Parenting Australia

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

Its objectives are to educate, inform and advise the public and health professionals about the prevalence, nature and risks of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
To provide support to people who suffer or have suffered pre-eclampsia, and their families.
To campaign for greater awareness and action to improve methods of detection and treatment.
To promote research into the causes of the disease and appropriate screening techniques and treatment methods.

What you need to know and stay aware of whilst pregnant or planning to be;

Who is at risk?
• § This is your first pregnancy
• § You are having a subsequent baby with a new partner
• § Have a family history of Pre-eclampsia/ Eclampsia or HELLP Syndrome
• § You are over 35
• § You already suffer from high blood pressure or kidney disease
• § Have diabetes or lupus
• § You are carrying multiples (twins, triplets or more)
• § You have suffered from Pre-eclampsia/ Eclampsia/ HELLP Syndrome before

Signs and Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia

• § High Blood Pressure
• § Protein in Urine
• § Swelling of Face, Hands and Feet
• § Headache
• § Visual Disturbances

If you suspect any of these signs and symptoms and/or are in a high risk category for Pre-eclampsia then you need to discuss this with your obstetrician and have regular blood pressure checks and urine checks for protein throughout your pregnancy. Further information can be found via our website www.aapec.org.au/ .

Pre-eclampsia Questions and Answers

What is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is the most common serious medical disorder of human pregnancy, usually arising in the 2nd half of pregnancy and sometimes even after delivery. In the mother it can cause several problems of which she may be unaware. These can include high blood pressure, leakage of protein in the urine, thinning of blood and liver dysfunction. Occasionally Pre-eclampsia can lead to convulsions, a complication called Eclampsia. When a pregnancy is complicated by Pre-eclampsia the baby may grow slowly and suffer from harmful oxygen deficiency. The only cure for Pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby, if this occurs early in the pregnancy this may result in the birth of a very premature infant.

How common and dangerous is it?

Pre-eclampsia affects one in ten pregnancies, with 1% of pregnancies resulting in severe Pre-eclampsia. These serious cases represent a serious threat to the health of both mother and baby with the death of some 200 Australian babies each year and some 50,000 mothers dying annually worldwide as a result of Eclampsia and subsequent complications. Dangerous complications such as eclampsia convulsions, cerebral haemorrhage (stroke), pulmonary oedema (fluid on lungs from heart failure), kidney failure, liver damage and thinning of the blood can occur but fortunately in rare cases.

What causes Pre-eclampsia?

The precise cause is unknown; however genetic factors are probably involved. There is good evidence that the placenta is centrally involved in the development of Pre-eclampsia.

How do you test or screen for Pre- eclampsia?

Pre- eclampsia is best detected by routine screening tests, such as urine checks for protein and blood pressure checks.

What: Pre-eclampsia Awareness Week
When: 24-30 August 2009
To Purchase: Awareness Ribbons, or ‘Pre-Eclampsia - The Australian Experience' book or a Pre-eclampsia book marks, visit our website’s on-line shop at www.aapec.org.au/

Information: www.aapec.org.au

Kathleen Conway
Publicity Officer

Hi Kath,

Thanks so much for sharing this information. I know how important it is to be aware after Airlie Fae was born almost 13 weeks early due to me suffering from Pre Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome.
Good Luck with raising awareness and the book launch at PE Awareness Week this year. Will the CSA be appearing anywhere?

Take Care
Fiona

Thankyou Fiona, I hope Airlie and yourself have recovered after the ordeal of this life threatening condition.
The Community Service Announcement requests have gone put to all rural TV stations Nationally so this process has begun and we hope to have some air time via the major metropolitian stations. Look out for our AAPEC Community Service Announcement on your local T.V station between 24-30 August! If you would like to view our CSA just click on the following link www.aapec.org.au/csa .
Thank you for your posting,
Kath

Pre-eclampsia Awareness Week 24-30 August 2009

"By informing woman of the signs and symptoms of Pre-eclampsia we can give them the power to protect themselves and the lives of their precious unborn babies".

Australian Action on Pre-eclampsia is promoting awareness of Pre-eclampsia and associated conditions for National Pre-eclampsia Awareness Week 24-30 August, 2009. We are asking all media to advertise Pre-eclampsia Awareness on their newspapers, magazines, websites and newsletters to promote awareness of this most common potentially deadly condition in pregnancy. For more information please email Kathleen on www.media@aapec.org.au .

What: Pre-eclampsia Awareness Week

When: 24-30 August 2009

To Purchase: ‘Pre-Eclampsia - The Australian Experience' book or a Pre-eclampsia Awareness Ribbon or book mark please visit our website’s on-line shop at www.aapec.org.au/

Information: www.aapec.org.au/

Community Service Announcement Viewing: www.aapec.org.au/csa/

See our Press Release: www.seekingmedia.com.au/news.php?newsid=718&g=-1

Thank you and your support is much appreciated,

Kathleen Conway
AAPEC Publicity Officer

Hi Kath,

Airlie is great now Thank You for asking. Its great to see more awareness getting out there and I think that everyone should be aware of the signs of PE. I urge all pregnant women to ask their doctors about these conditions and ask them if they have any info. If they don't tell them about AAPEC so they can get some into their offices ASAP.
I must also grab the latest book because our story has been printed and I can't wait to see what that looks like.
Keep up the good work Kath and the rest of the AAPEC team.
If anyone wants more info check out the AAPEC website and consider becoming a member for around $20 a year.

Take Care
Fiona

Erin was also born early due to severe PE and HELLP. I'm very grateful that I didn't know how sick I was until after she was born. Not sure how I would have coped with that.

Anyway, we bought our ribbons already and have been giving them to friends and family. I'm also going to be running a PE special on www.brisbanepremmies.com at the end of the month.

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