A 29-year-old woman is diagnosed with gestational hypertension at 35 weeks of gestation. Her blood pressure readings are 145/95 mmHg, she has no proteinuria, and all laboratory investigations are normal. According to standard guidelines, when should delivery be planned?
- A At 37 weeks of gestation ✓
- B Immediately, regardless of gestational age
- C At 40 weeks of gestation
- D Only after she develops proteinuria
Correct answer: A. At 37 weeks of gestation
Explanation
Gestational hypertension is new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks without proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction. In the absence of severe features, expectant management is continued with fetal and maternal surveillance, and delivery is recommended at 37 weeks because prolonging beyond this increases the risk of progression to pre-eclampsia and abruptio placentae without fetal benefit. Immediate delivery is reserved for severe features or fetal compromise, and development of proteinuria would reclassify her as pre-eclamptic rather than being a prerequisite for delivery planning.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.