Gestational Hypertension

Author: Dr. Vrolijk   |   Updated: August 23, 2025   |   Disclaimer   |   Review Process   |   References

Author: Dr. Vrolijk   

Updated: August 23, 2025   

Disclaimer   |   Review Process   |   References

Just found out you have high blood pressure during pregnancy? Not sure what this means for you and your baby? Worried about what comes next?

This page explains what gestational hypertension is, what you can do, and when to get help.

What is Gestational Hypertension?

Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that starts after you’re pregnant for 20 weeks or more. It’s caused by pregnancy and usually goes away after you give birth.

If you have high blood pressure before or in early pregnancy, that’s called chronic hypertension. Learn more about chronic hypertension here.

Some people are more likely to get gestational hypertension. For example, diabetes, being overweight, or having other health problems can make it more likely.

How Is It Diagnosed?

  • You’ve been pregnant for 20 or more weeks
  • You have 2+ readings that are usually 4+ hours apart that are 140/90 or higher
  • No signs of kidney or other health problems (these would mean you have preeclampsia)

After you’ve given birth, you’ll keep taking your blood pressure to make sure it goes back to normal. If it stays high for more than 12 weeks, then you may have chronic hypertension.

Most People Have Healthy Pregnancies & Babies

The key is keeping your blood pressure under control. Checking your blood pressure at home, going to your visits, and getting regular tests help catch problems early.

Your care team will also watch for preeclampsia. This is a serious condition that is more likely if you have gestational hypertension. Quick medical care can treat preeclampsia. This is why staying on top of your appointments is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby.

What You Can Do

Track Your Numbers

  • Check your blood pressure: Usually 1-2 times a day
  • Write down your readings: Note the date, time, and how you’re feeling
  • Know your target: Usually below 140/90
  • Don’t panic over one high reading: As long as you feel okay, take it again after resting for at least 5 minutes

Take Care of Yourself

  • Stay at a healthy weight – Don’t try to lose weight while pregnant. Ask your provider how much weight you should gain
  • Eat healthy foods – Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
  • Eat less salt and processed foods – Salt raises blood pressure, and processed foods have a lot of salt 
  • Stay active – Ask your doctor what exercise is safe for you and your baby
  • Ask for support – More doctor visits and managing your health takes time away from other responsibilities. It’s okay to ask for help with things like meals, errands, housework, or transportation to appointments

When to Get Help

Call Your Doctor if

  • Your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher on two separate readings
  • You have questions about your readings or symptoms
  • You’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about your blood pressure

🚨 Get Help Right Away if You Have

  • Severe symptoms: Very high blood pressure (160/110+), trouble breathing, severe headache
  • Vision Changes: Seeing spots, vision problems
  • Physical changes: Sudden face/hand swelling, unusual belly or shoulder pain
  • Other concerning signs: Nausea or vomiting that won’t go away after 20 weeks, fast weight gain

→ Read about when blood pressure is an emergency during pregnancy

The Types of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Gestational hypertension (this page): High blood pressure that starts after 20 weeks

Chronic hypertension: High blood pressure you had before pregnancy
→ Read more about high blood pressure starting before or in early pregnancy

Preeclampsia: High blood pressure plus other symptoms that need immediate treatment
→ Read more about preeclampsia

Quick Answers

Some people need medication, while others don’t. This depends on:

  • Your body
  • How your baby is doing
  • If you might develop a serious condition called preeclampsia

Your care team usually will want to see you more often. This helps them catch problems early and treat them with medication.

Your birth plan might change based on your health and your baby’s health. Your doctor might want you to give birth between 37 and 39 weeks. Most people can still have a vaginal birth.

Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that starts after you’ve been pregnant 20+ weeks. Preeclampsia is a problem that affects multiple parts of your body and usually has high blood pressure.

Someone with gestational hypertension is more likely to develop preeclampsia. So your care team may want to check you and your baby more often.

For most people, yes. Blood pressure usually returns to normal within 12 weeks after giving birth. However, you are more likely to have high blood pressure as you get older. Regular check ups and taking your blood pressure at home can help catch problems early.

You have a higher chance of getting it again. About 2 out of 10 people will get gestational hypertension in their next pregnancy. Your health and other health conditions can change your risk. Your healthcare team can help you understand your personal risk.

If you have high blood pressure, checking once in the morning and once in the evening is the best schedule. However, you and your healthcare team might decide you don’t need to check that often.

If you don’t have high blood pressure, you can usually check less often. Ask your provider for what schedule is best for you.

Focus on eating less salt and processed foods. You don’t need a perfect diet. Small improvements help. Your healthcare provider should be able to help you come up with a plan based on your individual needs.

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August, Phyllis, and Arun Jeyabalan. “Preeclampsia: Prevention.” UpToDate, Vol, 2017, 1–23.

Bisson, Courtney, Sydney Dautel, Easha Patel, Sunitha Suresh, Patricia Dauer, and Sarosh Rana. “Preeclampsia Pathophysiology and Adverse Outcomes during Pregnancy and Postpartum.” Frontiers in Medicine 10 (March 16, 2023): 1144170. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1144170.

“Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 222.” Obstetrics and Gynecology 135, no. 6 (June 2020): e237–60. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003891.

Karrar, Shahd A., Daniel J. Martingano, and Peter L. Hong. “Preeclampsia.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570611/.

Luger, Richard K., and Benjamin P. Kight. “Hypertension In Pregnancy.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2024. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430839/.

Norwitz, E. R. “Preeclampsia: Antepartum Management and Timing of Delivery.” Lockwood, CJ Https://Www. Uptodate. Com/Contents/Preeclampsia-Antepartummanagement-and-Timing-Ofdelivery, 2022.

Phyllis, A., M. Baha, and M. Sibai. “Preeclampsia: Clinical Features and Diagnosis.” American Medical Network 21, no. 6 (2013): 4–52.

Oostwaard MF van, Langenveld J, Schuit E, et al. Recurrence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: an individual patient data metaanalysis. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2015;212(5):624.e1-624.e17. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.01.009

Panaitescu AM, Syngelaki A, Prodan N, Akolekar R, Nicolaides KH. Chronic hypertension and adverse pregnancy outcome: a cohort study. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017;50(2):228-235. doi:10.1002/uog.17493

Shen M, Tan H, Zhou S, Smith GN, Walker MC, Wen SW. Trajectory of blood pressure change during pregnancy and the role of pre-gravid blood pressure: a functional data analysis approach. Sci Rep. 2017;7:6227. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-06606-0

Terwisscha van Scheltinga JA, Krabbendam I, Spaanderman MEA. Differentiating between gestational and chronic hypertension; an explorative study. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2013;92(3):312-317. doi:10.1111/aogs.12061

Tita AT, Szychowski JM, Boggess K, et al. Treatment for Mild Chronic Hypertension during Pregnancy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;386(19):1781-1792. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2201295

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