Hearing the words "your blood pressure is a little high" during pregnancy can be unsettling. Many mothers immediately wonder whether the baby is safe, what they did wrong and what happens next. The honest answer is that you did nothing wrong, and with regular checks most problems can be picked up early.
This guide explains preeclampsia (also written pre-eclampsia) in plain language: what it is, the symptoms to watch for, who is more likely to get it, which tests are used, how it is managed and how you can lower your risk.
Quick answer: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition in which blood pressure rises (140/90 or higher) after 20 weeks, usually with protein in the urine or other signs that organs such as the kidneys or liver are under strain. It often has no symptoms at first, which is why blood pressure and urine are checked at every antenatal visit. It can also appear in the days or weeks after birth.
Preeclampsia is linked to the placenta, the organ that feeds the baby. When the placenta does not develop or work as it should, it can affect the mother's blood vessels, and blood pressure rises. The exact cause is not fully understood.
The WHO fact sheet updated on 6 October 2026 says pre-eclampsia affects about 3-8% of women who give birth worldwide. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the main causes of maternal illness and death globally. That is why antenatal care focuses so much on a simple blood pressure reading.
Health officials have also recently asked staff to identify high blood pressure in pregnant women at an early stage. The message for families is reassuring rather than alarming: regular checks work, and they are easy to do.
In simple words
Many women feel completely well in the early stage. Preeclampsia is often first noticed at a routine visit, when the blood pressure reading or urine test is abnormal. As it progresses, the NHS lists these symptoms:
Mild swelling of the feet is common in normal pregnancy, especially in warm, humid weather. What matters is sudden swelling, particularly of the face and hands, or swelling along with any of the other symptoms above.
Any pregnant woman can develop preeclampsia, but the NHS lists factors that make it more likely:
If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor at your first antenatal visit. It helps your care team plan checks and decide whether preventive medicine is suitable.
People often search for "preeclampsia vs eclampsia" because the names sound similar. They are related but not the same. This table shows the difference in simple terms:
| Condition | What it means | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic (pre-existing) hypertension | High blood pressure before pregnancy or before 20 weeks | Needs closer checks; can lead to preeclampsia |
| Gestational hypertension | New high BP (140/90 or more) after 20 weeks, without protein or organ signs | Monitored closely as some women go on to develop preeclampsia |
| Preeclampsia | New high BP after 20 weeks plus protein in urine or other organ signs | Regular BP, urine, blood tests and baby scans |
| Eclampsia | Seizures (fits) in a woman with preeclampsia | An emergency treated in hospital |
| HELLP syndrome | A form affecting the blood and liver (breakdown of red cells, raised liver enzymes, low platelets) | An emergency treated in hospital |
Diagnosis is based on simple checks done at every antenatal visit. According to ACOG, high blood pressure in pregnancy means a reading of 140/90 or higher, and severe readings are 160/110 or higher. The WHO describes pre-eclampsia as blood pressure of 140/90 or more along with protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
One high reading does not always mean preeclampsia. Your doctor may repeat the reading after you rest, ask you to come back for another check, or ask you to monitor your blood pressure at home. If you are asked to check at home, sit quietly for a few minutes first, use the same arm each time and write the numbers down to show at your next visit.
If preeclampsia is suspected, your care team may arrange some or all of these tests:
Blood pressure in pregnancy is often checked alongside other common conditions. Our guides on the gestational diabetes test and thyroid in pregnancy explain those checks.
Key points so far
The only way to fully resolve preeclampsia is to deliver the baby and placenta. Until then, the aim is to keep mother and baby safe and to let the pregnancy continue for as long as it is safe to do so. Treatment depends on how severe the condition is and how many weeks pregnant you are.
If you are diagnosed, you may be asked to come in more often. That can feel tiring, but each visit gives your team the information they need to plan the safest timing of birth for you and your baby.
Preeclampsia can begin or continue after delivery, usually within the first few days but sometimes up to about six weeks later. The NHS advises that your blood pressure continues to be checked after the birth, and some women need to keep taking blood pressure medicine for a while.
New mothers are often busy and may ignore a headache or swelling. Please do not. The same warning signs apply after birth, and it is worth contacting your doctor if they appear.
There is no way to completely prevent preeclampsia, but the risk can be lowered for some women:
A healthy, balanced diet, gentle activity if your doctor agrees, and good rest all support a healthy pregnancy in general. Our article on common pregnancy complications gives a wider overview.
Having had preeclampsia once makes it more likely in a later pregnancy, and it is linked with higher blood pressure and heart health risks later in life. This is not a reason to worry, but it is a good reason for a check-up before your next pregnancy and regular blood pressure checks in the years ahead. Tell your doctor about it at your first visit next time, so that preventive aspirin can be considered early.
At Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre, our gynaecology services include pregnancy and maternity care and high-risk pregnancy monitoring for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. If you have a risk factor or a high reading, you can talk to our team about how often you should be checked.
For a consultation, call +91 80083 36677 or use our contact page to enquire about an appointment. Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre, 49-48-16/5, NH16, NGGOS Colony, Akkayyapalem, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530016.
Often there are no symptoms at first; a high blood pressure reading or protein in the urine at a routine visit is usually the first sign. Later signs can include a severe headache, vision changes, pain below the ribs and sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet.
It usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, most often in the second half or near the end of pregnancy. It can also develop after the birth, usually within the first few days.
A reading of 140/90 or higher after 20 weeks, together with protein in the urine or other signs of organ strain, may indicate preeclampsia. A reading of 160/110 or higher is considered severe. Your doctor will confirm the diagnosis with repeat readings and tests.
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure with signs of organ strain. Eclampsia is when a woman with preeclampsia has seizures (fits); it is an emergency treated in hospital.
Yes. Postpartum preeclampsia can start or continue after the birth, usually within the first few days and sometimes up to about six weeks later, so blood pressure checks continue after delivery.
If you are at high risk, your doctor may advise low-dose aspirin from 12 weeks and calcium if your diet is low in calcium. Regular antenatal visits and managing existing conditions also help. Do not start any medicine without medical advice.
Written by Padmasri Hospitals & IVF Centre Editorial Team · Updated 10 November 2026
This article is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor.