Preeclampsia usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It affects the kidneys, liver, brain, and placenta. It can cause a headache that won’t go away, vision problems, belly pain, and swollen hands and face.

Preeclampsia can be treated with medicine and close monitoring. If not treated, it can be deadly for the mother and baby.

Preeclampsia usually goes away after the baby is born. But symptoms may last a few weeks or more and can get worse after delivery. Rarely, symptoms of preeclampsia don’t show up until days or even weeks after childbirth.