What is Preeclampsia?
Screening for Preeclampsia During Pregnancy
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication marked by persistent high blood pressure, affecting about 5% to 7% of all births in the U.S.1 Most people will deliver healthy babies and recover without experiencing serious complications during pregnancy. However, it’s still important to recognize the symptoms and risk factors of preeclampsia, the leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. Talk to your doctor about screening options.
How does preeclampsia affect your pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your body undergoes a lot of changes. Sometimes, it can be hard to know what’s a normal change and what’s a sign of something more serious. In addition to considering first trimester preeclampsia screening, understanding the signs and risk factors of preeclampsia can help you prevent complications.
Know the signs of preeclampsia2
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Heightened state of anxiety
- Visual disturbances (oversensitivity to light, blurred vision, seeing flashing spots or auras)
Factors that pose an increased risk to developing preeclampsia3
- Prior personal or family history of preeclampsia
- Being pregnant with more than one baby
- Chronic high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Prior history of diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
- Kidney disease
- Obesity
- Use of in vitro fertilization
- Autoimmune disorders
- Maternal age of 35 or older
- Prior history of pregnancy complications
- First pregnancy with current partner
- More than 10 years since previous pregnancy
- African American race/ethnicity
How do I know if I am at risk for preeclampsia early in my pregnancy?
Your healthcare provider can check for signs of preeclampsia early, often before you have any symptoms. During weeks 11 and 0 days through 14 and 0 days of your pregnancy, a simple yet specialized blood test can be performed to assess your risk of developing preeclampsia. This test evaluates specific factors linked to preeclampsia risk, such as placental growth proteins and blood pressure indicators. When combined with your medical history, it helps predict your likelihood of developing early onset preeclampsia, even months before symptoms might appear.
If you are identified as high-risk in the first trimester, your provider can recommend early intervention, such as closer monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, or preventive treatments like low-dose aspirin. This timely action can significantly reduce the chance of complications and improve outcomes for both you and your baby.
This screening is especially important if you have known risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, or a history of preeclampsia.
What are the complications of preeclampsia?3,5
While preeclampsia complications are rare, they can develop if the condition isn’t properly diagnosed or managed. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent preeclampsia complications for both yourself and your baby.
Eclampsia
Eclampsia is the onset of seizures or coma with preeclampsia symptoms
HELLP syndrome
HELLP stands for hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. HELLP syndrome can be life-threatening to both the baby and the mother
Organ damage
Preeclampsia can result in damage to the kidneys, liver, lung, heart or eyes. It can also cause a stroke or blood clotting disorder, and it may increase your risk of future heart disease
Fetal growth issues
Since preeclampsia can restrict blood flow to the placenta, the baby may receive inadequate oxygen and nutrients, leading to slow growth in the womb
Preterm birth
Preeclampsia can lead to an unplanned preterm birth, but a planned preterm birth is also a primary treatment for preeclampsia. Babies born prematurely have a higher risk of breathing and feeding difficulties, vision or hearing problems, developmental delays and cerebral palsy
Placental abruption
With this complication, the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery, potentially causing heavy bleeding that can be life-threatening for both the mother and baby
Preeclampsia’s Effect on Black Women
The maternal mortality rate among non-Hispanic Black women is 3.5 times that of non-Hispanic white women.4 Preeclampsia, along with other blood pressure and heart conditions, are leading causes of maternal death for Black women. Read a mother’s story about her experience with preeclampsia and how she advocated for her health.
Dr. Strickland Answers Top Preeclampsia Questions
Wondering what preeclampsia is and how it could affect your pregnancy? Dr. Strickland, answers common questions about symptoms, risks, and early screening.
Learn about symptoms, risk factors, and how early screening can make a difference.
First trimester preeclampsia screening: Common questions and answers
- Who should get the first trimester preeclampsia screening?
This screening is available to all pregnant individuals, including those with no risk factors, those with moderate-risk factors (e.g., family history of preeclampsia, being age 35 or older, history of pregnancy complications like low birth weight) and people with high-risk factors of developing preeclampsia (e.g., a history of preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disorders) .6 Using a blood test drawn between 11 weeks 0 days and 14 weeks 0 days of pregnancy, this test is the only one of its kind in the U.S. and is highly effective at identifying early-onset preeclampsia.
- What does the first trimester test involve?
This screening combines a blood test with key maternal and biophysical measurements (like blood pressure readings) to provide a comprehensive risk assessment—typically available within just a few days.
The screening involves a blood test that analyzes specific biomarkers (PlGF and PAPP-A) alongside maternal and biophysical factors—mean arterial pressure (MAP), measured with a dual-cuff blood pressure monitor, and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtAPI), measured via transvaginal ultrasound/doppler—to assess your preeclampsia risk. Results are typically available within 2–5 days, allowing you and your healthcare provider to make informed decisions early in your pregnancy.
- How accurate is this test for a first trimester screening?
Labcorp’s screening is the only one of its kind in the U.S., correctly identifying up to 9 out of 10 people at risk for developing early-onset preeclampsia (<34 weeks). This is significantly more accurate than current preeclampsia screening guidelines, which may only identify 4 to 5 out of 10 at-risk individuals.7
- What happens if my result is high-risk?
A high-risk result means you have an elevated chance of developing preeclampsia, not a definitive diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend closer monitoring throughout your pregnancy, which may include more frequent checkups, additional testing and proactive care planning to help manage your health and your baby’s well-being.
- Why is it better to test in the first trimester than later?
Testing early allows for timely intervention. Preeclampsia symptoms often resemble those associated with a regular pregnancy (e.g., headaches, swelling, nausea), which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. By identifying risk in the first trimester, you and your provider can take steps to monitor and manage your pregnancy more closely—potentially improving outcomes for both you and your baby.
- How much does the first trimester screening test cost?
The cost of the test can vary depending on your insurance coverage. However, most patients had no out-of-pocket costs, with insurance covering the full amount.*
To learn more about the cost of preeclampsia screening tests, download our patient responsibility summary:
Patient Responsibility Summary 1st Trimester Preeclampsia Screen
[Hypertext with direct link to PDF:] https://experience.adobe.com/solutions/contenthub-shares/?repoId=121952-1214068&id=90e3583a-8cb2-46a2-8b9e-878bbb235b9a#/assets/urn:aaid:aem:d819fe54-1e76-4379-a08c-803f670dfc68
*Based on Labcorp 2024/2025 billing data. Coverage may vary by individual and employer insurance plans. It is recommended to verify coverage with your provider before testing.
- What can I do if I develop preeclampsia like symptoms later in my pregnancy?
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if experiencing preeclampsia symptoms, which can arise anytime during pregnancy, particularly after the 20th week. Your doctor can assess your risk with a blood test between the 23rd and 34th weeks. Positive results later in pregnancy may prompt discussion on managing maternal and fetal health, potentially including:
- Referral to a tertiary care center
- Preparation for delivery in severe cases
- Chronic hypertension treatment
Learn more about Second & Third Trimester Preeclampsia Confirmation Test
References:
1. Center of Disease Control and Prevention. Preeclampsia, Genomics and Public Health. October 25, 2022. https://blogs.cdc.gov/genomics/2022/10/25/preeclampsia/ Accessed November 14, 2023.
2. Preeclampsia Foundation. What is preeclampsia. https://www.preeclampsia.org/what-is-preeclampsia. Accessed August 11, 2023.
3. Mayo Clinic. Preeclampsia. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355745. Accessed August 11, 2023.
4. Fingar KR, Mabry-Hernandez I, Ngo-Metzger Q, Wolff T, Steiner CA, Elixhauser A. Delivery Hospitalizations Involving Preeclampsia and Eclampsia, 2005–2014. In: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Statistical Briefs . Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); April 2017.
5. NHS. Pre-eclampsia Complications. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/complications/. Accessed August 16, 2023.
6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Preeclampsia and Pregnancy [infographic]. ACOG. Published 2025. Accessed October 7, 2025. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/preeclampsia-and-pregnancy.
7. Metz TD, Berry RS, Fretts RC, et al. Pregnancy outcomes of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to delivery: a prospective cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;224(5):521.e1–521.e9. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.12.1206.