First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo calls for more attention to pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
The First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has called for increased awareness
and action towards making pre-eclampsia a topical health issue that
requires critical attention.
Startling figures revealed by the First Lady have shown that in some
regions in Ghana, notably Greater Accra and Central, Pre-eclampsia is
the leading cause of maternal deaths.
According to her, with the global numbers stating “830 women die from
pregnancy and childbirth-related causes each day” and pre-eclampsia
coming a close second to post-delivery bleeding, the trend is not
soothing to the ear.
She, therefore, bemoaned why experts say these deaths are preventable
yet essential medicines and tools to treat this disorder are often
unavailable in the country.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo was speaking at the launch of the World Pre-eclampsia
Day on the theme, “Pre-eclampsia be prepared before lightning strikes”
at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, Tuesday.
“Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood
pressure and signs of damage to organs, most often the liver and
kidneys. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in
women, whose blood pressure had previously been normal," she added.
“For the purposes of illustration let’s say a woman, Yaa Mansa has
the condition during pregnancy. Yaa whose blood pressure had been
previously normal, will exhibit pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.
"A test will show protein in her urine and she will have swollen feet
that depress when pressure is applied. According to the professionals,
this may imply that Yaa’s liver and kidneys may be affected.
"Yaa Mansa’s Pre-eclampsia would normally begin in the second half of
pregnancy after 20 weeks. For a woman like Yaa with no previous
hypertension, even a slight rise in blood pressure may be a sign of
pre-eclampsia,” she explained.
Other symptoms may include nausea or vomiting, decreased urine output
and shortness of breath, caused by fluid in the lungs as well as severe
headaches, changes in vision and upper abdominal pain, usually under
the ribs on the right side.
She was, however, quick to add that pre-eclampsia sometimes develops without any symptoms.
Touching on the risk factors involved the First Lady said, a woman is at
a higher risk, if she has a personal or family history of pre-eclampsia
or has chronic hypertension and that the risk is also higher with a
first pregnancy or if a woman is pregnant with her second or third child
with a new partner.
“An obese woman, a woman carrying two or more fetuses, or carrying an
in-vitro pregnancy, also have a higher risk of getting pre-eclampsia,”
she mentioned.
She assured that, explaining the risk factors was not to frighten
anyone but to ensure that knowledge allows women take the necessary
steps to stay well and alive.
Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who is also the founder and Head of the
Rebecca Foundation advised pregnant mothers to consistently seek
ante-natal care and entreated health workers, to intensify the education
on pre-eclampsia and other conditions that lead to the current
unacceptable rate of maternal deaths in Ghana.
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