Gestational Hypertension Management

Having high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to serious complications. MaineHealth has services and care that help prevent and educate mothers on how to avoid and treat high blood pressure before, during and after pregnancy.

What is gestational hypertension?

Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The high blood pressure usually goes away after the baby is delivered. Women who have gestational hypertension have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure after pregnancy.

Make a plan with your provider about what to do to control your blood pressure during pregnancy.

Gestational hypertension risk factors

Gestational hypertension tends to affect women who:

• Are first-time mothers

• Are carrying multiple babies

• Are younger than 20 years old

• Are older than 40 years old

• Have a family history of gestational hypertension

• Had high blood pressure or kidney disease before pregnancy

Having gestational hypertension can lead to:

• Preeclampsia

• Placental abruption

• Gestational diabetes

• Pre-term delivery

• Low birth weight

• Infant death

Gestational hypertension symptoms

High blood pressure does not show any symptoms. This is why it is so important to know your blood pressure, and have a routine physical exam that checks all your vital signs, including blood pressure.