Eclampsia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Eclampsia?
An obstetrician, a doctor who cares for women during pregnancy and birth, treats eclampsia. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist, a doctor for high-risk pregnancies, may also help. Eclampsia needs emergency care. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is eclampsia?
Eclampsia is the new onset of seizures or coma in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia. These seizures are not related to an existing brain condition.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy problem in which a woman has high blood pressure and other findings. The high blood pressure can reduce the blood supply to the baby. Then the baby may get less oxygen and fewer nutrients. Most women with preeclampsia do not go on to have eclampsia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of eclampsia include:
- Seizures.
- Severe agitation.
- Unconsciousness.
- Confusion and a change in how alert you are.
Most women have signs of preeclampsia before the seizure. These include headaches, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, and swelling of the hands and face. Vision problems can include loss of vision, blurred vision, double vision, or missing areas in what you see. Preeclampsia symptoms can also include high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause of eclampsia is not known. Blood vessel problems, nervous system factors, diet, and genes may play a role. Too little blood flow to the placenta could also contribute. It is hard to predict which women with preeclampsia will have seizures.
Women at high risk of seizures often have severe preeclampsia. Signs can include abnormal blood and urine tests, headaches, very high blood pressure, vision changes, and belly pain.
Your chance of preeclampsia is higher if you:
- Are 35 or older, or are a teen.
- Are African American.
- Are pregnant for the first time.
- Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.
- Are having more than one baby, such as twins or triplets.
- Are obese.
- Have a family history of preeclampsia.
- Have an autoimmune disorder.
- Had in vitro fertilization or have a history of a blood clotting disorder.
How doctors diagnose it
Providers check a pregnant woman's blood pressure at each prenatal visit. If it is high, especially after 20 weeks of pregnancy, they do more tests.
After a seizure, the provider does a physical exam to look for causes. Your blood pressure and breathing rate are checked often. Blood and urine tests may check blood clotting factors, liver function, platelet count, hemoglobin level, and protein in the urine.
Treatment
The main treatment to prevent severe preeclampsia from becoming eclampsia is giving birth to the baby. Letting the pregnancy go on can be dangerous for you and the baby. Your provider may give you medicine to prevent seizures. These medicines are called anticonvulsants. You may also get medicine to lower high blood pressure.
If your blood pressure stays high, delivery may be needed, even before the due date. Symptoms can last even after delivery.
Women with eclampsia or preeclampsia have a higher risk of the placenta separating from the womb wall, early birth, blood clotting problems, and stroke. They also have a higher risk of infant death and maternal death.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have a seizure, are much less alert than usual, or have a severe headache, vision loss, severe pain in the upper right belly, bright red vaginal bleeding, or trouble breathing. Preeclampsia can also start in the weeks after childbirth, so these signs matter after you go home too.
Call your provider right away if you have little or no movement in the baby, swelling of the face or hands, or nausea or vomiting.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can check your blood pressure, review warning signs, and help you stay on track with prenatal care. They can coordinate with your obstetrician.
Common questions
Can eclampsia be prevented?
It may be. Getting treatment for preeclampsia may prevent eclampsia. Medical care during the whole pregnancy helps providers find and treat problems such as preeclampsia early. Low-dose aspirin may lower the risk of preeclampsia in some women, but do not start it on your own. Ask your ob-gyn.
Does everyone with preeclampsia get eclampsia?
No. Most women with preeclampsia do not go on to have eclampsia. It is hard to predict which women will.
Is eclampsia dangerous for the baby?
Yes, it can be. Women with eclampsia or preeclampsia have a higher risk of early birth that leads to problems in the baby. They also have a higher risk of infant death. Risks to the baby also include lack of oxygen and nutrients, and stillbirth.
What is the difference between preeclampsia and eclampsia?
Eclampsia is when a pregnant woman with preeclampsia has seizures or coma. Preeclampsia is the earlier problem, with high blood pressure and other findings.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Eclampsia
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
