Preeclampsia is a serious condition that causes high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, such as protein in the urine. It usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It may cause symptoms such as a severe headache, vision problems, pain in your upper abdomen (belly), new nausea and vomiting, rapid weight gain, and sudden swelling of the hands and face. Preeclampsia can prevent normal blood flow in your placenta. If it's not managed, preeclampsia can harm you or your baby.

Preeclampsia cannot be prevented but finding it early may prevent severe complications. If you have preeclampsia, you will have frequent office visits so your doctor or midwife can check on you and your baby. If preeclampsia is severe or getting worse, you may need to be monitored and treated in the hospital. Blood pressure greater than 160/110 is an emergency and needs to be treated in the hospital right away.

Preeclampsia may go away after the baby is born. But symptoms may last or get worse after delivery. In some cases, symptoms of preeclampsia don't show up until days or even weeks after childbirth. Preeclampsia may have long-term impacts on your health.