A primigravida with gestational hypertension delivers at term. At her 6-week postpartum check, blood pressure has returned completely to normal and remains normal. This course confirms the diagnosis because:

• A Persistence beyond 6 weeks excludes chronic hypertension
• B Gestational hypertension resolves within 24 hours of placental expulsion
• C Postpartum resolution distinguishes it from white coat hypertension
• D Gestational hypertension resolves within 12 weeks postpartum ✓

Explanation

By definition, gestational hypertension returns to normal within 12 weeks after delivery; persistence beyond this point reclassifies the woman as having chronic hypertension. Resolution does not occur within hours of delivery, since pre-eclamptic and gestational hypertensive women often remain hypertensive for days to weeks postpartum. The 12-week rule is the standard ISSHP and Williams criterion.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.