Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — April 2026.
If you have preeclampsia or if you’re at risk, it’s a good idea to know how preeclampsia may be managed.
Most people with preeclampsia recover without any issues and have healthy babies. But preeclampsia can affect your pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery, and it’s helpful to learn more.
Your healthcare team will work closely to guide and support you. People with preeclampsia may see different healthcare providers, who may include:
Your healthcare team will decide how to manage preeclampsia based on:
In this video, Dr. Thomas Kishkovich, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Columbia University Medical Center, explains how your team will be there to support you.
If preeclampsia starts before 37 weeks, you and your provider may work on a plan that delays delivery as long as possible, while keeping you safe.
To keep a close eye on how you’re doing, you’ll have checkups frequently – sometimes weekly or more. These visits are a chance to:
Your provider may also recommend that you:
Sometimes, more serious preeclampsia may need to be managed in the hospital and require additional medication. For example, magnesium, an intravenous (IV) medication, may be given to help prevent seizures. Steroids may be given (typically as an injection) to help the baby’s development.
It’s possible to need an early delivery for your health and safety. The timing of delivery depends on how severe the preeclampsia is and how you and your baby are doing.
When preeclampsia is diagnosed after 37 weeks, delivery is generally recommended.
Having preeclampsia doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to have a C-section. The safest way to deliver depends on your health and your baby’s health, how severe the preeclampsia is, and how far along in the pregnancy you are.
You and your provider will talk about the safest way to deliver, and you’ll work together to make a plan that’s right for you.
Here’s Dr. Kishkovich explaining a bit more about how preeclampsia is managed.
After delivery, your team will continue to monitor your blood pressure.
Some people may be prescribed medicine to keep blood pressure in a safe range. These medicines are often decreased and stopped by the 6-week visit. Your provider will choose medicine that is safe for chestfeeding.
When you go home, it’s important to continue checking your blood pressure. Your team will show you how to do this and go over what to look for.
Preeclampsia can happen for up to 6 weeks after birth, and is more likely in the first week.
Your team will monitor you carefully while you’re in the hospital. If you have any signs of preeclampsia when you’re back home, let your provider know right away. You may need treatment in the hospital.
You may not feel any symptoms with preeclampsia. Often, you can’t feel high blood pressure.
Sometimes, preeclampsia does have warning signs. If you have any of these, get medical help right away. It’s always OK to call if anything just feels “off.”
Some of these (like swelling or headaches) may be similar to symptoms that can happen during pregnancy. For your safety, always call if you have any of these symptoms.
Your healthcare team is here for you every step of your pregnancy and recovery after birth. For extra help, information, and support, reach out to your Progyny Care Advocate. You always have a team behind you as you manage preeclampsia and take steps to stay healthy.
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Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.