​What is preeclampsia?

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Preeclampsia is a potentially serious complication of pregnancy in which the woman’s blood pressure is elevated and other organs (eg. kidneys, liver, blood) may be affected. There is currently no cure for preeclampsia apart from delivery. This condition may have significant adverse effects for women (both in pregnancy and later in life) and the baby (sometimes requiring very preterm delivery).

  

Why do we screen for preeclampsia?

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There is strong medical evidence that screening all pregnant women at 11-13 weeks & 6 days of gestation to identify those at increased risk of developing preeclampsia, and starting 100 mg aspirin every night until 36 weeks of gestation for those identified at increased risk will significantly reduce the development of preeclampsia. The impact of screening and low-dose aspirin is most effective in reducing the severe form of preeclampsia which occurs before 34 weeks of gestation (reduces the occurrence by 80%). It is an Australian recommendation that this screening is offered to all pregnant women. 

 

How do we screen for preeclampsia?

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At Aurora Imaging we offer preeclampsia screening to all pregnant women at 11-13 weeks and 6 days gestation as a component of the First Trimester Ultrasound assessment. There are 4 components to the screening program:

1. Maternal factors: these include your age, your body mass index, a family or personal history of preeclampsia, multiple pregnancies, your ethnic background.

2. Your blood pressure: this will be taken in both arms at your scheduled visit to Auora Imaging.

3. Your uterine artery blood flow measurement in both uterine arteries – this is taken with ultrasound at the time of the First Trimester Ultrasound at Aurora Imaging.

4. A blood test called PlGF – this currently does not attract a Medicare Rebate and will cost around $50. Whilst it improves the performance of the preeclampsia screening test, it is not a mandatory component and may be omitted if you wish. We will send you a laboratory request form for PlGF so the result is available when you attend your appointment.

 

The above 4 factors (3 if you elect not to have the PlGF) will be entered into a computer program which was designed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation in the United Kingdom and endorsed in Australia by RANZCOG (the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists).

 

How do I receive my screening results and what will I do if I screen at increased risk?

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The screening test results produced by the computer program will be discussed with you at the completion of your visit with us: if you screen at increased risk for preeclampsia we will provide you with a starter pack of low dose aspirin (100 mg) to be taken every night until 36 weeks. Low dose aspirin is believed safe in pregnancy with proven positive effects for placental function and generally no significant side effects.

 

We will ask for your permission to contact your obstetrician after you have had your baby, to assess if you did (or did not) develop preeclampsia, the gestation you delivered at, your baby’s birth weight and any other pregnancy complications. Your pregnancy outcome data is important to assess the effectiveness of the screening program at our imaging practice: no information that identifies you will be released (this maintains your medical confidentiality which is critical to our integrity).