Pre-Eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy) is the most common reason for women needing treatment and hospitalisation for complications in pregnancy. It is the most common reason for babies to need neonatal intensive care. About 4,000 women in Australia are severely affected each year. Around 1500 babies have to be delivered prematurely each year as a result.

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In addition to high blood pressure, a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia involves protein in the urine or liver pain or headache or blood abnormalities.

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If the only problem is high blood pressure, this is defined as “gestational hypertension” rather than pre-eclampsia. This still presents risks of complications in the pregnancy and requires good medical care but does not present as severe a range of problems as pre-eclampsia.

 

Two Australian Websites dedicated to Pre-eclampsia are;

 

Australian Action on Pre-eclampsia Inc. (AAPEC) is an association incorporated in Victoria. It is a voluntary organisation set up to provide support and information to families who have suffered from pre- eclampsia.

 

PEARLS (Pre-eclampsia Research Laboratories) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to:

· Mothers and babies who have suffered fro pre-eclampsia,

· Raising awareness and providing information to women and their families about pre-eclampsia

· Raising funds for medical research into the causes of pre-eclampsia and towards a screening test for pre-eclampsia, and· Promoting, collaboration in pre-eclampsia research within Australia and internationally.

PEARLS is based at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.

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The primary aim of PIPA is to provide practical and emotional support to the parents and families of premature infants. However we do not offer professional advice. We are parents of preterm baby’s and not medical staff. We do offer understanding, support, encouragement and friendship.