(1) Long term survival of mothers was addressed in 1976 by Chesley et al, who found no increased mortality in white women who had eclampsia in their first pregnancy.(2) For example, it may be hypothesized that recurrence of eclampsia in pregnant women is more common in those that have family history of hypertension.(3) Anticonvulsant drugs may also be prescribed to protect against convulsions due to eclampsia .(4) In rare instances, it can progress to a life-threatening condition called eclampsia .(5) We determined whether a recorded history of gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia or eclampsia predicted cardiovascular disease in later life, as indicated by measures of mortality and morbidity.(6) An eclamptic fit indicates serious underlying disease and is usually self limiting and not inherently life threatening, although undesirable.(7) Although the specific mechanism of eclamptic seizures is not known, these seizures appear to be the result of more than simple hypertensive encephalopathy.(8) Over 63 000 women die annually after eclamptic convulsions, with 99% of these deaths occurring in low and middle income countries.(9) We decided to proceed to caesarean section, but shortly after the epidural she had an eclamptic fit, so she was delivered under general anaesthetic.(10) Three episodes of eclamptic seizures are expected each year.
