[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 77 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL PREECLAMPSIA AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2013

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the end of the 
first Preeclampsia Awareness Month.
   Preeclampsia is a life-threatening disorder that can occur during 
pregnancy or the postpartum period and is one of the leading causes of 
maternal mortality and morbidity. Each day hundreds of women and babies 
are affected by this condition, which is marked by a rapid rise in 
blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, organ failure or 
death. Any pregnant woman is at risk, but symptoms are often dismissed 
as typical pregnancy complaints. Knowing the warning signs can help 
lead to more timely diagnoses and improve health outcomes for both the 
woman and her child.
   Unfortunately, few people are adequately aware and informed of the 
risks. That is why I worked with my colleagues Representative Roybal-
Allard and Representative Moore to add Preeclampsia Awareness Month to 
the National Health Observances Calendar.
   We must improve the full scope of maternal health and need continued 
research to advance the field and improve the standard of care. In the 
meantime, we must build awareness to ensure women understand 
preeclampsia and are prepared to appropriately respond to warning 
signs.
   Together we can eliminate preventable maternal death and disability 
by aligning resources, tools, and knowledge to address our most 
troublesome challenges. And this is exactly what the California 
Maternal Quality Care Collaborative is doing in my home state. Just 
this year the Preeclampsia Collaborative began to help hospitals manage 
preeclampsia, reduce complications, and improve care for patients. I 
hope that as preeclampsia awareness grows this will be one of many 
initiatives across the country focused on helping providers deliver 
comprehensive, high quality maternal healthcare.
   Thank you to the Preeclampsia Foundation and the many groups who 
worked tirelessly on behalf of women across the country to secure a 
national recognition. I am proud to be able to help commemorate the end 
of the first ever Preeclampsia Awareness Month and excited to see what 
the future brings.

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