Foundations of Preeclampsia and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: What Every Patient Should Understand

High blood pressure during pregnancy is one of the most common serious complications of pregnancy worldwide, and it exists on a spectrum — from gestational hypertension, which resolves after delivery, to severe preeclampsia with features that can threaten both the pregnant person and the fetus. Understanding what these conditions are, how they are diagnosed, and what the monitoring and treatment principles involve is essential knowledge for anyone navigating this diagnosis. By the end of this course you will be able to explain the difference between gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, severe-feature preeclampsia, and eclampsia, describe the two defining features of preeclampsia, understand how blood pressure monitoring and proteinuria testing are used to diagnose and track the condition, explain what magnesium sulfate is used for and why it is given, and identify the warning signs that indicate an urgent change in condition. What you will learn: - Blood pressure thresholds: what numbers define hypertension in pregnancy and why the diagnostic cutoffs are where they are - Preeclampsia diagnosis: the combination of blood pressure elevation and proteinuria, and the severe features that change management - Gestational hypertension versus preeclampsia: how they are distinguished and why it matters - HELLP syndrome: what the acronym means, what it indicates about organ involvement, and why it is a medical emergency - Eclampsia: what a seizure in the context of hypertensive pregnancy disorder means and how it is prevented with magnesium sulfate - Proteinuria testing: how it is measured and what the different testing methods tell clinicians - Fetal surveillance in preeclampsia: non-stress tests, biophysical profiles, and growth monitoring - The only cure for preeclampsia: why delivery is ultimately the definitive treatment and how gestational age influences timing decisions The course is organized as a series of structured readings, each covering one aspect of the condition, with worked examples showing how a clinical picture develops and how providers respond. Reflection prompts invite individuals currently managing a hypertensive pregnancy disorder to identify what they understand and what they still want to ask their care team. This course is designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy or who are at elevated risk. Suitable for those who are new to this diagnosis. No prior medical background is required. This course is informational and educational; it does not substitute for guidance from your licensed obstetric care team.