Blood tests for investigating maternal wellbeing. 6. Blood tests for investigating pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia complicates between 2 per cent and 8 per cent of pregnancies, and safe care for mother and baby depends on early recognition of signs and symptoms, as well as timely investigation and referral. An understanding of the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia is essential for the midwife as she is the practitioner most likely to recognise the disease as it presents. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia, a summary of risk factors and an overview of laboratory tests that may be requested by the midwife. The article focuses on communication between the midwife and woman with an emphasis on holistic care.