High blood pressure during pregnancy is still being dismissed by many families as a routine part of motherhood, but doctors at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences on Thursday warned that the condition could quickly turn fatal, if ignored.
Speaking on World Preeclampsia Day, specialists from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the AIIMS raised concern over the growing burden of preeclampsia in India, calling it one of the most serious yet poorly understood complications affecting pregnant women.
Preeclampsia, doctors explained, usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and is marked by high blood pressure and it is highly dangerous in or near 24th week of pregnancy. Beyond hypertension, the condition can damage vital organs, including kidneys, liver and brain, while also affecting the baby’s growth. In severe cases, it can lead to seizures, stroke, organ failure, premature birth and even death of both mother and child.
According to experts, nearly two to four lakh women in India suffer from preeclampsia every year, making it a major contributor to pregnancy-related complications. Globally, the condition affects around five to eight per cent of pregnancies and is linked to over 70,000 maternal deaths and nearly five lakh baby deaths annually.
Despite the scale of the problem, awareness remains low, doctors said. Prof Neena Malhotra, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at AIIMS-Delhi, said many women continue to ignore rising blood pressure during pregnancy, believing it to be temporary or part of normal stress associated with childbirth.
“This is not normal pregnancy stress. It can become life-threatening for both mother and baby if not treated on time,” Dr Malhotra warned.
Doctors said warning signs often include swelling in the hands and face, severe headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, sudden weight gain and high blood pressure. Breathlessness, abdominal pain and reduced baby movements are also considered serious symptoms. However, experts cautioned that many women may not show visible symptoms until the condition becomes severe, making regular antenatal check-ups critical.
Medical specialists stressed that early detection can significantly reduce complications. They said preeclampsia can often be screened in the first trimester itself, allowing doctors to identify women at high risk. Such patients may benefit from preventive treatment with low-dose aspirin, which doctors said can reduce the chances of developing severe preeclampsia by up to 60 per cent.
The doctors also underlined the importance of monitoring blood pressure, urine protein, foetal growth and maternal symptoms throughout pregnancy. Timely medicines, close monitoring and delivery at an appropriate healthcare facility with emergency care support were described as key steps in preventing deaths.
Apart from medical screening, experts also flagged concerns over unhealthy food habits during pregnancy. They warned against excessive intake of salty snacks, pickles, namkeen and spicy foods, particularly for women vulnerable to hypertension.
Dr Malhotra said practices such as yoga, when done under medical supervision, may help reduce stress and support maternal health in women at risk of preeclampsia.
Doctors further pointed out that the dangers linked to preeclampsia do not always end after childbirth. Women, who develop the condition, face a higher risk of non-communicable diseases later in life, including heart disease, chronic hypertension and stroke.
Calling for greater public awareness, the experts urged families not to ignore warning signs and to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop.
“No woman should lose her life to a preventable pregnancy complication,” doctors said during the awareness session, while stressing that awareness, screening, prevention and timely treatment remain the strongest defence against preeclampsia.
According to the government of India, the country’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) declined to 97 per 1 lakh live births in 2018-20, though experts say hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia continue to remain among key contributors to maternal complications.