What is the purpose of monitoring a pregnant woman's blood pressure?

Monitoring a pregnant woman's blood pressure is crucial for assessing potential hypertension and related complications that can arise during pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Elevated blood pressure can lead to serious health risks for both the mother and the baby, including placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and even maternal organ dysfunction. Regular blood pressure checks allow healthcare providers to identify abnormal readings early, enabling timely intervention to prevent serious health outcomes.

Other options do not address the primary relevance of blood pressure monitoring. Tracking weight gain is important in its own right, but it is not directly related to blood pressure readings. Determining the baby's weight is typically done through ultrasound and does not involve maternal blood pressure. Evaluating diet is also important during pregnancy, but it is a separate consideration from blood pressure monitoring. Therefore, the accurate assessment of blood pressure during pregnancy focuses specifically on identifying hypertension and associated risks.