What characterizes gestational hypertension?

Gestational hypertension is specifically characterized by the onset of elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, typically occurring after the 20th week of gestation. This condition is distinct because it appears in a previously normotensive individual and usually resolves post-delivery. In gestational hypertension, the elevation in blood pressure is transient and is not accompanied by proteinuria.

In contrast to the other conditions listed, gestational hypertension does not occur before mid-pregnancy, nor does it present with proteinuria, which is more indicative of preeclampsia. Additionally, chronic hypertension refers to high blood pressure that is present before pregnancy or diagnosed prior to the 20-week mark and does not fit the definition of gestational hypertension. Thus, the correct answer effectively encapsulates the core characteristics of gestational hypertension, emphasizing the timing of the blood pressure elevation during pregnancy.