Women urged to attend clinics as a measure against pre-eclampsia

Women have been advised to attend clinics soon after conceiving, as a measure against pre-eclampsia condition.

Pre-eclampsia is a kind of high blood pressure during pregnancy.

It can happen to any pregnant woman after the 20th week or up to 6 weeks after delivery, and can cause damage to the liver and the kidney.

Addressing the press on the sidelines of World Pre-eclampsia Day celebrations at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre in Kisumu, Dorothy Okemo said the condition is one of the leading causes of maternal death.

She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Access Medicines Platform and Medicines Transparency Alliance.

Okemo said one of the surest ways of preventing the condition is ensuring that expectant mothers attend clinics, from the onset of a pregnancy.

"Everybody in the community, including men has a role of ensuring that pregnant women attend antenatal clinics as early as possible," she said.

This, she said allows medical officers to take ones pressure early enough and ensure that it is normal all the time.

On her part, Dr Emmy Obegi, Kisumu County acting director, medical services said it is important for any woman who plans to get pregnant to visit a health facility early enough.

"The moment you plan to get pregnant, that is the best time to visit a health facility. This is the time to start being given supplements such as iron," she said.

She said that up to 25% of women who visit health facilities in the Lakeside County, normally have high blood pressure.

Organs such as liver and kidney can end up being damaged during pre-eclampsia.

Signs and symptoms include severe headaches, blurred vision, difficulty in breathing and swollen feat and hands.

Besides damage of organs such as liver, the condition can cause brain damage, stroke and death to the mother, while for a baby it can lead to premature birth, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and death.