What is a common complication of untreated high blood pressure in pregnant women?

Untreated high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to a serious condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys. This condition usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and can have significant risks for both the mother and the fetus, including increased chances of delivering prematurely and developing eclampsia, which can be life-threatening.

Preeclampsia is unique in that it directly relates to hypertension, making it a major complication stemming from untreated high blood pressure. Effective management of blood pressure during pregnancy is crucial to minimizing the risk of preeclampsia and ensuring the health of both the mother and the baby.

The other options, while significant concerns in pregnancy, are not directly complications arising from untreated high blood pressure. For example, gestational diabetes is related to insulin resistance, whereas placenta previa involves the placenta covering part of the cervix and is not a direct result of hypertension. Hemorrhage during pregnancy can occur for various reasons but is not specifically linked to untreated hypertension as closely as preeclampsia is. Thus, preeclampsia stands out as the primary complication associated with untreated high blood pressure in