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High Blood Pressure & Pregnancy

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Most Important Things to Know:

  • High blood pressure before or early in pregnancy (first 20 weeks) needs special care

  • Good blood pressure control helps protect you and your baby

  • Know your warning signs and when to call your doctor

Warning Signs

  • Sudden worse swelling of feet, face or hands

  • Headache that will not go away 

  • ​Seeing spots, things looking blurry, or other problems with seeing

  • Pain in the top part of your belly

  • Pain in your shoulder that feels different than normal

  • Feeling like you're going to throw up or throwing up (after you are pregnant 20 weeks or more)

  • Trouble breathing

  • Very high blood pressure (top number more than 160 or bottom number more than 110)

Many pregnant people get headaches and belly pain. It can be hard to know if it's normal or not. If you're not sure or worried at all, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. It's better to call and find out everything is okay than to wait too long to get help.

What You'll Learn on This Page:

Find what steps you can take right now, whether you're planning pregnancy, just found out, or further along.

Learn what counts as high blood pressure, how it changes during pregnancy, and why it matters for you and your baby.

Get guidance on planning pregnancy, what to do when pregnant, and how to work with your care team and support system.

Find out what to expect for your blood pressure after giving birth.

See where we got this information and find trusted sources

Your Care at Any Stage

It's never too late to get good care. Find your current stage below to see what you can do.

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Planning Pregnancy

Starting early? Great! Here's how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy:​

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  • Track your blood pressure (download our form here

  • Make a doctor's appointment to:

    • Share your readings​

    • Ask about medications safe during pregnancy

    • Check for other health conditions that affect pregnancy

    • Talk about other health changes you can make

Just Found Out You're Pregnant

​Already pregnant? Welcome! Here are ways to have a healthy pregnancy:

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  • Track your blood pressure (download our form here)

    • Share your readings with your doctor​

  • ​Make a doctor's appointment to:​​

    • Get blood and urine tests to check how your body is handling pregnancy

    • See if your medicines need to be changed

    • Ask about healthy changes for you and your baby

    • Make a blood pressure monitoring plan

  • Tell your doctor about:

    • Your blood pressure history​

    • Past pregnancy problems

    • Any medicines or supplements you take

Early/Mid Pregnancy

Starting care now? Welcome! Here are some steps to keep you and your pregnancy healthy:​

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  • Keep tracking your blood pressure (download our form here)

  • Make regular doctor's appointment to:

    • Get blood and urine tests to make sure your body is staying healthy

    • Have ultrasounds to make sure your baby is growing well

    • Ask your doctor about any medicines you might need

    • Let your doctor know about any concerns or changes 

  • Talk to your doctor about:

    • Whether you should take low-dose aspirin​

    • How often you should check your blood pressure

    • Safe exercise and diet

Late Pregnancy 

​Getting close! Here are some ways to stay healthy and get ready for a safe delivery:

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  • Keep checking your blood pressure!

  • More frequent doctor's visits to:

  • Make a plan for delivery

  • ​Ask your doctor about when you should get help right away​

  • Learn about what to expect during delivery

After Delivery

Congratulations! Let's keep you healthy as you care for your baby:​

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  • Blood pressure is still important, so keep checking it

  • Tell your doctor if either number is higher than 150/90

  • Early check up in the first week

  • Ask your doctor about:

    • Safe medicines while breastfeeding​

    • How often to check your blood pressure

    • Warning signs to watch out for

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Your Condition

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Managing Your Care

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Looking Ahead

Resources We Used

Written by: 

Last Updated: January 16, 2025

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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