Managing your blood pressure is important before, during and after pregnancy.

Some women who didn’t have high blood pressure (also called hypertension) before pregnancy may develop high blood pressure while pregnant. New-onset high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy without signs of preeclampsia is called gestational hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy that develops after 20 weeks plus high levels of protein in the urine or other signs of organ damage. In some cases, preeclampsia can become severe and lead to health problems which is why it’s important to monitor your blood pressure throughout pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women who did not have diabetes before they were pregnant.

Researchers aren’t sure what causes gestational diabetes, though excess weight before pregnancy may play a role.

Half of all women who had gestational diabetes develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.

When blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, a stroke may occur.

Pregnancy elevates a woman’s stroke risk.

Many women may overlook stroke symptoms as routine issues related to pregnancy.