Gestational Hypertension: Issue in Labor & Delivery Health Article

If you have gestational hypertension, you will likely have a normal (or spontaneous) labor and delivery. Most babies of women with gestational hypertension are delivered vaginally. During labor and delivery, your doctor monitors your blood pressure to ensure that hypertension does not worsen.

However, gestational hypertension is also associated with complications during labor and delivery such as preeclampsia. If you develop preeclampsia or your baby is receiving reduced oxygen due to your hypertension, you may have an induced labor or caesarean delivery.

If the hypertension is truly gestational, your blood pressure levels return to pre-pregnancy levels after delivery. If the hypertension does not resolve within 12 weeks of delivery, you may have chronic hypertension. Your blood pressure will be tested during follow-up visits with your doctor.

For more information, go to Gestational Hypertension: Follow-Up with Your Doctor.