High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Is Rising. Education Can Help Reverse the Trend.
- Anne Wallen, Director of MWI
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
The numbers are impossible to ignore.
According to a newly released CDC report, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy—including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia—have increased by more than 70% over the past decade. Today, more than one in ten women giving birth in the United States experiences high blood pressure during pregnancy, making it one of the leading contributors to maternal and newborn complications.
While researchers continue to investigate why these rates are climbing, one thing is clear: many risk factors can be identified and addressed long before a crisis develops. Nutritional deficiencies, blood sugar balance, chronic inflammation, stress, sleep, physical activity, underlying health conditions, environmental exposures, and access to quality prenatal care all influence maternal health. Early education gives families the opportunity to make meaningful lifestyle changes that support healthier pregnancies and reduce the risk of complications.
At MaternityWise International, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools for improving maternal outcomes. Every doula, childbirth educator, and maternity professional we train learns to recognize risk factors, understand the role of nutritional deficiencies and healthy lifestyle habits, educate families about warning signs, and encourage timely communication with healthcare providers. Our graduates don't diagnose or treat medical conditions, but they do help families become informed, confident participants in their own care.
We believe that every expectant family deserves more than routine prenatal visits—they deserve the knowledge to understand what supports a healthy pregnancy and what may increase risk. When parents are equipped with practical, evidence-informed education, they are better prepared to ask questions, recognize concerning symptoms, and make decisions that support their health and their baby's well-being.
The rise in pregnancy-related high blood pressure is concerning, but it is not a challenge we should simply accept. By educating families earlier and preparing compassionate maternity professionals to share life-changing knowledge, we can help improve pregnancy outcomes—one family, one birth, and one community at a time.
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