Pregnancy is an exciting and life-changing time, but it can also come with unexpected health concerns. One issue that’s becoming more common is high blood pressure during pregnancy, known medically as “hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.” It sounds serious—and it can be—but with early detection and proper care, most women and babies do just fine.
Let’s break down what this means in plain English and why it matters.
What Is High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?
There are several types of high blood pressure problems that can happen when you’re pregnant:
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Chronic hypertension: This means you already had high blood pressure before getting pregnant or it showed up before the 20-week mark.
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Gestational hypertension: This develops after 20 weeks but usually doesn’t involve other health issues.
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Preeclampsia: This is a more serious condition where high blood pressure is combined with signs that your organs (like your liver or kidneys) aren’t working quite right.
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Eclampsia: A very dangerous form of preeclampsia that can cause seizures.
These conditions can affect both you and your baby, so they’re taken very seriously by doctors.
Why Is This Happening More Often?
According to recent data from the Mayo Clinic, more and more women are being diagnosed with these conditions during pregnancy. In 2019, about 16% of women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals had some form of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Why the increase? Two major reasons:
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Women are having babies later in life. As we get older, our risk of high blood pressure goes up.
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More women are starting pregnancy with other health issues, such as obesity or diabetes, which can also raise the risk.
What Can Go Wrong?
High blood pressure in pregnancy isn’t just about numbers—it can cause real problems if left untreated.
For moms, it can lead to:
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Organ damage
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Premature separation of the placenta (which is dangerous for both mom and baby)
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A higher chance of heart disease later in life
For babies, it can cause:
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Slower growth (because not enough blood and nutrients are getting through the placenta)
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Premature birth
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Higher risk of having blood pressure problems themselves later on
Scary? Yes. But again, with early care, many of these risks can be managed.
How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?
The good news is that doctors are getting better at spotting these issues early. At the Mayo Clinic, researchers have even created a new tool that helps diagnose high blood pressure in pregnancy more accurately and quickly.
Here’s what care might include:
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Regular checkups to monitor your blood pressure and look for protein in your urine (a sign of preeclampsia)
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Medications to help keep your blood pressure under control
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Close monitoring of your baby’s growth
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Early delivery, if it looks like staying pregnant is putting you or your baby at risk
Also, don’t assume the problem ends after the baby is born—some women develop postpartum preeclampsia days or even weeks after delivery, so it’s important to keep checking in with your doctor.
What About the Long Term?
One important thing to know: having high blood pressure during pregnancy doesn’t just affect you now—it can increase your chances of heart disease later on. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your heart health even after the baby is born.
Final Thoughts
While high blood pressure in pregnancy is becoming more common, it’s also more manageable than ever thanks to advances in medicine and better awareness. If you’re pregnant—or planning to be—make sure to talk to your doctor about your blood pressure and overall health. And if something feels off, speak up. Your body and your baby are worth it.
Stay informed, stay healthy, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
