Diagnosis - Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is easily diagnosed during the routine checks you have while you're pregnant.

During these antenatal appointments, your blood pressure is regularly checked for signs of high blood pressure and a urine sample is tested to see if it contains protein.

If you notice any of the symptoms of pre-eclampsia between your antenatal appointments, see your midwife or GP for advice.

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood on artery walls (main blood vessels) as it flows through them.

It's measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as 2 figures:

• systolic pressure – the pressure when the heart beats and squeezes blood out
• diastolic pressure – the pressure when the heart rests between beats

Your GP or midwife will use a device with an inflatable cuff and a scale as a pressure gauge (a sphygmomanometer) to measure your blood pressure.

The systolic reading is taken first, followed by the diastolic reading.

If, for example, the systolic blood pressure is 120mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure is 80mmHg, the overall blood pressure will be 120 over 80, which is commonly written as 120/80.

High blood pressure during pregnancy is usually defined as a systolic reading of 140mmHg or more, or a diastolic reading of 90mmHg or more.

Urine tests

A urine sample is usually requested at every antenatal appointment. This can easily be tested for protein using a dipstick. 

A dipstick is a strip of paper that's been treated with chemicals so it reacts to protein, usually by changing colour.

If the dipstick tests positive for protein, your GP or midwife may ask for another urine sample to send to a laboratory for further tests.

Blood test

If you're between 20 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days pregnant, and your doctors think you may have pre-eclampsia, they may offer you a blood test to help rule out pre-eclampsia.

It measures levels of a protein called placental growth factor (PIGF). If your PIGF levels are high, it's highly likely that you do not have pre-eclampsia.

If your PIGF levels are low, it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, but further tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Further tests in hospital

If you're diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, you should be referred to a specialist in hospital for further tests and more frequent monitoring.

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be able to go home after an initial assessment and have frequent outpatient appointments.

In severe cases, you may need to stay in hospital for closer observation.

Read more about treating pre-eclampsia.