Gestational Hypertension (Cont.)

Effects of Gestational Hypertension

Women who develop mild gestational hypertension after 37 weeks have pregnancy outcomes similar to those of pregnant women who have normal blood pressure, except they have an increased rate of induced labor and a cesarean section delivery.
 
Women with severe gestational hypertension have increased rates of:
 

Preventing Gestational Hypertension

At this point, doctors do not know any ways to prevent gestational hypertension. However, while there is no way of preventing gestational hypertension, regular prenatal care will usually catch gestational hypertension early, reducing the chances of gestational complications.
 

Long-Term Effects of Gestational Hypertension

The effects of gestational hypertension vary, depending on the severity of symptoms and when they occur during pregnancy. For example, gestational hypertension does not generally increase a woman's risk for developing chronic hypertension or other heart-related problems. Also, in women with normal blood pressure who develop gestational hypertension, short-term complications -- including increased blood pressure -- usually go away within about 6 weeks after delivery.
 

Gestational Hypertension: Summary

Even though gestational hypertension can be serious, most women with gestational hypertension have successful pregnancies. Obtaining early and regular prenatal care is the most important thing a woman can do for herself and her baby.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD