Kidney disease and high blood pressure in pregnancy

Often, pregnancy does not cause a kidney disorder to worsen. Usually, kidney disorders worsen only in pregnant women who have high blood pressure that is not well-controlled. If pregnant women have a kidney disorder, they are more likely to develop high blood pressure, including preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy).

Having a chronic kidney disorder before becoming pregnant increases the risk that the fetus will not grow as much as expected (small for gestational age) or be stillborn. Having a severe kidney disorder usually prevents women from carrying a baby to term.

In pregnant women who have a kidney disorder, kidney function and blood pressure are monitored closely, as is growth of the fetus.