What is a possible complication of untreated hypertension during pregnancy?

Untreated hypertension during pregnancy can lead to several complications, one of which is premature birth. When a mother has high blood pressure, it can affect blood flow to the placenta, which in turn can lead to complications for the developing fetus. These complications may necessitate an early delivery to protect the health of both the mother and the baby.

Premature birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, poses various risks for the infant, including respiratory distress syndrome, feeding difficulties, and longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit. Additionally, conditions related to uncontrolled hypertension, such as preeclampsia or eclampsia, can amplify the need for preterm delivery to prevent severe maternal and fetal morbidity or mortality.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the well-documented complications associated with untreated hypertension in pregnancy. For instance, there is no proven increased risk of gestational diabetes linked to hypertension. Increased fetal movement is not a direct complication; in fact, reduced fetal movement may be a sign of distress. Lastly, untreated hypertension typically increases, rather than decreases, the likelihood of cesarean delivery due to complications that may arise, such as fetal distress or the need for emergency interventions.