How Preeclampsia Can Affect Your Baby: What Expectant Parents Should Know

What a preeclampsia diagnosis can mean for your baby

If you’ve been diagnosed with preeclampsia during pregnancy, one of your first questions may be: “How will this affect my baby?”

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that can affect both the mother and the baby. It is characterized by high blood pressure and other signs that the body is being affected by the pregnancy. While your obstetrician (OBGYN) will closely monitor your health and blood pressure, your baby may also need additional monitoring throughout the pregnancy.

The good news is that having preeclampsia does not automatically mean something is wrong with your baby. Many mothers with preeclampsia go on to deliver healthy babies. However, because preeclampsia can affect the placenta and blood flow to the baby, your healthcare team may need to watch your baby’s growth and well-being more closely.

At Prenatal Consulting of Georgia, we help expectant parents better understand what a diagnosis like preeclampsia may mean for their baby and what to expect if an early delivery becomes necessary.

What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition involving high blood pressure and signs that other organs may be affected. It most commonly develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, although it can occur at other times as well.

Because the placenta plays such an important role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to your baby, problems with placental function can affect your baby’s growth and well-being.

Your OBGYN may recommend additional ultrasounds, fetal monitoring, blood tests, or other testing depending on your individual situation.

1. Preeclampsia can affect your baby’s growth

One of the most common concerns with preeclampsia is fetal growth restriction (FGR).

If the placenta isn’t delivering enough oxygen and nutrients to the baby, your baby may not grow as expected. Your OBGYN may therefore recommend additional growth ultrasounds to make sure your baby continues to grow appropriately.

A baby measuring small does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. Some babies are simply naturally smaller. Your healthcare team will look at the baby’s growth pattern, blood flow, and other factors to determine whether there is a concern.

2. Preeclampsia can affect blood flow to your baby

The placenta connects you and your baby throughout pregnancy. When preeclampsia affects placental function, it can change the blood flow between the placenta and baby.

Your medical team may use Doppler ultrasound to evaluate blood flow through the umbilical cord and other blood vessels.

Additional testing, such as a non-stress test (NST) or biophysical profile (BPP), may also be used to monitor your baby’s well-being.

These tests help your healthcare team determine whether your baby is continuing to do well inside the uterus.

3. Preeclampsia can increase the risk of preterm birth

Another important consideration is premature birth.

Sometimes, the safest option for both mother and baby is to deliver the baby before the due date. This may happen if the mother’s preeclampsia becomes severe or if testing suggests that the baby may no longer be thriving safely in the womb.

An early delivery can be frightening for parents. But it’s important to understand that delivery is sometimes recommended because continuing the pregnancy may pose greater risks than being born early.

If an early delivery is being considered, your OBGYN may discuss medications that can help prepare your baby’s lungs and reduce certain complications associated with premature birth.

What happens if my baby needs to be delivered early?

If your baby needs to be delivered prematurely because of preeclampsia, your care team will consider several factors, including:

• How many weeks pregnant you are
• Your baby’s growth and estimated weight
• Your baby’s heart rate and overall well-being
• Blood flow through the placenta and umbilical cord
• The severity of your preeclampsia
• Your health and symptoms

What NICU care could involve

Depending on how early your baby is born and how your baby is doing after delivery, your baby may need care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

A premature or growth-restricted baby may need additional support with breathing, feeding, maintaining body temperature, or blood sugar.

Needing NICU care does not necessarily mean your baby is seriously ill. Sometimes premature babies simply need extra time and support while they mature.

Will my baby have long-term problems because of preeclampsia?

Not necessarily. Every pregnancy and every baby is different.

The potential effects of preeclampsia on a baby depend on many factors. These include when it develops, how well the placenta is functioning, whether the baby has growth restriction, and how early the baby needs to be delivered.

This is one reason your healthcare team may recommend frequent monitoring. The goal is to identify potential problems early and determine the safest time for delivery.

When should I meet with a neonatologist?

If you’ve been diagnosed with preeclampsia and there is a possibility that your baby may need to be delivered early, you may benefit from speaking with a neonatologist before delivery.

A neonatologist is a pediatrician who specializes in caring for newborns, particularly premature and medically complex babies.

A prenatal consultation can help you understand:

• What may happen if your baby is born prematurely
• What NICU care could look like
• What medical support your baby might need after birth
• How your baby’s gestational age may affect their care
• What questions to ask your OBGYN and hospital team
• What you can expect during the first hours and days after delivery

If you have preeclampsia, you’re not alone

Having this information before you need it can help replace some of the fear of the unknown with a better understanding of what to expect.

Being diagnosed with preeclampsia can be overwhelming, especially when your biggest concern is your baby’s health.

Remember that preeclampsia is a diagnosis—not a prediction of your baby’s outcome.

Your healthcare team will continue to monitor both you and your baby and make recommendations based on how your pregnancy is progressing.

And it’s okay to ask questions.

You deserve to understand what’s happening, why additional monitoring is necessary, and what different possible outcomes could mean for your baby.

Prenatal neonatology consultations in Georgia

At Prenatal Consulting of Georgia, Dr. Terri Traub Mann, a board-certified neonatologist and pediatrician, provides personalized prenatal consultations for expectant parents who want additional education and support during pregnancy.

If you have preeclampsia, fetal growth concerns, a high-risk pregnancy, or the possibility of a premature delivery, a prenatal consultation can help you feel more informed and prepared for your baby’s arrival.

You don’t have to wait until your baby is born to start asking questions about your baby’s care.

Knowledge doesn’t eliminate uncertainty, but it can help you feel more prepared for whatever comes next.