Action on Pre-Eclampsia (APEC)
Pre-eclampsia is the most common of the serious complications of pregnancy and is caused by a defect in the placenta, which joins the mother and baby and supplies the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s blood. While we do not know yet exactly what the root cause of the disease is, medical science is expanding our knowledge every day. By definition, pre-eclampsia occurs after 20 weeks (but in very rare cases can occur earlier) and the majority of cases occur in the third trimester.
Action on Pre-Eclampsia provides information about pre-eclampsia to members of the public and support to those affected by pre-eclampsia. Their aim is to raise public and professional awareness of pre-eclampsia, improve care, and ease or prevent physical and emotional suffering caused by the disease. APEC is a charity registered in the UK. They run a helpline and provide information to members of the public who are affected by pre-eclampsia – be it pregnant women, their family and friends and anyone worried about pre-eclampsia. They run study days for midwives and health professionals who work with pregnant women, providing expert training on detection and management of pre-eclampsia. They also facilitate a unique expert referral service, whereby women can be referred by their GPs to an expert on pre-eclampsia in their area. APEC also provides leaflets to hospitals and maternity units informing women about pre-eclampsia and the importance of antenatal care.
Whilst APEC is a national charity they are able to operate with a small, dedicated team thus keeping their overheads as low as possible ensuring that money donated is used effectively to further their charitable work.
There are a variety of ways for you to get in touch with APEC including: • Telephone helpline: 01386 761 848 • Email – info@apec.org.uk • Website – www.action-on-pre-eclampsia.org.uk • Post – The Stables, 80B High Street, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4EU • Twitter – www.twitter.com/APEC_UK • Facebook – www.facebook.com/APEC.UK
Wolferstans is fully supportive of the Baby Loss Awareness campaign and more information can be found on our website here.