There is no proven way to prevent preeclampsia. But some women are more likely to develop it, including:

• Women with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure before becoming pregnant).
• Women who developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy, especially if these conditions occurred early in the pregnancy.
• Women who are obese prior to pregnancy.
• Pregnant women under the age of 20 or over the age of 40.
• Women who are pregnant with more than one baby.
• Women with diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.