High blood pressure during pregnancy, also known as preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, is a condition that can develop at any time during pregnancy.
About Preeclampsia (Video)
In this short video, you can learn about signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to take care of yourself and your baby.
Boston Medical Center is here to help you have the safest pregnancy and birth. Talk to your provider if you have any questions or want to learn more about preeclampsia.
In this short video, you can learn about signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to take care of yourself and your baby.
Boston Medical Center is here to help you have the safest pregnancy and birth. Talk to your provider if you have any questions or want to learn more about preeclampsia.
In this short video, you can learn about signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to take care of yourself and your baby.
Boston Medical Center is here to help you have the safest pregnancy and birth. Talk to your provider if you have any questions or want to learn more about preeclampsia.
In this short video, you can learn about signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to take care of yourself and your baby.
Boston Medical Center is here to help you have the safest pregnancy and birth. Talk to your provider if you have any questions or want to learn more about preeclampsia.
In this short video, you can learn about signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to take care of yourself and your baby.
Boston Medical Center is here to help you have the safest pregnancy and birth. Talk to your provider if you have any questions or want to learn more about preeclampsia.
What Are the Symptoms of Preeclampsia?
Pregnant people who have preeclampsia may experience the following:
- Headache
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Abdominal pain
Is Preeclampsia Harmful?
- For unborn babies, preeclampsia can be harmful because it may cause the baby to grow more slowly and can cause preterm (early) birth
- For the pregnant person, preeclampsia can lead to seizures, decrease in organ function, and in some cases, death
Who Is at Risk?
- Preeclampsia affects one out of every 20 pregnancies.
- At BMC, three out of 10 women have high blood pressure in pregnancy.
People at high risk of developing preeclampsia include those who:
- Have an autoimmune disease
- Have a history of high blood pressure (chronic or during pregnancy)
- Have a history of diabetes
- Have a history of kidney problems
- Are pregnant with multiples (twins or triplets)
Moderate risk factors for developing preeclampsia include:
- Age of 35 or older during pregnancy
- Family history of preeclampsia
- First pregnancy
- High body fat (BMI greater than 30)
- Identity of Black or African American
- More than 10 years since having a previous baby
- Previously having had a baby with low birth weight
How Can At-Risk Patients Prevent Complications from Preeclampsia?
Prenatal aspirin (low-dose, 81 mg aspirin, also called “baby aspirin”) is recommended for people whose pregnancies are at a moderate or high risk of developing preeclampsia. When that is the case, taking aspirin will not harm the pregnant person or the unborn baby.
The main benefits of taking low-dose prenatal aspirin are:
- Lowers risk of premature birth
- Lowers risk of baby being low birth weight
- Works within the placenta
- Safe for parent and baby
Patients should speak with their provider to see if they may be a good candidate for prenatal aspirin.