What condition is associated with hypertension during pregnancy?

Hypertension during pregnancy encompasses several specific conditions, each with distinct characteristics but all united by the common factor of elevated blood pressure during gestation.

Gestational hypertension occurs when a woman develops high blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy without the presence of protein in the urine or other signs of preeclampsia. It is primarily associated with new-onset high blood pressure that resolves after delivery.

Chronic hypertension refers to women who have high blood pressure prior to becoming pregnant or those who have it during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. This condition can carry over into the pregnancy, requiring careful monitoring and management.

Preeclampsia is a more severe condition that usually arises after the 20th week of pregnancy and is characterized not only by high blood pressure but also by damage to other organ systems, most notably the kidneys (evidenced by protein in the urine). It can lead to serious complications for both the mother and fetus.

Given that all three conditions involve hypertension—as either an existing condition or one that develops during pregnancy—it's accurate to say they are all associated with hypertension during this critical period.