Preeclampsia is a condition that raises blood pressure too high during pregnancy. This rise in blood pressure can harm both the mother and baby, potentially affecting organs such as the liver and kidneys.

Preeclampsia affects 2% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide and is linked to about 46,000 deaths of mothers and 500,000 deaths of babies either before or shortly after birth each year. This issue is also a concern across the state, with preeclampsia occurring in about 1 in 14 pregnancies in California. Preeclampsia usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but in rare cases, it can occur after birth (postpartum preeclampsia). If the condition worsens, it can progress to eclampsia, which may cause seizures and become life-threatening.