At booking, your midwife may complete a risk assessment for pre-eclampsia, and recommend certain treatments if you are at higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia
Major risk factors
– Antiphospholipid antibodies/systemic lupus erythematosus
– Previous history of pre-eclampsia
– Artificial reproductive technology (oocyte donation)
– Renal disease
– Chronic hypertension
– Previous history of HELLP
– Pre-existing Type 2 diabetes
– Family history of pre-eclampsia in mother/sibling
Minor risk factors
– Nulliparity
– Multiple pregnancy
– Family history of pre-eclampsia (not mother/sibling)
– Paternal family history of pre-eclampsia – father born of pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia
– Genetic ancestry – African/Indian/Māori/Pasifika
– Change in partner
– BMI ≥35
– Maternal age ≥40
– Pregnancy interval >10yr
– Artificial reproductive technology (sperm donation/other)
– diastolic blood pressure >80 at booking
Recommendations
– low risk: no major risk factors: continue with midwifery care as usual
– increased risk: ≥1 major risk factor: low-dose aspirin (100mg at night) from 12-16 weeks through to 36 weeks; calcium (1.5-2.0g) from booking to birth