Gestational Hypertension
What is gestational hypertension?
Some women develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, but it goes away after the baby is born. This is called gestational hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension. It is new-onset high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy without protein in the urine or any severe signs or symptoms of preeclampsia.
What increases the risk of gestational hypertension?
Some things that may increase your risk of gestational hypertension include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
- A history of preeclampsia
- Current or past pregnancy with multiple babies
How is gestational hypertension defined?
Gestational hypertension is defined as blood pressure readings of 140 mm Hg systolic and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic or higher, measured twice, at least four hours apart, after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The woman must:
- Have had normal blood pressure before pregnancy
- Not have protein in the urine
- Not have any severe signs and symptoms of preeclampsia
It can also be confirmed if a woman has a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg or higher and has a similar pressure after a short time. This is to make sure treatment is started promptly.
Learn how to monitor your blood pressure at home.
How is gestational hypertension treated?
Your health care professional will decide the best way to treat gestational hypertension. Treatment may include:
- More frequent prenatal visits
- High blood pressure medications
High blood pressure medications are often recommended when the mother’s blood pressure stays very high.
Your health care professional may choose to start high blood pressure medications earlier based on your:
- Risk factors
- Overall health
- Pregnancy complications
What are the risks of gestational hypertension?
Women with gestational hypertension can be at higher risk of developing:
- Preeclampsia
- Eclampsia
- Stroke
- Early labor
If a woman needs to deliver early (before 37 weeks), the baby may have a low birth weight. Women and their babies who have gestational hypertension are at higher risk for long-term brain and heart health problems.
Is chronic hypertension the same as gestational hypertension?
No, they are different.
- Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure diagnosed before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy in someone who:
- Had normal blood pressure before pregnancy
- Doesn’t have protein in the urine
- Doesn’t have any severe signs and symptoms of preeclampsia
For both diagnoses, 140/90 mm Hg or higher is the threshold for diagnosis.
