In this section of the website, you can find out about the experiences of women who had pre-eclampsia (a disorder of blood pressure in pregnancy) and HELLP syndrome (a complication of pre-eclampsia which also involves liver and platelet function).

Our researchers talked to 41 people in total, which included women who had pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, their partners, and some women who took part in a medical study about self-monitoring blood pressure in pregnancy to improve the diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia. Find out what people said about topics such as symptoms, staying in hospital, giving birth, recovery and the emotional impact.

We hope you find the information helpful and reassuring.

Throughout the website, we have tried to explain medical terms related to pre-eclampsia and blood pressure in pregnancy in a way that is easy to understand. Sometimes other terms related to pregnancy and birth more generally have been used. It may be helpful to see our other sites on pregnancy and children, which includes experiences of breastfeeding and making decisions about birth after caesarean section.

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists website also includes a glossary of some key terms (see the Resources).

This section is based on research by The University of Oxford.