Prenatal education is an opportunity for improved outcomes in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: results from an Internet-based survey

Abstract

Current prenatal care (PNC) practice guidelines provide little information on educating patients about preeclampsia. Our survey of 754 women who visited the Preeclampsia Foundation website found that most received PNC and regular screenings, but only 42% “definitely” recalled specific education about preeclampsia; furthermore, only half “fully understood” the explanation. However, 27 of the 169 women (75.0%) who understood acted on this knowledge by promptly reporting symptoms and complying with treatment. Of the 46 who did not remember some or any of the education, 3 (6.0%) took any action; the difference between these two groups is highly significant. We conclude that knowledge enables women to spot signs and symptoms, leading to earlier diagnosis and management, and reduced morbidity and mortality. We propose the adoption of formal guidelines on preeclampsia education.

• Eclampsia
• gestational hypertension
• patient education
• preeclampsia
• pregnancy
• prenatal care

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank J. Thomas Viall for help in refining questionnaire items and Annika Glass for her literature review. They are also grateful to the many women who gave their time and contributed their experiences to this study.