Q & A - Pre-eclampsia: The Big Bag Ugly

See below for the Q & A posted August 15th on when protein in the urine was not a cause of worry. Today we'll discuss when it is.

If significant protein in your urine is found, especially later in pregnancy, and especially if your blood pressure exceeds 140/90 OR has increased significantly, you may have pre-eclampsia. To diagnose pre-eclampsia, blood will be drawn to run a panel on your liver function, and you may have to collect all of your urine for a 24 hours in a special Orange Pee Jug (that's the official medical term for it).

Pre-eclampsia can remain mild for weeks on end, or it can progress quickly and, in most severe cases, put both the mother and baby's life at risk. For this reason, no one likes it, and it must be taken very seriously.

Theories on what causes pre-eclampsia range from a defect in the placenta to anaphylactic reaction to the father's genetic contribution. I believe that it is likely an assortment of contributing factors.

Regardless of the cause, I have seen good diet prevent and even turn around pre-eclampsia. The diet suggested by Dr. Tom Brewer is actually good for all pregnant women. If you have a history of liver or kidney problems, or are concerned about developing pre-eclampsia, you can start the diet before symptoms develop. It certainly won't hurt you, and it just might help! I don't believe this diet will 100% prevent or cure pre-eclampsia, but I have literally seen it turn bad lab values into good ones.