Preeclampsia: Expectant Management

Overview

Expectant management, or observation, is sometimes used to manage a high-risk pregnancy. You may be advised to have expectant management at home or in the hospital. Where you have it depends on how severe your preeclampsia is.

Care at home

If you have signs of preeclampsia early in pregnancy, your doctor or midwife may advise expectant management at home. It might last for many weeks. You may have:

• Daily monitoring.

  You may need to monitor your condition each day. If so, you or another person (such as a trained family member or a visiting nurse) will:

  • Check your blood pressure.
  • Check your weight.
  • Monitor your baby's movements.

  Keep a written record of your results, including the dates and times you checked.

• Frequent prenatal visits.

  You'll see your doctor or midwife more often (usually twice a week). You will have frequent tests to check you and your baby. Take your daily log of symptoms and measurements to these checkups.

Care in the hospital

During expectant management in the hospital, you and your baby will have frequent monitoring and lab tests.