If you’re currently pregnant or have been pregnant, you’ve probably noticed that your doctor or midwife checks your blood pressure at every visit. And for good reason: High blood pressure is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy—and one of the most important things you and your doctor should pay attention to. It can affect your health and your baby’s development, and catching it early can make a big difference.
Here’s what to know, why it matters, and how to tune into the signals your body may be sending.
Why High Blood Pressure During and After Pregnancy Deserves Your Attention
Pregnancy is a time of incredible change. Your heart is pumping up to 50% more blood, your hormones are in flux, and your baby’s placenta is working to ensure that the baby has what it needs to grow. In that process, blood pressure can change—and in some cases, it may climb to levels that put both you and your baby at risk.
On a positive note, when high blood pressure during pregnancy is caught early and managed well, most people go on to have healthy pregnancy outcomes and recoveries. That’s why awareness, early detection, and advocacy are key.
Different Types of High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy and Postpartum
Not all high blood pressure in pregnancy and postpartum is the same. Here are the four main types your healthcare provider may refer to:
- Chronic Hypertension: This refers to high blood pressure that someone had before pregnancy or that is diagnosed before 20 weeks of estimated gestational age. Someone who already had chronic hypertension before pregnancy may require medication and closer monitoring throughout the pregnancy.
- Gestational Hypertension: This is a new elevation in blood pressure that happens after 20 weeks or postpartum in someone who previously had normal blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure in pregnancy doesn’t come with other complications, but can progress to more serious conditions, so it is very closely monitored.
- Preeclampsia: This is a sudden elevation in blood pressure that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy or postpartum in someone who previously had normal blood pressure, accompanied by signs of stress on other organs—typically the kidneys or liver. It can appear suddenly and requires prompt medical attention.
- Chronic Hypertension with Superimposed Preeclampsia: When someone who already has chronic hypertension develops new elevations in their blood pressure, this is called superimposed preeclampsia.
Understanding what type of blood pressure you’re dealing with helps guide treatment and future planning.
What Constitutes “High” Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
Your provider may diagnose you with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia during or after pregnancy if:
- Your systolic pressure (the top number) is 140 mmHg or higher, or
- Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is 90 mmHg or higher,
- On two separate readings at least four hours apart.
Your provider may diagnose you with preeclampsia during or after pregnancy if:
- Your systolic pressure (the top number) is 160 mmHg or higher, or
- Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is 110 mmHg or higher,
- On as little as one or two occasions.
For conditions like preeclampsia, they’ll also look for other signs such as protein in your urine, elevated liver enzymes, or low platelets by doing blood and urine tests.
Warning Signs of High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
Sometimes, the signs of dangerous blood pressure shifts can be subtle—and easy to brush off as ”normal pregnancy stuff.” But certain symptoms shouldn’t be ignored:
- Persistent or severe headaches
- Vision changes (blurriness, flashes of light)
- Swelling in your face or hands, especially if it comes on quickly
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden weight gain
- Peeing much less than normal
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Contact your provider or head to your labor and delivery unit. Early intervention can make all the difference.
High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy vs. Chronic Hypertension
You might be wondering: Is high blood pressure in pregnancy just the same as regular high blood pressure? Nope. Even though they both are about high blood pressure, they are very different problems, and are diagnosed and managed differently.
- Chronic hypertension is long-term and not related to pregnancy itself. It’s usually diagnosed before pregnancy or early in the first trimester, and needs to be managed for the person’s lifetime.
- Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are specifically related to pregnancy and postpartum changes —and usually resolve after delivery.
How to Manage Your Risk of Preeclampsia
It can be stressful to think that your pregnancy may be complicated by preeclampsia. But there are a few ways that you can lower your risk or catch it early.
1. Speak with your healthcare provider
The first step is to have a conversation with your healthcare provider early in pregnancy about your risk. There is a set of questions your doctor or midwife will ask you to see if you should start taking aspirin. Taking aspirin is a science-based way to lower the risk of preeclampsia.
2. Focus on sleep
Paying attention to your sleep always has value. But sleep disturbances, like poor sleep quality, snoring or sleep apnea, can increase the overall risk of preeclampsia. That makes sleep habits worth addressing.
READ MORE: Sleep Apnea, Defined — And How to Treat It
3. Get a blood pressure cuff
Consider getting a blood pressure cuff. You can usually get these at a pharmacy, or your doctor can prescribe one for you. Once you learn the proper way to measure your blood pressure, you can check your blood pressure on your own. If the readings are elevated, this is a reason to contact your doctor. Even if your readings are normal, don’t use that as a reason to skip prenatal visits or to ignore symptoms if you are having them.
Looking Ahead: Long-Term Health Impacts
Here’s something that gets lost in the postpartum whirlwind: what happens to your blood pressure after delivery?
If you’ve had preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, your long-term health may need extra attention. Research shows it can raise your risk for:
- Chronic hypertension
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney issues
- Type 2 diabetes
This doesn’t mean you’re destined for these outcomes. But it does mean you would benefit from having your blood pressure checked at least once a year, heart-healthy habits, and regular conversations with your provider.
Think of your pregnancy as a window into your future health—it’s a chance to catch signals early and take action that supports your wellbeing for decades to come.
READ MORE: 8 Ways to Improve Your Cardiovascular Health
The Bottom Line
High blood pressure in pregnancy is serious, but manageable—especially when you’re informed, supported, and empowered to advocate for yourself.
Keep these steps in mind:
- Know the signs
- Talk to your care team
- Ask questions
- Trust your body
At Oura, we believe in listening to what your body is telling you. Whether through heart rate patterns, sleep shifts, or activity changes, your body is always communicating—and tuning into those signals helps you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.