But I had read that one of the reasons why women having ther first babies suffer from it at an higher rate, is that they have not had much exposure to their husband's semen before their pregnancy. (For instance, I had a C-section for PIH, and I had gotted pregnant just 6 weeks after our wedding.) Women who use condoms as a contraceptive before they become pregnant, also have a higher rate of preeclampsia, and possibly for the same reason: the condom prevents contact with their husband's semen, and thus they have not had the frequent exposure which is protective by lessening the risk of a preeclampsia immune reaction.
Or so they say.
OTOH, I was also told (this was 24 years ago) that not getting enough protein during pregnancy was a risk factor, and I was encouraged to try for 100 g protein daily. Man, that's a lot of protein! --- and, as I mentioned, I still developed PIH, resulting in the doctor's recommendation of a C-section (and he was a conservative, as-natural-as-possible OBGYN who had a reputation for resisting C-sections unless there was a clear indication.)
that part about blood flow to the uterus could explain why it is more common in first babies (where the uterus has never been "stretched" before) and in moms with twins.
When I was in medical school, it was most common with Southern women, and this was felt to be due to lack of protein in the diet.
Whenever the paper has a "new" theory, I am always skeptical.
I am happy your doc insisted on giving you a Caesarian. The way to keep pre eclampsia from going into the full eclampsia (seizures) is to deliver as quickly as possible, and usually this means a C section.
If you follow "Downton Abby", one of the girls dies of eclampsia and the BBC series "Call the Midwife" also had a eclampsia death.