How Black Women Can Detect Preeclampsia Early and Advocate for Better Care

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Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that often shows up after 20 weeks. Do you know how to detect preeclampsia? Picture this: It’s marked by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organs, most often the liver or kidneys. But what makes it dangerous isn’t just what it does.

It’s how quietly it arrives.
Headaches.
Swelling.
A shift in your baby’s movement.

They seem like normal pregnancy symptoms, until they’re not. And for Black women, this silence is even more dangerous. We are 60% more likely to develop preeclampsia and 5 times more likely to die from it. Not because our bodies are broken, but because our voices are often dismissed. This article and the podcast episode, Preeclampsia: Early Detection and Advocacy Tools, offer tools to change that by enabling you to better learn how to detect preeclampsia.

Listen to the Podcast Episode on Rooted Will, Rising Advocate Podcast, Preeclampsia: Early Detection and Advocacy Tools

Know Your Normal—So You Can Name What’s Not

Every woman’s pregnancy experience is different. That’s why the first step in protecting yourself is getting familiar with your own normal.

Are your headaches frequent or brand new?
Do your ankles usually swell?
Is your vision changing?

If something doesn’t feel right, trust yourself. You know your body better than anyone. If a symptom feels sudden or strange, write it down. Say it out loud. Don’t wait.

Track Your Blood Pressure Like Your Life Depends On It

Because sometimes? It does. High blood pressure is the biggest red flag and just the beginning in helping you detect preeclampsia. But you don’t have to wait for a doctor’s appointment to track it.

3 Ways to Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home:

Use an at-home cuff (many Medicaid programs cover them!)
Visit your local pharmacy for free readings
Download a BP tracking app or use a paper log

If your top number (systolic) is 140+, or your bottom number (diastolic) is 90+, especially after 20 weeks, bring it to your provider’s attention. One high reading may be brushed off. But several? That’s data. That’s power.

Document All Symptoms—Even the “Small” Ones

Preeclampsia doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers, and you have have to empower yourself to detect preeclampsia symptoms.

Write down:

Headaches that won’t go away
Swelling in your hands, face, or feet
Blurred or flashing vision
Pain in your upper right belly
Feeling short of breath
Low urine output
Reduced fetal movement

If your baby isn’t moving as much, or something just feels off, don’t second-guess it.

Keep a symptom tracker handy. Show it at appointments. Ask your provider to take your notes seriously.

Bring an Advocate to Speak with You or for You

Having a second voice in the room can save your life. Advocates are a fantastic asset. This statement is particularly true when you are vulnerable. Who can be an advocate? A partner, best friend, doula, or mother can be an advocate. Bring someone who can:

Ask follow-up questions
Push back if something is dismissed
Support your requests for tests, referrals, or second opinions

It shouldn’t have to be this way. Fixing the system is an ongoing work in progress. We have to be vigilant about ways to protect ourselves within it.

Ask About Labs, Monitoring & Coverage

Don’t leave your care to chance. Ask your provider directly:

“Can we check for protein in my urine today?”
“Would it make sense to run blood tests for liver or kidney function?”
“Do you offer home monitoring programs for patients at risk of preeclampsia?”

Many of these programs—including BP cuffs, urine test strips, and symptom logs, are covered by Medicaid or insurance. You just have to ask.

If Your Doctor Says ‘Admit’—Here’s Why

You may be admitted to the hospital if you show signs of:

Sustained high blood pressure
Abnormal labs (liver enzymes, platelets)
Decreased fetal movement
Severe swelling or pain
Danger signs of organ damage

This isn’t punishment—it’s protection. In some cases, you may receive:

Blood pressure meds
Magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures
Steroids to prepare your baby’s lungs
Induction or C-section if delivery becomes the safest option

You Deserve to Be Heard. You Deserve to Be Safe.

You are not overreacting.
You are not being dramatic.
You are protecting your life—and your baby’s.

When you know what to look for and how to speak up, you turn vulnerability into strength. You are not powerless in this system. You are a warrior. You are worthy. And you are already advocating.