Written by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — April 2026.
When you’re pregnant, it’s helpful to learn about all sides of pregnancy. This includes the exciting things to plan for, as well as the possible risks to know about.
Preeclampsia is a type of high blood pressure that happens during pregnancy or after childbirth. If you’re at risk, you’ll work closely with your healthcare team to stay safe.
Most people with preeclampsia recover and have healthy babies. Sometimes, though, preeclampsia requires the baby to be born early.
We’ll talk about this at a high level in this article, but this is not medical advice. Every situation is unique, so be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about your plan together.
When is the baby delivered early?
Preeclampsia is caused by the pregnancy itself, so your plan will carefully balance the risks for you and your baby’s health. An early delivery is recommended in certain situations. You and your healthcare team will create the plan that is safest for you and the pregnancy.
When preeclampsia is first diagnosed, you may be admitted to the hospital for several hours or even a day or two. This allows your team to monitor your blood pressure, do bloodwork, and check the baby’s well-being.
- With mild preeclampsia, the goal for delivery is generally 37 weeks of pregnancy, which is early but not preterm. If you’re diagnosed before this, you may check your blood pressure at home, take medicine, and have more frequent checkups and testing (including ultrasounds and monitoring the baby’s heart rate). If you’re diagnosed after 37 weeks, delivery is often recommended.
- With severe preeclampsia, people are often admitted to the hospital for close monitoring of the pregnant person and baby. Delivery may be recommended earlier, around 34 weeks of pregnancy.
You and your provider will talk about which kind of delivery is best for you:
- Using medication to induce labor and try a vaginal delivery
- Having a C-section
It will depend on your health, how severe the preeclampsia is, and how far along you are in the pregnancy.
What happens after delivery?
If the baby is born healthy at 37 weeks or later and you do not have complications, you may be monitored in the hospital and sent home.
If the baby is born before 37 weeks, the baby may need to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The type of care depends on the baby’s gestational age, development, and condition. Depending on your health, you may also need to stay in the hospital for care or monitoring.
Preeclampsia can also happen up to 6 weeks after birth. Listen to your body and call your provider if you have any warning signs or anything feels wrong.
Know the warning signs.
You may not feel any symptoms with preeclampsia. Often, you can’t feel high blood pressure.
This is why your appointments during and after pregnancy are key. It’s a chance for your healthcare provider to check your blood pressure and urine to make sure you and the baby are doing well.
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.”
Call your provider or 911 if you have:
- A bad headache that doesn’t go away
- Changes in vision (seeing spots or flashes of light, blurry vision, temporary loss of vision)
- Pain in your upper belly
- Nausea (throwing up or feeling sick to your stomach)
- Sudden swelling, especially in your face or hands
- Trouble breathing or chest pain
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.
Planning for the unexpected
We can’t see the future or know what will happen. But you are already doing some of the best things you can to keep yourself and your baby safe:
- Learning about possible risks, warning signs, and when to call
- Talking with your healthcare team about your personal situation
- Working together on a plan to help you stay safe
- Asking questions and let your team know what’s on your mind
We know this can be stressful or bring on a range of emotions for many people. Remember, you are not alone.
If you’re at risk or dealing with health concerns, it can be helpful to talk with someone about how you’re feeling. Please talk with your provider or reach out to your Progyny Care Advocate for support and resources.
Explore related topics in this series:
- How is preeclampsia managed?
- Postpartum preeclampsia: Know the risks after birth
- Recovery after preeclampsia
- How can preeclampsia affect my future health?
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.