What Is Preeclampsia?

September 15, 2025

Expecting a baby is a very special time. It is also a time when you may be susceptible to getting unexpected health conditions. One of those is preeclampsia, which can feel symptomless but can be very serious.

Pregnant women can develop high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy or up to six weeks after having their babies. High blood pressure during pregnancy and in the first six weeks postpartum is when your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg. Fortunately, it is easily found during routine prenatal care visits. So, be sure to go to all of your prenatal appointments and have your blood pressure checked regularly.

High blood pressure is only one symptom of preeclampsia. Other possible warning signs include:

Severe headache
Changes in vision
Swelling in legs, hands or face
Sudden weight gain
Feeling nauseated or vomiting
Pain in right upper abdomen
Trouble breathing

Another possible sign of preeclampsia is having protein in your urine.

Similarly, gestational hypertension is pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. Pregnant women can develop high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy or up to 12 weeks after having their babies. High blood pressure is when your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mm Hg. Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure may go away after childbirth.

What You Can Do

Make sure you go to all your prenatal visits. There's no guaranteed way to prevent pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. However, the effects of common risk factors like obesity and a history of high blood pressure can be minimized with exercise and a healthy diet.

If you develop preeclampsia, your provider will keep a close eye on you and your baby. Some women with preeclampsia require hospitalization and early delivery. If you developed high blood pressure during your pregnancy, your provider will closely watch your blood pressure after delivery. It’s important you follow your provider’s advice.

“Pregnancy acts like a natural stress test for the heart; it can uncover hidden issues with blood pressure regulation, inflammation and vascular function,” explains Heidi Nicewarner, MD, Overlake Clinics Cardiology. “Conditions like preeclampsia don’t just affect pregnancy; they offer important clues about a woman’s future cardiovascular risk."