Pregnancy, High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia

At the Family Birth Center, our maternal-fetal medicine care team specializes in helping patients manage hypertension (high blood pressure) during and after pregnancy.

We provide expert care for:

• Pregnant patients with a history of primary (or chronic) hypertension
• Patients who develop hypertension secondary to pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia
• Pregnant patients who develop hypertension secondary to complex medical conditions such as lupus or other autoimmune diseases, kidney disease, or kidney transplantation
• Patients who develop postpartum hypertension 

Managing Your Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia Risk

Preeclampsia is a serious condition primarily characterized by high blood pressure during or after pregnancy. If undetected, preeclampsia can progress rapidly, leading to organ damage, seizures or premature birth. In the worst cases, preeclampsia can be fatal. Early detection is vital for the health of both mother and baby.

Q&A: What you need to know about preeclampsia before — and after — pregnancy

If you have elevated risk for preeclampsia, our University of Chicago Medicine maternal-fetal medicine specialists will:

• Closely monitor your blood pressure during and after your pregnancy
• Check your urine for protein during your pregnancy
• Help you understand and recognize signs and symptoms of preeclampsia
• Perform high-level prenatal ultrasounds, providing more advanced imaging than traditional fetal ultrasounds
• Provide continued support after your pregnancy, offering remote patient monitoring to quickly diagnose and treat postpartum preeclampsia
• Consult with UChicago Medicine hypertension experts as needed to provide the best care possible for you and your baby