Blood pressure checks essential during pregnancy

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all pregnant women be screened for the hypertensive disorder pre-eclampsia, which, left untreated, can lead to such complications as premature delivery, low birth weight and strokes or seizures in mothers.

Pre-eclampsia affects about 4 percent of pregnancies in the U.S., and is the second leading cause of maternal mortality in the world.

Pre-eclampsia can be associated with high-blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The task force recommends that all women receive regular bloodpressure screenings during pregnancy. — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force