When does gestational hypertension typically onset during pregnancy?

Gestational hypertension is characterized by the development of high blood pressure after the 20th week of gestation. This timing is crucial because it distinguishes gestational hypertension from other hypertensive disorders that may occur earlier in pregnancy, such as chronic hypertension. The diagnosis of gestational hypertension specifically applies to cases where a previously normotensive woman develops elevated blood pressure readings during late pregnancy.

Hypertension that develops before the 20th week may suggest that an underlying chronic condition is present, making it essential to recognize this time frame to ensure proper management and monitoring throughout the pregnancy. Conditions affecting blood pressure that arise in earlier weeks, or at the onset of labor, would not fit the criteria for gestational hypertension. Thus, recognizing that gestational hypertension typically begins after the 20th week is key to understanding the clinical implications and necessary interventions during pregnancy.