AQW 22025/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 08/09/2021
Answered On Date: 14/01/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what plans he has to ensure that tests for pre-eclampsia are made available.

Answer:

Early signs of pre-eclampsia include having high blood pressure and protein in the urine. All pregnant women who are booked to deliver in Northern Ireland attend antenatal appointments where blood pressure and urine checks are carried out routinely.

If a woman is diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, she will be referred to a specialist in hospital for further tests and more frequent monitoring. In severe cases, the woman may need to stay in hospital for closer observation.