of an emergency. Please check the preeclampsia community forums (www.preeclampsia.org/forum) and hotline (800-665-9341) for urgent questions/concerns. This is not an entry point for quick answers.

09/15/2026

Who gets preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy occur in 5-8% of all pregnancies of women, including those who have none of the known risk factors (see below). It is more apt to occur during the first pregnancy. The most significant risk factors for preeclampsia are:

❗Previous history of preeclampsia
❗Multiple gestation (i.e., pregnant with more than one baby)
❗History of chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease or organ transplant
❗First pregnancy
❗Obesity, particularly with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Calculate your BMI here.
❗Over 35 or under 20 years of age
❗Family history of preeclampsia (i.e., a mother, sister, grandmother or aunt had the disorder)
❗Gestational diabetes
❗Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS)
❗Lupus or other autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis and multiple sclerosis
❗Thrombophilia (an inherited or acquired tendency to form blood clots both in arteries and veins)
❗In-vitro fertilization (IVF) or other assisted reproductive technology (ART)
❗Sickle cell disease
❗Obstructive sleep apnea
❗Black or African American*

*due to racial bias

Learn more: www.preeclampsia.org/faqs

with Nikki Bulman with the Rhode Island Promise Walk for PreeclampsiaNikki writes, "Days after my son was born, I was ...
09/15/2026

with Nikki Bulman with the Rhode Island Promise Walk for Preeclampsia

Nikki writes, "Days after my son was born, I was in the hospital for one week with postpartum preeclampsia. It was devastating to not be able to hold, cuddle, or care for him during that time. I, and my little family, are SO grateful to still have each other.

Like many other women, I didn't know anything about preeclampsia going into my pregnancy. My son is 10 now and, since he was born, I have personally talked to so many other moms who also experienced preeclampsia without prior knowledge of the condition. That is why I walk! We need all the awareness and advocacy we can get around this very real, very scary, very common issue."

Join us for the Rhode Island Promise Walk for Preeclampsia on Sunday, September 20 at 1 pm at Goddard Memorial State Park. Registration is free: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026promisewalk/classification/298081/

We appreciate you, neonatal nurses ❤️Thank you to all the NICU nurses who provide care for NICU babies and their familie...
09/15/2026

We appreciate you, neonatal nurses ❤️

Thank you to all the NICU nurses who provide care for NICU babies and their families impacted by preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome.

09/14/2026

Many preeclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP syndrome survivors experience a NICU stay for their baby. Sometimes it can be difficult to bond with your baby during the NICU stay. You are not alone if you feel this way or have felt this way. ❤️

Access our mental health resources here: https://www.preeclampsia.org/birth-trauma-resources

New bipartisan legislation could help expand access to innovative testing for patients at risk of developing preeclampsi...
09/14/2026

New bipartisan legislation could help expand access to innovative testing for patients at risk of developing preeclampsia. The Preeclampsia Risk Evaluation and Evidence-based Management through Personalized Testing Act, or PREEMPT Act, would provide state Medicaid programs with important guidance on using blood-based biomarker tests throughout pregnancy.

These tests can help healthcare providers identify patients at elevated risk earlier and make more informed decisions about monitoring, treatment, and care. With hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remaining a leading cause of maternal illness and death, improving access to timely and effective testing is an important step toward protecting pregnant patients and their babies.

We need your support to help advance this legislation and ensure more families can benefit from innovative tools that may improve preeclampsia detection and management.

Contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to cosponsor the PREEMPT Act to accelerate access to tools and technologies that improve the care of pregnant women and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Use our tool to contact your Representative: https://powerslaw.quorum.us/campaign/163936/

Please act now and share this with your networks!

with Stephanie Jenkins of the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Charlotte, NC Stephanie writes, "I walk to support mothers...
09/14/2026

with Stephanie Jenkins of the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Charlotte, NC

Stephanie writes, "I walk to support mothers affected by preeclampsia. Eighteen years ago, while carrying my son Russell, I was induced at 32 weeks due to rising blood pressure and the risk of developing severe preeclampsia. I’m forever grateful for the care I received. Today, I walk to raise awareness, support other moms, and honor those whose journeys have been more difficult."

Join us for the Charlotte, NC Promise Walk for Preeclampsia on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 11 am at Park Road Park Shelter #2, 6220 Park Road Charlotte, NC

Registration is free: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026promisewalk/classification/298091/

with Alexis LaVacca from the Long Island NY Promise Walk for PreeclampsiaAlexis writes, "I walk because this cause is ...
09/13/2026

with Alexis LaVacca from the Long Island NY Promise Walk for Preeclampsia

Alexis writes, "I walk because this cause is deeply personal to me. After experiencing the devastating impact of preeclampsia during my own pregnancy and losing my son, Lincoln, I made it my mission to honor his memory by raising awareness and supporting others affected by this condition.

The walk is a way to channel grief into purpose, bringing families, friends, and communities together to advocate for more research, education, and resources so that fewer families have to endure the same heartbreak. Each step I take is for Lincoln, for the mothers and babies fighting today, and for the hope of a healthier tomorrow."

Join Alexis and walk in teh Long Island Promise Walk for Preeclampsia on September 26 at 10 am at South Side Middle School Track, Rockville Centre, NY

Registration is free: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026promisewalk/classification/298067/

For today's we are sharing Katherine's story with Katherine writes, "I had never heard of preeclampsia until las...
09/13/2026

For today's we are sharing Katherine's story with

Katherine writes, "I had never heard of preeclampsia until last November, when a routine third‑trimester appointment changed my life. After checking in, I was immediately sent to the hospital and diagnosed with preeclampsia with severe features. Instead of putting together the nursery and enjoying the holiday season, I was on magnesium drips, IV blood pressure medications, urgent conversations with my doctor about delivering my baby, and talking to a neonatologist about what we could expect with premature baby and NICU. I was barely 30 weeks pregnant and terrified.

I ended up hospitalized on bedrest and monitoring with the goal of reaching 34 weeks for delivery. Preeclampsia can progress rapidly- which is what happened to me. I am so proud of my body for holding on and fighting its hardest until it couldn’t. I delivered my daughter at 33 weeks in an emergency c-section. My delivery would be followed by admission to the ICU while my baby girl was in the NICU. Days passed before I could finally hold and meet little love. Absolutely nothing about my pregnancy or birth went to plan. Preeclampsia took so much physically and mentally from me during this time of what should have been the best time of our lives. It will also follow me into the future with higher risks of a laundry list of complications.

To anyone pregnant if you feel anything is off, have symptoms of any disorder such as preeclampsia please advocate for yourself. I had symptoms such as swelling, exhaustion, and nausea past the first and second trimesters I had chalked up to just another uncomfortable thing being pregnant. These are not normal and I wish I had advocated before finding myself very sick."

Read more: https://www.preeclampsia.org/our-stories/i-had-never-heard-of-preeclampsia

09/12/2026

Preeclampsia (pre-e-CLAMP-si-a) is persistent high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy or the postpartum period. It is often associated with high levels of protein in the urine or the new development of decreased blood platelets, trouble with the kidneys or liver, fluid in the lungs, or signs of brain trouble such as seizures and/or visual disturbances.

Preeclampsia is diagnosed by persistent high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy or the postpartum period (up to 6 weeks postpartum) that is associated with high levels of protein in the urine OR the new development of decreased blood platelets, trouble with the kidneys or liver, fluid in the lungs, or signs of brain trouble such as seizures and/or visual disturbances.

Important symptoms that may suggest preeclampsia are headaches, abdominal pain, shortness of breath or burning behind the sternum, nausea and vomiting, confusion, heightened state of anxiety, and/or visual disturbances such as oversensitivity to light, blurred vision, or seeing flashing spots or auras.

Learn more: www.preeclampsia.org/faqs

For today's we are sharing Rizwana's story with in three of her pregnancies. Rizwana writes, "I never imagined pregn...
09/12/2026

For today's we are sharing Rizwana's story with in three of her pregnancies.

Rizwana writes, "
I never imagined pregnancy would become a journey shaped by fear, uncertainty, and resilience. My experience with preeclampsia spans three pregnancies, each leaving a lasting mark on my heart.

In 2012, during my first pregnancy, I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. At 33 weeks, I had a placental abruption at home. Everything happened so fast I was rushed for an emergency Caesarean under general anaesthetic. We were told our baby might not be alive. Those words shattered my world.

When I woke, my baby was in special care. I was in high dependency and missed those first precious moments of skin-to-skin. Instead, my baby needed help breathing. I felt helpless recovering, starting labetalol, and watching my newborn fight to survive.

In 2016, I entered my second pregnancy hopeful but afraid. I was started on aspirin at 16 weeks, but at 29 weeks, preeclampsia returned. I delivered at 31 weeks and 1 day. I will never forget the phone call from my husband telling me our baby boy was struggling to breathe and needed ventilation and intubation. I was terrified. I was even scared to fully bond with him in case I lost him. Seeing him so small and helpless in an incubator is something that has never left me. He spent a long time in special care and came home on oxygen. It was an incredibly traumatic time.

Before my third pregnancy in 2020, we had considered adopting, trying to protect ourselves from going through it all again. Then I found out I was pregnant both a joyful and frightening moment.
This pregnancy was filled with anxiety, but I was closely supported from the start. I began aspirin at six weeks, along with high-dose folic acid and vitamin D, and made major lifestyle changes. Week by week, we held on. I reached 36 weeks and 6 days, delivering just before preeclampsia returned. It felt like a hard-earned victory.

Afterwards, my blood pressure was difficult to control and I required labetalol and nifedipine, which were slowly reduced over time. Today, I am no longer on medication.

Looking back, the emotional and physical toll was immense, but so was the strength I found. Today, my children are 14, 9, and 5 healthy and thriving.

Preeclampsia can happen to anyone. Sharing my story is about raising awareness and reminding others they are not alone."

Read more: https://www.preeclampsia.org/our-stories/my-preeclampsia-journey-three-pregnancies-three-different-paths

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