Does Preeclampsia Come from the Male?

Whether you’re navigating your first pregnancy or this isn’t your first rodeo, it’s not out of this world to still feel like a beginner. Your body is changing and reacting to growing a baby, which can look unique for each person and each pregnancy. For some women, this can include intolerable morning sickness, unexpected random cravings, or developing conditions like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

While nausea and fatigue may bubble to the surface in your first trimester, the early signs of preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication related to your blood pressure that can impact both mom and baby) don’t typically start showing up until after your 20-week milestone.

Does preeclampsia come from the male or female?

Preeclampsia doesn’t come from just the male or just the female. It’s not an either or situation. It’s a complex condition that seems to develop from an interplay between the pregnant person’s body, the placenta, and genetic factors from both parents.

That’s where this question gets tricky. The question about whether preeclampsia originates from dad or mom is a little bit more complicated.

Most of what we know right now focuses on maternal risk factors, because preeclampsia shows up in the pregnant person’s body and affects things like blood pressure, kidneys, and the placenta. Certain pre-existing conditions can increase someone’s risk for preeclampsia. Some of those pre-existing conditions include being pregnant with more than one baby, a first pregnancy, a history of kidney disease, preeclampsia, high blood pressure, or getting pregnant through IVF.

At the same time, researchers are starting to look more closely at the paternal side of the equation, especially because the placenta contains genetic material from both parents. That’s where sperm quality, immune compatibility, and placental development may play a role. “Some studies, like one for the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2021, suggest that preeclampsia may be related to paternal factors,” explains Dr. Eduardo Hariton, MD, MBA, a fertility specialist at the Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Are. “However, more research is needed in this area. It is not typically determined by testing the male partner but by evaluating family history and risk factors.”

In other words, there’s no test that points a finger at one parent. Doctors aren’t trying to assign blame. They’re focused on identifying risk early, monitoring symptoms closely, and keeping both parent and baby as safe as possible.

And while a doctor will focus more on the course of action to curb any potential added risk, this doesn’t mean that your physical and mental health isn’t strained by the possibility or confirmed diagnosis of having preeclampsia. Wondering where it came from is completely human. What matters most is that you’re supported, monitored, and taken seriously every step of the way.

What is preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that involves high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, and it usually shows up after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Dr. Hariton explains that preeclampsia is “characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, often involving the kidneys or liver.” In some cases, it can also affect the brain, blood clotting, or how well the placenta functions.

It’s also more common than many people realize. According to the CDC, anywhere from 5 to 7% of pregnancies are affected by the condition. That’s one reason providers take blood pressure checks and urine tests so seriously at prenatal visits. They’re looking for early warning signs before symptoms escalate.

Preeclampsia exists on a spectrum of severity. Some people experience mild symptoms that are closely monitored through the rest of pregnancy. Others may develop more serious complications that require medication, hospitalization, or early delivery. There’s also a subtype called early onset preeclampsia, which develops before 34 weeks and often needs more intensive care.

While preeclampsia cannot always be prevented, steps such as maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure, taking prenatal vitamins with calcium and folic acid, and regularly attending prenatal check-ups can reduce risk, says Dr. Hariton. She also adds that a doctor may prescribe low-dose aspirin for anyone who is at high risk of preeclampsia.

If all of this feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Preeclampsia can sound scary, but early detection and consistent care make a real difference. The goal is always the same: keeping you and your baby as safe and supported as possible.

Is preeclampsia caused by men? What the research shows

The short answer is no. Preeclampsia is not caused by men. But the longer, more accurate answer is that paternal factors may influence risk, and researchers are still working to understand how.

This line of research exists because the placenta contains genetic material from both parents. That means pregnancy complications that involve placental development, including preeclampsia, can’t be fully explained by maternal health alone. Scientists are now exploring how sperm quality, immune compatibility, and paternal genetics may shape how the placenta forms and functions early in pregnancy.

One leading idea centers on the immune response. During pregnancy, the pregnant person’s immune system has to tolerate foreign proteins from the embryo, including those that come from the father. Some researchers, like those for the Canadian Journal of Cardiology for a 2024 study, believe that in certain situations, the immune system may respond differently to paternal proteins, which could affect placental development and blood vessel formation. This theory helps explain why preeclampsia is more common in first pregnancies and why immune adaptation may play a role.

Other studies, like one for MDPI Biology in 2024, have looked at sperm quality, including DNA fragmentation and epigenetic markers. Poor sperm quality has been associated with abnormal placental development in some research, which could increase the risk of conditions like preeclampsia. That said, these findings are early and don’t mean sperm issues directly cause preeclampsia. They suggest a possible contribution, not a guarantee.

Researchers have also observed that changing partners between pregnancies may be linked to a higher risk of preeclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy. One hypothesis from a 1999 study for the Journal of Reproductive Immunology is that the immune system has to adjust to a new set of paternal antigens, which may influence placental tolerance. Again, this is an association, not proof of causation.

Ultimately, this area of science is still evolving. The research is ongoing, the data is incomplete, and many questions remain unanswered. Most clinicians don’t assess paternal factors directly when managing preeclampsia risk, because maternal health history and pregnancy symptoms remain the strongest predictors.

How is preeclampsia tied to men?

Researchers are exploring several possible mechanisms that could connect paternal factors to preeclampsia risk. These include paternal genetics and how certain genes are expressed in the placenta, immune compatibility between partners, and the role of sperm in early placental development. Understanding these pathways could eventually improve risk assessment and prevention strategies, especially for people with a history of preeclampsia.

For now, the takeaway is balance. Preeclampsia is not anyone’s “fault.” It’s a complex condition shaped by multiple biological systems, many of which are still being mapped. Exploring paternal contributions doesn’t shift blame. It expands understanding, which is how better screening, prevention, and care ultimately happen.

Maternal risk factors for preeclampsia

Preeclampsia doesn’t come out of nowhere, but it also isn’t something you can always predict or prevent. That said, doctors do know certain maternal risk factors that make someone more likely to develop it. Having one or more of these doesn’t mean you’ll get preeclampsia. It just means your care team may want to keep a closer eye on things.

Some of the most well established maternal risk factors include:

• First pregnancy: Preeclampsia is more common in first pregnancies, as found in 2009 research for the BMJ, likely because the body is adapting to pregnancy related changes for the first time.
• Multiple pregnancy: Carrying twins or triplets increases strain on the placenta and cardiovascular system, which raises risk, according to 2008 research for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• History of high blood pressure or kidney disease: These conditions can affect how the body regulates blood pressure and fluid balance during pregnancy, according to the UK NHS.
• Previous preeclampsia: If you’ve had preeclampsia before, especially a severe or early onset case, your risk is higher in future pregnancies.
• IVF pregnancy: Pregnancies conceived through IVF have a higher association with preeclampsia, particularly in certain situations, according to 2019 research for the American Heart Association.
• Obesity and other pre existing conditions: Conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, clotting conditions (like thrombophilia or APS) or metabolic issues can increase overall risk, according to a 2022 review for Springer Nature.
• Age factors: Being under 20 or over 40 at the time of pregnancy is associated with a higher likelihood of developing preeclampsia.
• Genetics: Genetics may also play a role. If preeclampsia runs in your family, either on your side or a biological parent’s side, your provider may take that into account when assessing risk.

If this list feels overwhelming, take a breath. Risk factors are tools for awareness, not predictions or blame. Knowing them helps you and your provider stay proactive, spot changes earlier, and make decisions that support a healthier pregnancy wherever possible.

Can preeclampsia be prevented?

The honest answer is that preeclampsia can’t always be prevented, even if you do everything “right.” But there are steps that may lower risk and help catch problems earlier, which can make a meaningful difference in outcomes.

Doctors often focus on prevention through overall health support and close monitoring. That includes maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy, managing existing blood pressure concerns, and staying consistent with prenatal care. Taking prenatal vitamins that include calcium and folic acid is also commonly recommended, since both support healthy pregnancy processes.

For people who are considered high risk, a provider may recommend low dose aspirin during pregnancy. This isn’t something to start on your own, but when prescribed, it has been shown to reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia in certain groups. Regular prenatal checkups matter just as much. These visits allow your care team to track blood pressure trends and spot subtle changes before symptoms escalate.

There’s also growing interest in whether preeclampsia can be predicted earlier. Some emerging research from 2024 for Medical Science Monitor looks at blood based markers that may help identify risk sooner, though these tools aren’t yet part of routine care.

Stress management can play a role too. While stress alone doesn’t cause preeclampsia, chronic stress can affect blood pressure and overall health. Finding ways to support your mental wellbeing, whether through rest, boundaries, therapy, or mindfulness, is part of taking care of your whole body.

If prevention feels like a heavy word, try reframing it as risk reduction and awareness. You’re not responsible for controlling every variable. What you can do is stay informed, show up for care, and advocate for yourself along the way. That counts for a lot.

How is preeclampsia diagnosed?

Preeclampsia is usually diagnosed through a combination of routine screening and follow up testing, which is why those regular prenatal visits matter more than they sometimes get credit for. Many people don’t feel obvious symptoms at first, so diagnosis often starts with what your provider notices during checkups rather than how you feel day to day.

The first and most important piece is blood pressure monitoring. If your readings are consistently higher than normal after 20 weeks of pregnancy, your provider will take a closer look. One high reading alone doesn’t mean preeclampsia, but repeated elevated numbers raise concern.

Another key step is testing for protein in the urine, which can be a sign that the kidneys aren’t functioning as they should. This is why urine samples are commonly collected at appointments, especially if blood pressure starts trending upward.

If preeclampsia is suspected, your care team may order additional tests to understand how your body is being affected. These can include blood tests that check liver function, platelet counts, and kidney markers, as well as fetal monitoring to assess how your baby is doing. Together, these results help determine severity and guide next steps.

Screening typically becomes more focused in the second half of pregnancy, since preeclampsia most often develops after 20 weeks. That said, providers track blood pressure and symptoms throughout pregnancy so they have a clear baseline if changes show up later.

All of this is why regular prenatal care is so important. Even when you feel fine, those appointments give your provider the chance to spot early warning signs, intervene sooner, and adjust care before complications develop. In many cases, early detection is what makes preeclampsia manageable rather than dangerous.

What happens after a preeclampsia diagnosis?

First, let’s focus on how you’ll be diagnosed. According to Dr. Hariton, your care team will track your blood pressure and the presence of a specific protein in your urine to determine if you have preeclampsia. These checks help your provider understand how your body is responding and whether the condition is staying stable or progressing.

What happens next depends largely on how severe the preeclampsia is and how far along you are. “Treatment depends on the severity and timing of the diagnosis,” explains Dr. Hariton. “For mild cases, monitoring and lifestyle modifications may suffice, while severe cases often require hospitalization, medications to lower blood pressure, and early delivery.” For some people, that looks like more frequent appointments and home blood pressure checks. For others, it may mean staying in the hospital so symptoms can be closely managed around the clock.

Like with many aspects of pregnancy, the list of what you can control is often not as long as you wish it was. However, with early detection and preemptive care like taking the right vitamins or attending regular checkups, you can reduce your risk as much as possible and catch changes sooner rather than later.

Navigating preeclampsia as a couple

A preeclampsia diagnosis doesn’t just affect one person. It shows up in the relationship, the routines, and the emotional load you’re both carrying. Navigating it as a couple starts with remembering that you’re on the same side, even when fear or uncertainty makes communication feel harder than usual.

Bronstein suggests staying grounded and prioritizing your self-care habits as you and your partner contend with preeclampsia and its risks. “It can be helpful to remember that your partner may be navigating a lot of stress, overwhelm and or anxiety, and that you are on the same team,” adds Bronstein. Creating space for honest conversations, even short check-ins, can help both of you feel less alone in what’s happening.

Working as a team might look like dividing responsibilities, attending appointments together when possible, or simply agreeing on how you’ll handle updates from your care team. It can also help to decide together who you want to loop in. Some couples find relief in sharing the diagnosis with close family or friends, while others prefer to keep details private until things feel more stable. There’s no right choice here, just what feels supportive for both of you.

At the same time, it’s okay and healthy to have separate outlets. “Finding ways to work on healthy communication with your partner is key, in addition to finding your own outlets for processing stress and emotions,” says Bronstein. “Whether it's your own self-care practice, talking to a trusted loved one, if your partner is open to you sharing the diagnosis, or seeking your own therapy support so you have an open place to express your feelings.”

Preeclampsia can test even the strongest relationships, but it can also deepen connection when you give yourselves permission to feel, talk, and ask for help. You don’t have to do everything together, but you don’t have to do any of this alone either.

Supporting your partner through preeclampsia

If your partner has been diagnosed with preeclampsia, it’s normal to feel unsure about what to do or how to help. You can’t fix the condition, but your support genuinely matters, both emotionally and practically. Showing up in consistent, thoughtful ways can make this experience feel less scary and less lonely.

Here are some meaningful ways partners can help during this time:

• Attend appointments when you can: Being present at prenatal visits helps you understand what’s happening medically and shows your partner they’re not carrying this alone. It also gives you a chance to hear guidance directly from the care team and ask questions together.
• Learn the warning signs: Knowing symptoms like severe headaches, vision changes, sudden swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath means you can help spot changes early and advocate for care if something feels off.
• Help manage day to day stress: Preeclampsia often comes with added monitoring, fatigue, and anxiety. Taking on more household tasks, handling logistics, or protecting rest time can reduce physical and mental strain.
• Offer emotional reassurance without minimizing: You don’t need perfect words. Listening, validating fears, and avoiding phrases that rush positivity can go a long way. Sometimes support looks like sitting with the discomfort instead of trying to solve it.
• Be a calm second voice: Medical conversations can feel overwhelming. Helping remember instructions, track questions, or notice changes can ease the mental load and help your partner feel more grounded.
• Encourage rest and follow medical guidance: Supporting lifestyle recommendations like activity limits, medication schedules, or blood pressure checks helps reinforce that this is a team effort, not a solo responsibility.

Supporting someone through preeclampsia isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about being present, informed, and willing to step in where you can. That steady support can make a real difference during an unpredictable and emotionally heavy time.

The mental health impact of preeclampsia

A preeclampsia diagnosis doesn’t just affect the body. It can take a real toll on your mental health, too. Many people experience heightened stress, worry, or anxiety once monitoring increases or plans change. That response is understandable. When something feels uncertain or high risk, your nervous system is doing its best to protect you.

Mental health professionals often point out that some level of concern is normal during pregnancy, especially when complications are involved. But there’s an important line between expected worry and distress that starts to interfere with daily life. Ongoing anxiety, racing thoughts, panic, or a persistent sense of dread aren’t things you have to just push through.

Bronstein emphasizes the importance of paying attention to emotional shifts both during pregnancy and after delivery. Signs to watch for can include increased irritability, trouble sleeping unrelated to physical discomfort, feeling overwhelmed most of the time, frequent tearfulness, or pulling away from loved ones. After birth, mood changes that feel intense, prolonged, or scary may signal postpartum anxiety or depression and deserve prompt attention.

Support can take many forms. Therapy with a provider who understands pregnancy and postpartum mental health can offer a safe place to process fear, grief, or loss of control. Some people benefit from short term counseling focused on coping tools, while others need longer term support. There’s no one size fits all approach.

Community support matters, too. Connecting with others who have lived through preeclampsia can reduce isolation and remind you that what you’re feeling makes sense. If you want to hear what that experience can look like firsthand, our preeclampsia survivor story offers a powerful perspective.

If something feels off emotionally, trust that instinct. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a way of taking care of yourself during a time when you’re already carrying a lot.

Building your preeclampsia care team

Preeclampsia is not something you’re meant to manage on your own. Having the right care team in place can make a huge difference in how supported and informed you feel throughout pregnancy and after delivery.

That team usually starts with close, consistent contact with your OB or midwife. Regular appointments, clear communication, and knowing how to reach your provider if something feels off are key. Understanding warning signs and having guidance on when to seek additional medical attention can help reduce anxiety and prevent delays in care.

“Everyone's needs are different, and finding what works best for you is important,” says Bronstein. “Generally speaking, establishing a trusted care team is a great first step. Remaining in close contact with your OB and having an understanding of what to look out for can be helpful in knowing what is normal and when to seek additional medical attention. It can also be helpful to lean on your trusted support, whether that is a partner, friends, or family.”

Your care team doesn’t stop with medical professionals. Many people find it grounding to involve a partner, close friends, or family members who can help with appointments, daily responsibilities, or emotional support. Others benefit from virtual support groups or online communities where they can connect with people who truly understand what navigating preeclampsia feels like.

Care does not stop after delivery, either. Blood pressure issues related to preeclampsia can continue or even appear for the first time postpartum, which is why follow-up appointments and symptom awareness matter so much. If you want to learn more about what that can look like, our article on postpartum preeclampsia breaks it down in more detail.

Once you have your care team established and you know your doctor’s marching orders, you can also focus on the ways preeclampsia may be impacting your mental health. Support is not a bonus here. It’s part of care.

Does preeclampsia come from the dad? The bottom line

The most accurate answer right now is this: preeclampsia doesn’t come from one parent alone. What we know today points to the pregnant person’s body and how it responds to pregnancy as the primary driver, especially when it comes to blood pressure changes and placental function. At the same time, emerging research suggests that paternal factors may influence risk in subtle ways, particularly through genetics and early placental development.

That complexity is exactly why trying to assign blame doesn’t help anyone. Preeclampsia is not caused by something a partner did or didn’t do, and it’s not something the pregnant person failed to prevent. It’s a medical condition shaped by biology, not fault.

What is useful is focusing on what can be controlled. Regular prenatal care, blood pressure monitoring, risk reduction strategies when appropriate, and early detection all play a meaningful role in outcomes. These tools allow care teams to act quickly and adjust plans as needed, which is where real protection happens.

Preeclampsia management works best as a team effort. That includes the pregnant person, their partner if they have one, medical providers, and any additional support along the way. When everyone understands the risks, warning signs, and plan of care, it becomes easier to respond with clarity instead of fear.

Knowledge doesn’t eliminate uncertainty, but it does create power. Understanding how preeclampsia works, staying engaged in care, and leaning on the right support can help you move through this experience feeling informed, supported, and far less alone.