Understanding Your Rights After a Pre-Eclampsia Delayed or Missed Diagnosis

May 18, 2026

Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that occurs during pregnancy and, if not diagnosed and treated quickly, can pose significant risks to both mother and baby. Although it is a relatively well-known condition, delays in diagnosis and treatment still occur, sometimes with life-changing consequences.

22 May is Pre-eclampsia Awareness Day. It aims to raise awareness of the condition and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Campaigns like this highlight the need for expectant mothers and healthcare professionals to recognise the warning signs and act quickly to help prevent serious complications.

In the following article we explain what pre-eclampsia is, how it develops, the warning signs to look out for, and when failures in care may amount to medical negligence.

What is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that can affect women during pregnancy, usually developing after 20 weeks or shortly after giving birth. It is a serious condition caused by a defect in the placenta and high blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common warning signs.

It is often associated with damage to other organs, such as the liver and kidneys. Once identified, mother and baby need urgent medical monitoring and, in some cases, early delivery of the baby may be necessary.

If it is not diagnosed and treated appropriately, pre-eclampsia can progress rapidly and become life-threatening.

Around 3-8% of women who give birth are affected by pre-eclampsia worldwide.

What Causes Pre-eclampsia?

Whilst the exact cause of pre-eclampsia is not fully known or understood, it is thought to be linked to problems with the development of the placenta, particularly the formation and function of blood vessels.

There are a number of risk factors that can increase the chance of pre-eclampsia developing, including:

First pregnancy
Previous history of pre-eclampsia
Multiple pregnancies (twins or more)
Pre-existing high blood pressure or kidney disease
Diabetes
Obesity
Family history of the condition

While these are known factors that can increase risk, pre-eclampsia can also develop in pregnancies with no obvious risk indicators, making consistent monitoring essential.

Common Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia

Symptoms can develop gradually or appear suddenly, and some may seem mild. However, it’s important not to ignore them.

Key symptoms include:

High blood pressure
Protein in the urine (proteinuria)
Severe or persistent headaches
Changes in vision (such as blurring, flashing lights or temporary loss of vision)
Severe pain below the ribs (particularly on the right-hand side)
Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet
Nausea or vomiting
Shortness of breath

In some cases, the symptoms of pre-eclampsia may be barely noticeable, which makes routine antenatal checks crucial for detecting it early.

The Impact of Pre-eclampsia on Mother and Baby

Pre-eclampsia is not just a temporary pregnancy complication, it can have serious, long-term consequences if not managed quickly and properly.

For the mother:

Increased risk of stroke
Organ damage (particularly liver and kidneys)
Seizures (a condition known as eclampsia)
Long-term cardiovascular health issues
In severe cases, risk to life

For the baby:

Restricted growth due to reduced blood flow to the placenta
Low birth weight
Premature birth
Increased need for neonatal intensive care
In severe cases, stillbirth

The emotional and psychological impact on families can also be significant, particularly where complications could have been prevented if there had been earlier intervention.

Potential Complications of Pre-eclampsia

If left untreated or inadequately managed, pre-eclampsia can lead to serious complications, such as:

HELLP Syndrome (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets)
Placental abruption (where the placenta separates from the womb)
Stroke
Heart disease
Multi-organ failure
Premature labour

HELLP syndrome, in particular, is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

How is Pre-eclampsia Diagnosed and Managed?

Diagnosis is usually made during routine antenatal appointments through:

Blood pressure monitoring
Urine testing for protein
Blood tests to assess organ function
Ultrasound scans to monitor the baby’s growth

Management of the condition depends on its severity and the stage of pregnancy but may include:

Close monitoring (sometimes in hospital)
Medication to control blood pressure
Steroid injections to support the baby’s lung development if early delivery is likely
Planned early delivery where necessary

Diagnosing pre-eclampsia early and monitoring it closely are key to reducing risks.

When Can Medical Negligence Occur?

Healthcare professionals have a duty of care to monitor for, and respond to, signs of pre-eclampsia. Unfortunately, failures in care can and do happen.

Medical negligence may arise where there has been:

Failure to recognise or act on symptoms reported by the patient
Failure to carry out routine blood pressure or urine checks
Misinterpretation of test results
Delay in diagnosing pre-eclampsia
Failure to refer to specialist care when required
Delay in initiating appropriate treatment
Failure to act on deteriorating maternal or foetal condition

In some cases, earlier diagnosis or intervention could prevent serious harm to both mother and baby.

Making a Medical Negligence Claim for Pre-eclampsia

If you or a loved one has suffered complications due to delayed diagnosis or treatment of pre-eclampsia, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim.

A successful claim can help to: