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Experts Develop Comprehensive Plan for Preventing Preeclampsia in Pregnant Individuals at Risk

Experts have developed a comprehensive care plan to prevent preeclampsia in pregnant individuals at risk for the potentially dangerous blood pressure disorder. The care plan, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, outlines specific recommendations for healthcare providers with at-risk pregnant patients, including conducting risk assessments, initiating low-dose aspirin therapy, implementing behavior strategies such as diet counseling and exercise, and monitoring for signs of preeclampsia.

Some of the main recommendations included in the care plan for healthcare providers with pregnant patients at risk of preeclampsia are:

1. Conducting risk assessments during the first prenatal visit using social determinants of health and developing a care plan accordingly.

2. If necessary, starting low-dose aspirin therapy between 12 and 28 weeks of gestation.

3. Implementing behavior strategies such as dietary counseling, taking vitamin D and calcium supplements, exercising appropriately, and getting enough high-quality sleep to reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

4. Pregnant individuals should also monitor their blood pressure at home, watch for signs of preeclampsia, and follow their doctor's recommended lifestyle and behavioral changes.

The authors say that soon, healthcare providers will likely have access to testing techniques such as the Mirvie RNA platform, which could help predict and prevent preeclampsia and its life-threatening complications.