What is a typical sign of gestational hypertension?

Gestational hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, typically after 20 weeks of gestation. The primary indicator of this condition is elevated blood pressure readings. When a pregnant individual experiences hypertension, it's important to monitor and manage it to reduce the risk of complications for both the mother and the fetus.

While frequent headaches and severe swelling can present during pregnancy, they are not definitive indicators of gestational hypertension on their own. Increased swelling, for example, can occur in many pregnant women and may not necessarily indicate high blood pressure. Decreased fetal movement can also happen for various reasons and is not a direct sign of gestational hypertension.

Elevated blood pressure stands out as the hallmark symptom, making it crucial for health care providers to monitor blood pressure in pregnant patients regularly to identify and address gestational hypertension effectively.