At the Preeclampsia Foundation, we work diligently to inform expectant parents of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia so they recognize and respond appropriately to them. An educated patient can sometimes make the difference between life and death so we strive to make women more knowledgeable and confident to trust their bodies. We are always seeking validation, or evidence, that our education programs and tools yield results – that they are effective, and easily understood and retained by patients.
Despite the clear benefits of patient education in improving health outcomes, it is unclear how often healthcare providers discuss preeclampsia with their patients and how much of this information is understood.
A recent study exploring preeclampsia awareness and prenatal education on the topic among mothers in Utah found a need for improved prenatal education regarding preeclampsia. The study showed that a little over half (56.7%) of women reported their healthcare provider described the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia to them. Similar to the national results of the 2008 and 2014 Preeclampsia Foundation surveys, results from this study suggest that while most women have heard of preeclampsia, they often do not know or are unsure of the specific symptoms of preeclampsia.
The authors conclude that an explanation of preeclampsia signs and symptoms should be given to all women at prenatal care visits to improve health outcomes.
The Preeclampsia Foundation offers patient education materials directly to expectant parents, as well as advocates for practice changes by healthcare providers, encouraging them to have conversations with every mother. This study suggests that simply mentioning preeclampsia is not enough, but that all women should be given a thorough overview of symptoms to look out for, when to look out for them, and how to respond appropriately. Studies like these not only assess the current effectiveness of education programs, but also demonstrate the need for providers to “buy-in” to preeclampsia education for every woman, every pregnancy.
Nurses play a vital role in detecting preeclampsia and caring for patient before, during, and beyond pregnancy.
A key component needed in the fight against preeclampsia is the development of tests for simple, rapid, and accurate diagnosis and prediction through the development and adoption of biomarkers.
As a first step to address the need for self-monitored blood pressure, the Preeclampsia Foundation started providing the Cuff Kit™ in June 2020 to women at highest risk of developing preeclampsia and...
Every woman should be able to check her own blood pressure at home.
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The Preeclampsia Foundation announced today that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded new funding for its MoMMA’s Voices program, a national coalition of patient advocacy...
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released today a final recommendation statement on screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The Task Force recommends that all pregnant peopl...
September 7, 2023 - Rockville, Md. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)— awarded an evaluation a...
SAN FRANCISCO - April 28, 2023 A new special report published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG) provides a methodical, comprehensive approach to managing preeclampsia, one...
As a relatively new employee, I found the Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health (AIM) conference beneficial in terms of learning more and connecting with others in the maternal health field....