Usually asymptomatic. To establish the diagnosis, 2 blood pressure (BP) measurements should be taken at least 6 hours, and no more than 7 days, apart.
Defined by BP ≥140/90 mmHg on 2 occasions during pregnancy after 20 weeks' gestation in a previously normotensive patient, without the presence of proteinuria.
Patient requires regular monitoring of BP and urinalysis during the pregnancy to exclude pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Mild hypertension is managed with lifestyle modification and antihypertensive therapy.
Severe hypertension (BP ≥160/110 mmHg) requires admission for antihypertensive therapy.
For women over 37 weeks' gestation, induction should be considered.
Gestational hypertension is defined by sustained BP readings of ≥140/90 mmHg during pregnancy after 20 weeks’ gestation in a previously normotensive patient, without the presence of proteinuria (<300 mg in 24 hours). All manifestations of gestational hypertension are presumptive until retrospectively confirmed by complete resolution of hypertension and any other new abnormalities by 12 weeks postpartum; otherwise, other diagnoses should be considered.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9259215?tool=bestpractice.com