A new report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics confirms that gestational hypertension continues to climb across the United States, and the increase is not isolated to any single population or region.
From 2016 to 2024, the national rate of gestational hypertension rose 73%, from 6.0% to 10.4%. In 2024, approximately 1 in 10 mothers giving birth in the U.S. had gestational hypertension. The report found increases across every maternal age group, every race and Hispanic-origin group, every BMI category, and in every state and the District of Columbia.
These trends underscore the continued importance of identifying risk factors, monitoring blood pressure throughout pregnancy, and implementing evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Read the full CDC report.
What this means for hospitals and care teams
Leah Hanson, MSN, RN, C-EFM, C-ONQS, Senior Quality Improvement Specialist at Ob Hospitalist Group, shared her perspective on the report’s implications for maternal safety:
“I think our ability to impact the recognition and treatment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is one of OBHG’s major strengths. The report highlights a steady rise in gestational hypertension and reinforces the growing need for timely identification, rapid treatment, and continuous physician presence. OBHG is uniquely positioned to support hospitals in meeting these needs through 24/7 on-site obstetric coverage and standardized, evidence-based care.”
How OBHG supports better hypertension-related outcomes
Hanson outlined several ways OBHG’s model directly addresses the risks highlighted in the CDC report:
- A safety net for vulnerable patients. OBHG provides critical coverage for unassigned patients and those with limited prenatal care, populations that are disproportionately represented in the report’s highest-risk groups.
- On-site emergency evaluation through OBEDs. OBHG-operated and staffed OB Emergency Departments give pregnant and postpartum patients immediate access to specialized evaluation and treatment for severe hypertension.
- Rapid response to severe-range hypertension. Severe hypertension is a true medical emergency requiring intervention within 30 to 60 minutes. OBHG hospitalists champion timely recognition, escalation, and treatment, and take ownership of this process for the hospital.
- Standardized, evidence-based protocols. Consistent use of severe hypertension order sets, magnesium sulfate protocols, and clear escalation pathways across providers and shifts reduces variability in care.
- Continuous surveillance for disease progression. Round-the-clock presence allows early identification of patients transitioning from gestational hypertension to preeclampsia with severe features, and supports timely delivery decisions when indicated.
- Real-time detection of postpartum deterioration. OBHG hospitalists identify evolving cases of postpartum preeclampsia, particularly after the delivering physician has left the hospital, ensuring prompt evaluation and management.
- Stronger team readiness and safety culture. OBHG hospitalists lead drills, participate in huddles, and support ongoing compliance with AIM maternal safety bundle recommendations.
- Coordinated care with emergency departments. OBHG collaborates with EDs to establish effective workflows for identifying hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, ensuring patients receive care in the most appropriate setting.
The bottom line
Rising rates of gestational hypertension demand consistent, round-the-clock clinical vigilance. As the nation’s largest dedicated OB/GYN hospitalist provider, OBHG’s model of continuous, on-site obstetric coverage and standardized protocols is built to meet this need, helping hospitals close gaps in recognition and treatment before complications escalate.
Learn more about how OBHG supports maternal safety.