Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, such as protein in the urine, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It may cause symptoms such as a severe headache, vision problems, rapid weight gain, and sudden swelling of the hands and face. If it's not managed, preeclampsia can harm you or your baby.
If you have mild preeclampsia, you will have frequent office visits so your doctor 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.
Preeclampsia usually goes away after the baby is born. But symptoms may last or get worse after delivery. In rare cases, symptoms of preeclampsia don't show up until days or even weeks after childbirth.