What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication marked by new high blood pressure along with signs that other organs, like the kidneys or liver, are under strain. It typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often in the third trimester, though it can also appear after childbirth. Knowing the warning signs and risk factors can help you get checked and treated quickly, which is the biggest factor in a safe outcome.
Call Your Provider or Go to the ER Right Away If You Notice These Signs
Some symptoms of preeclampsia need urgent medical attention, especially in the second half of pregnancy or in the weeks after delivery. Contact your obstetric provider immediately, or go to an emergency room, if you experience:
- A severe or persistent headache that does not go away with usual measures
- Changes in vision, such as blurring, seeing spots, or temporary vision loss
- Pain in the upper abdomen, often below the ribs on the right side
- Sudden or severe swelling of the face or hands
- Shortness of breath
These signs can appear even if your blood pressure has seemed normal at recent visits. If something feels wrong, tell your care team right away rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Preeclampsia can also develop gradually, and some people have few or no obvious symptoms at first. This is why routine blood pressure checks and urine tests at prenatal visits matter, even when you feel fine. Signs your provider may look for include:
- Blood pressure readings that are higher than your normal baseline
- Protein in the urine, found through a urine test
- A drop in platelet count, found through blood work
- Abnormal kidney or liver function on lab tests
- Fluid buildup in the lungs
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or face
- Sudden weight gain over a few days
Because some of these signs only show up on tests, regular prenatal care is one of the most reliable ways to catch preeclampsia early.
Risk Factors: Who Is More Likely to Develop Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia can happen in any pregnancy, but certain factors raise the likelihood. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), risk factors fall into two general groups.
Higher-Risk Factors
- A previous pregnancy with preeclampsia
- Carrying more than one baby (twins or higher-order multiples)
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Autoimmune conditions
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Moderate-Risk Factors
- First pregnancy
- Age 35 or older
- A body mass index (BMI) above 30
- A family history of preeclampsia
- Certain sociodemographic and personal health history factors
- Pregnancy through in vitro fertilization
Having one or more of these factors does not mean preeclampsia will happen. It means your care team may recommend closer monitoring or preventive steps, discussed below.
Preeclampsia Risk Checklist
Use this checklist as a starting point for a conversation with your provider, not as a self-diagnosis tool.
- Have you had preeclampsia in a past pregnancy?
- Are you pregnant with more than one baby?
- Do you have chronic high blood pressure, kidney disease, an autoimmune condition, or diabetes?
- Is this your first pregnancy?
- Are you 35 or older?
- Does preeclampsia run in your family?
- Did you conceive through IVF?
If you checked one higher-risk factor, or more than one moderate-risk factor, bring this up at your next prenatal visit so your provider can plan appropriate monitoring.
Current Approaches to Prevention and Treatment
Management of preeclampsia depends on how far along the pregnancy is and how severe the condition is. Only a qualified clinician can determine the right approach for an individual pregnancy, but current guidance describes these general categories of care.
Prevention for Those at Higher Risk
For pregnant people identified as high risk, ACOG and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine support daily low-dose aspirin, generally started between 12 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, as a preventive measure. This is a clinical decision made with a provider based on individual risk factors and health history. It is not something to start without medical guidance.
Monitoring
People with risk factors, or with early signs like gestational hypertension, are typically monitored more closely, often with more frequent blood pressure checks and lab work, to catch preeclampsia early if it develops.
Management After Diagnosis
Once preeclampsia is diagnosed, care may include closer monitoring of the pregnant person and baby, blood pressure management, and, depending on severity and gestational age, planning for delivery. Preeclampsia can affect multiple organ systems, which is why treatment decisions are individualized and made by an obstetric care team.
Delivery resolves preeclampsia. The timing of delivery is a medical decision that balances the risks of the condition against the risks of early birth, made together by the pregnant person and their care team.
Extra Caution: After Delivery
Preeclampsia can also develop or worsen in the days and weeks after childbirth, even in people who had normal blood pressure during pregnancy. Severe headache, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, or sudden swelling after delivery are reasons to seek care right away, not something to wait out.
What Current Evidence Does Not Yet Settle
Researchers do not yet know the exact underlying cause of preeclampsia, which is part of why prevention and screening tools are still evolving. Guidance on aspirin dosing, timing, and which risk factors matter most has been updated in recent years and may continue to change as more research becomes available. This is an area where checking with your provider for the most current recommendation is especially important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can preeclampsia happen without any symptoms?
Yes. Some people have few or no noticeable symptoms, especially in earlier stages. This is why blood pressure checks and urine tests at every prenatal visit matter, even when you feel well.
Does preeclampsia go away after birth?
Delivery is the definitive treatment, and blood pressure usually improves afterward. However, preeclampsia can still develop or worsen in the postpartum period, so continued monitoring after birth is important.
Is swelling always a sign of preeclampsia?
Some swelling is common in pregnancy and is not automatically a sign of preeclampsia. Sudden or severe swelling of the face or hands, especially with other symptoms like headache or vision changes, is what warrants prompt medical attention.
Should I take aspirin on my own if I think I’m at risk?
No. Low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention is a clinical decision based on your specific risk factors and health history. Talk with your obstetric provider about whether it’s appropriate for you and, if so, when to start.
Learn More
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Educational Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not diagnose preeclampsia, recommend a specific treatment, or predict any individual outcome. If you are pregnant or recently gave birth and are experiencing any warning signs described above, contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency care. Always consult a qualified clinician about your specific pregnancy and health history.