Risk factors

Preeclampsia develops only as a complication of pregnancy. Risk factors include:

• History of preeclampsia. A personal or family history of preeclampsia significantly raises your risk of preeclampsia.
• Chronic hypertension. If you already have chronic hypertension, you have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia.
• First pregnancy. The risk of developing preeclampsia is highest during your first pregnancy.
• New paternity. Each pregnancy with a new partner increases the risk of preeclampsia more than does a second or third pregnancy with the same partner.
• Age. The risk of preeclampsia is higher for very young pregnant women as well as pregnant women older than 35.
• Race. Black women have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia than women of other races.
• Obesity. The risk of preeclampsia is higher if you're obese.
• Multiple pregnancy. Preeclampsia is more common in women who are carrying twins, triplets or other multiples.
• Interval between pregnancies. Having babies less than two years or more than 10 years apart leads to a higher risk of preeclampsia.
• History of certain conditions. Having certain conditions before you become pregnant — such as chronic high blood pressure, migraines, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, a tendency to develop blood clots, or lupus — increases your risk of preeclampsia.
• In vitro fertilization. Your risk of preeclampsia is increased if your baby was conceived with in vitro fertilization.