New research continues to affirm what maternal health advocates have long known: pregnancy is a powerful window into long-term health. One of the most promising areas of study is blood pressure monitoring, which is proving to be not just essential for a healthy pregnancy, but a potential predictor of future cardiovascular disease — the leading cause of death in the United States.
For many women, pregnancy may be the first meaningful interaction with the healthcare system in years. National data shows that two in ten women lack a regular source of healthcare, and many rely on walk-in clinics or community health centers for episodic needs. Younger women (ages 18–24), those who are uninsured, and those with lower incomes are especially less likely to have access to regular, preventive care. For example, only 41% of uninsured women have had a general check-up in the past two years, compared to 73% of women overall.
Once the baby is born, the focus of care often shifts entirely to the child — and mothers, especially those with limited access to care, may not see a provider again for some time. That makes pregnancy a rare, time-bound opportunity to capture critical health data, screen for chronic disease, and begin interventions that can shape long-term health outcomes.
Blood pressure is a prime example. Research has long supported the value of monitoring blood pressure for identifying and managing hypertension disorders of pregnancy, especially for high risk populations. However, a new study shows that it has benefits for all women, extending far past the pregnancy and postpartum period.
The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, shows that blood pressure patterns during pregnancy — including trajectory and variability — can signal future cardiovascular risk. Notably, it found that blood pressure patterns before 20 weeks gestation — a period traditionally considered less clinically significant for hypertensive disorders — are linked to the development of hypertension years after pregnancy. This represents a shift from prior research and guidelines, which have largely focused on BP monitoring after 20 weeks for the detection and management of conditions like preeclampsia. The findings suggest that early-pregnancy blood pressure may offer a new, underutilized opportunity to assess long-term cardiovascular risk.
Monitoring these early signals is especially critical in populations that face barriers to postpartum care or are unlikely to remain engaged in the healthcare system after giving birth — groups that are often at higher risk for chronic conditions yet less likely to receive timely intervention.
And the value of pregnancy-based screening goes beyond physical health. Initiating prenatal care provides a vital opportunity to check in on mental health, social needs, and structural risk factors that contribute to maternal and long-term health outcomes. Recent guidelines from ACOG reinforce this approach, emphasizing the importance of personalized, risk-based care that reflects not only clinical factors but also the lived experiences and social realities of each patient.
In short, pregnancy is not just a clinical episode — it’s a crucial public health moment and one that should be maximized to its fullest potential.
About Anish Sebastian
Anish Sebastian co-founded Babyscripts in 2014 with the vision that internet-enabled medical devices and big data would transform the delivery of pregnancy care. Since the company’s inception, they have raised more than $40 million. As the CEO of Babyscripts, Anish has focused his efforts on product and software development, as well as research validation of their product.
