Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — March 2026.
Your pregnancy and postpartum checkups are a great chance to ask questions and track your baby’s progress. They also help your healthcare provider look for possible warning signs early.
In fact, every visit should include a blood pressure check. High blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous for you and the baby. It often doesn’t cause symptoms you can feel.
If you’re at risk, your provider may ask you to check your blood pressure at home, as well. You’ll work together on a plan that’s right for you.
Types of high blood pressure during pregnancy
In general, your blood pressure is considered high during pregnancy if it’s 140/90 or higher. It’s high if either the top (systolic blood pressure) or the bottom (diastolic blood pressure) number is high.
There are several related blood pressure conditions:
- Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure that someone has before becoming pregnant, or that develops during the first half of pregnancy.
- Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that starts after the 20th week of pregnancy. It does not involve protein in the urine.
- Preeclampsia is gestational hypertension that typically begins in the last few weeks of pregnancy or up to 6 weeks after birth. Preeclampsia shows signs of organ damage, including protein in the urine or changes in bloodwork.
- Eclampsia is a serious complication of preeclampsia involving seizures that can be life-threatening.
- HELLP syndrome is a severe form of preeclampsia. It affects the blood and liver, and can be life-threatening.
Provider visits can help keep you safe.
Going to your pregnancy and postpartum checkups is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself.
Routine blood pressure checks and other tests give important clues about your health. Urine and blood tests let your provider know the difference between gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. For example, these tests look for:
- If the kidneys are leaking protein in the urine
- If the kidneys, liver, and platelets have been affected by high blood pressure
If you have any issues going to your checkups, reach out to your healthcare team. They will work with you to find solutions and support you. You can also reach out to your Progyny Care Advocate for additional support and guidance.
Explore related topics in this series:
- Preeclampsia: Get informed to stay safe
- How is preeclampsia managed?
- Checking your blood pressure at home
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.