Discuss why Understanding the issue of pre-eclampsia is essential to reducing mortality and morbidity among pregnant women and improving care for women diagnosed with the condition.
Effects Of the Problem
If left untreated, pre-eclampsia has many complications, affecting both the mother and the newborn. One of the complications includes fetal growth restriction due to interference in blood circulation caused by pre-eclampsia as inadequate blood supply, oxygen, and nutrients to the placenta result in slow growth of the fetus (Staff, 2019). Secondly, there is also a likelihood of low birth weight as the condition may lead to early delivery before the gestation period. Premature babies have breathing difficulties, feeding challenges, and may have delayed vision or hearing. In addition, placental abruption can occur, and this causes the placenta to separate from the uterus lining before delivery. In severe cases, placental abruption leads to severe bleeding, which is life-threatening (Witcher, 2018). The development of eclampsia characterized by seizures can also occur, and organ damage to organs like kidneys, heart, eyes, liver, and the lungs. In some cases, it could lead to brain injury. These complications are life-threatening and can cause death.
Significance Of the Topic and Implication for Nursing Practice
Understanding the issue of pre-eclampsia is essential to reducing mortality and morbidity among pregnant women and improving care for women diagnosed with the condition. Nurses play a significant role during the pregnancy journey by educating and supporting the mother on pre-eclampsia (Alnuaimi et al.,2020).
