High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy

Although many pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems, high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Women with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. However, some women develop high blood pressure while they are pregnant (often called gestational hypertension).

The effects of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother's kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia—or "toxemia of pregnancy"—which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.

• What Is Preeclampsia?


• How Common Are High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy?


• Who Is More Likely to Develop Preeclampsia?


• How Is Preeclampsia Detected?


• How Can Women with High Blood Pressure Prevent Problems During Pregnancy?


• Does Hypertension or Preeclampsia During Pregnancy Cause Long-Term Heart and Blood Vessel Problems?

source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/issues/preg/preg.htm