There is often a lot to worry about for expectant mums and their babies during pregnancy.
However, some good news has come to light for new parents waiting for the arrival of their little one.
According to the BBC, a simple blood test can now help to spot pre-eclampsia - a potentially dangerous condition in pregnancy - which should be offered to women on the NHS.
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The test is able to check the health of the placenta which provides nutrients and oxygen to the baby in the womb and can indicate any potential problems.
The condition is said to affect up to six per cent of pregnancies and an early diagnosis can save lives says to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
According to the BBC, if low levels of PLGF are detected - a protein that helps the development of new blood vessels in the placenta - it could indicate the placenta is not developing properly.
The results can be available on the same day to allow for a faster diagnosis time and if the test is normal, pre-eclampsia is unlikely to develop at least for the next week.
Jeanette Kusel from NICE said: "These tests represent a step change in the management and treatment of pre-eclampsia.
"This is extremely valuable to doctors and expectant mothers as now they can have increased confidence in their treatment plans and preparing for a safe birth."
Tina Prendeville from Tommy's, a charity funding research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth added: "Tens of thousands of women have already been helped as this testing has been used across the country. With three quarters of maternity units now using it, NICE's consultation is very welcome."
What is pre-eclampsia and what are the symptoms?
According to the NHS pre-eclampsia rarely happens before the 20th week of pregnancy and although less common, the condition can also develop for the first time in the first four weeks after birth.
Most people only experience mild symptoms, but it's important to manage the condition in case severe symptoms or complications develop.
Generally, the earlier pre-eclampsia develops, the more severe the condition will be.
Early signs and symptoms
Initially, pre-eclampsia causes:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Protein in urine (proteinuria)
You probably won't notice any symptoms of either of these, but your GP or midwife should pick them up during your routine antenatal appointments.
High blood pressure alone doesn't suggest pre-eclampsia.
But if protein in the urine is found at the same time as high blood pressure, it's a good indicator of the condition.
Read more about diagnosing pre-eclampsia.
As pre-eclampsia progresses, it may cause:
- Severe headaches
- Vision problems, such as blurring or seeing flashing lights
- Pain just below the ribs
- Vomiting
- Sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands
If you notice any symptoms of pre-eclampsia, get medical advice immediately by calling your GP surgery or NHS 111.
Without immediate treatment, pre-eclampsia may lead to a number of serious complications, including:
- Convulsions (eclampsia)
- HELLP syndrome (a combined liver and blood clotting disorder)
- Stroke
But these complications are rare - Read more about the complications of pre-eclampsia.
Signs in the unborn baby
The main sign of pre-eclampsia in the unborn baby is slow growth. This is caused by poor blood supply through the placenta to the baby.
The growing baby receives less oxygen and fewer nutrients than it should, which can affect development. This is called intra-uterine or foetal growth restriction.
If your baby is growing more slowly than usual, this will normally be picked up during your antenatal appointments, when the midwife or doctor measures you.
