What's a normal blood pressure reading in pregnancy?
In short
- Blood pressure is measured with a cuff on your arm, as two numbers, like "120 over 80".
- It's checked at every antenatal visit.
- 140 (the top number) or 90 (the bottom number) or higher, twice, 4 hours apart, counts as high.
- Your doctor will explain your own readings, and whether you need follow-up.
What happens
- A cuff is wrapped around your upper arm and inflated briefly.
- The machine or your provider reads off two numbers: the systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) pressure, in mm Hg.
- This is repeated at every antenatal visit so your provider can watch for any rise over time.
The details: numbers and where they differ
The numbers
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension in pregnancy (diagnostic threshold) (pregnant women, previously normal blood pressure, ≥20 weeks gestation, on two occasions ≥4 hours apart) | ≥140/≥90 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic) | American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) |
When to call your doctor
- If you get a severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, or pain under your ribs — call promptly, even between scheduled visits.
- If you're told your reading is high and you don't have a follow-up plan.
Discuss your results with your doctor: this page reports what these sources say, not advice for your situation.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy (Patient FAQ). Named as the guideline this section describes; its text and tables are not reproduced here (All rights reserved (cite only)). States the diagnostic threshold for hypertension in pregnancy as a systolic reading of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic reading of 90 mm Hg or higher.
Sources checked 2026-09-26. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.