Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Surgery

There is no surgical treatment for high blood pressure during pregnancy or for preeclampsia.

Surgical cesarean section delivery is used when:

• A rapid delivery is medically needed for the mother's or fetus's well-being or survival.
• Induction of labor has not been successful, usually within a 24-hour period.
• There are medical reasons, such as placenta previa, that make vaginal delivery dangerous.

For more information, see the topic Cesarean Section.

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Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: November 22, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology
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