May is National Preeclampsia Awareness Month 5-26-26
May 26, 2026
May is National Preeclampsia Awareness Month
MOBILE, Ala. — May is National Preeclampsia Awareness Month, an annual campaign dedicated to educating pregnant and postpartum individuals about a life-threatening, pregnancy-specific blood pressure disorder.
The Mobile County Health Department’s Maternal & Child Health Program wishes to highlight the importance of this observance. They want to be sure every family has the information they need to stay healthy.
The March of Dimes reports Preeclampsia affects about 1 in 25 pregnancies in the U.S. It’s a multisystem disorder of pregnancy diagnosed by new-onset high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy, or even up to six weeks after delivery. And while it is serious, early detection and proper care can dramatically improve outcomes for both mom and baby.
Do you know your risk factors?
Talk to your provider right away if you have even one of these risks:
- You’ve had preeclampsia before
- You’re pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets)
- You have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, or an autoimmune disease like lupus
Know the signs
It’s possible to have preeclampsia without any symptoms, which is why attending all prenatal visits is so important. But watch out for:
- High blood pressure
- Changes in vision: blurriness, flashing lights, or sensitivity to light
- A headache that won’t go away
- Nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
- Pain in the upper right belly or shoulder
- Sudden weight gain (2-5 pounds in a week)
- Swelling in legs, hands, or face
- Trouble breathing