8 Maternal Health Checkups You Should Not Miss

8. Blood pressure monitoring and preeclampsia checks

Regular blood pressure checks and urine protein screening are standard throughout pregnancy because they help detect preeclampsia early. Preeclampsia can develop after mid-pregnancy and requires prompt attention to lower risks for both mother and baby. Your clinician will track blood pressure at routine visits and may ask you to report any concerning symptoms such as sudden swelling, severe headaches, or vision changes. If elevated readings appear, your provider may increase monitoring, order blood work, or recommend medication and more frequent visits. Some clinics provide home blood pressure checks for higher-risk patients, which can help catch changes between appointments. Consistent monitoring is a practical way to prevent escalation and keep pregnancy on a safe course. If you have chronic hypertension, your care team will coordinate blood pressure goals and medication plans throughout pregnancy and after delivery.