What condition is characterized by high blood pressure and swelling during pregnancy?

The condition characterized by high blood pressure and swelling during pregnancy is preeclampsia. This condition typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and is marked by the development of hypertension and proteinuria (excess protein in the urine) along with edema, which is swelling due to fluid retention.

Preeclampsia is particularly significant because it can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby if not closely monitored and managed. Signs of swelling often come from fluid retention, which is exacerbated by the high blood pressure associated with the condition. While gestational hypertension also involves high blood pressure during pregnancy, it lacks the accompanying proteinuria and the serious potential consequences that characterize preeclampsia. Eclampsia represents a severe progression of preeclampsia that includes seizures, making it an even more serious condition. Placenta previa, on the other hand, involves the placenta being abnormally positioned in the lower part of the uterus, which can lead to bleeding but is not primarily characterized by high blood pressure or swelling. Thus, the key indicators of preeclampsia—elevated blood pressure and swelling—define it as the correct answer.