Pre-Eclampsia In Pregnancy: Kim Kardashian’s Attempting To Lower Her Risk Of Developing It For A Second Time – But Is It Possible?

Kim Kardashian only recently announced that she's expecting baby number two and now the mum-of-one's admitted she's hired a nutritionist to help avoid developing pre-eclampsia for a second time.

The ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star experienced the pregnancy condition when pregnant with her first child, North, and went into labour five weeks early as a result.

The reality star has revealed she’s been instructed to reduce her sodium intake and drink plenty of water to help avoid another pre-eclampsia attack.

She previously confessed that her experience with the pregnancy condition was so traumatic that it put her off trying for a second baby – temporarily at least.

“The pregnancy, I wouldn’t really wish that upon anyone,” she said on 'The Ellen Degeneres Show' in 2013. “It’s all worth it in the end, so I would definitely go through that, but pregnancy was not a good experience for me. At all.”

This time around, Kim’s says she's been keeping a close eye on what she eats in the hope that it will help avoid another pre-eclampsia bout - and no doubt keep her weight gain to a minimum.

“The last pregnancy, I ate a donut every single day, I’m not doing that this time,” Kim told US Weekly. “To be honest, I’ve had really bad morning sickness, day sickness, night sickness. I can barely get out of bed.

“It’s a very different type of pregnancy from my first one. But I’m so grateful to be pregnant when we didn’t even think it was going to happen for us. I don’t care how sick I am."

Pre-eclampsia (previously known as toxemia) affects around five per cent of pregnant women during the second half of pregnancy or after their baby is delivered.

It’s characterised by high blood pressure and large amounts of protein in the urine – a result of it leaking from the kidneys. Other symptoms include swollen feet and ankles, vision problems, headaches and pain below the ribs.

But despite Kim’s best efforts, there’s really no avoiding pre-eclampsia says Michelle Lyne, a professional advisor and midwife at The Royal College of Midwives. Instead, early diagnosis and treatment is the key to beating it.

“There is no real known cause but lots of theories that might pre dispose some women to it,” she explains. “What is important is that it’s picked up as early as possible, which is why it’s crucial to see your midwife regularly.”

Pre-eclampsia can be a serious condition during pregnancy because often the symptoms aren’t obvious – some can even resemble the ‘normal’ effects of pregnancy on a woman’s body.

“Pre-eclampsia and hypertension quite often display no symptoms and in some cases may only be detected during routine blood pressure and urine checks undertaken by your midwife,” says Michelle.

“However, if you do get symptoms, these may include, bad headaches, visual disturbances, sensitivity to light, pain just below the ribs, vomiting or a sudden swelling of the face, hands and feet.

“If you get any of the symptoms listed above, or have any reason to think you have pre-eclampsia, contact your midwife or doctor as soon as possible.”

Have you or anyone you know suffered from pre-eclampsia? Let us know in the comments.

[Kim Kardashian Reportedly Suffered From Pre-Eclampsia Before Giving Birth To Her Baby Daughter]

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