For Patients/Families

Eclampsia
An uncommon complication of pregnancy marked by convulsions (seizures). It is usually preceded by pre-eclampsia (hypertension, fluid accumulation in the tissues, and spilling protein in the urine). Prenatal visits are important to identify pre-eclampsia before it worsens to the point of threatening the welfare of the baby and mother. There is only one certain treatment for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia—delivery of the baby. Pre-eclampsia is a common reason for delivering a pregnant woman before term.