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Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

Preeclampsia Video

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English

This is a short video on preeclampsia, a condition of high blood pressure in pregnancy. In this video you will learn about preeclampsia, signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to take care of you and your baby. We are here to help you have the safest pregnancy and birth. Talk to your provider if you have any questions or want to learn more about preeclampsia.

Transcript

Preeclampsia is a serious health problem where you can get high blood pressure in pregnancy. Preeclampsia can harm your body and your baby. 

The earlier we know you have preeclampsia, the sooner we can work in partnership to help you and your baby.

The best treatment for preeclampsia is delivery. This might be sooner than expected and you may require an induction of labor, which is starting your labor with medications, or you may need a Cesarean Section

Black patients are more likely to be diagnosed with preeclampsia than patients of other races. Racism and its impact contributes to this disparity, rather than biology or genetics

At Boston Medical Center, 1 out of 10 of our pregnant and postpartum patients have preeclampsia. There is a higher chance of having preeclampsia if you are having your first baby, have high blood pressure or had high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy or have other health problems

You may have warning signs of preeclampsia, but sometimes you have no symptoms. Tell your provider if you have bad headaches that don’t get better when you take medicine, changes in your vision like dark spots or bright flashes, or pain in the upper right part of your belly. 

It is possible for preeclampsia to progress quickly, so it is important to take any symptoms seriously.

If you don’t get help, severe preeclampsia can cause: seizures, strokes, kidney damage, liver damage, problems with your placenta, slow growth of your baby, or stillbirth.

Keep yourself and your baby healthy! Go to all prenatal appointments. Have your blood pressure taken at your clinic and check it at home as directed. Call your prenatal provider right away, if you have any preeclampsia signs. 

Talk to your provider about prenatal aspirin, it could reduce your risk of preeclampsia by 60%. 

You are the expert about your body. If you get preeclampsia, we are here to help you have the healthiest and safest pregnancy and birth