Which condition is characterized by swelling of the hands and face during pregnancy?

Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine, which typically occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. One of the classic signs of preeclampsia is edema, or swelling, particularly in the hands and face. This swelling is a result of fluid retention and increased blood volume, which can occur as the body's response to the developing fetus. The presence of these symptoms, along with elevated blood pressure, indicates that preeclampsia could be developing and requires careful monitoring and medical intervention to prevent complications for both the mother and baby.

In contrast, while gestational diabetes can have many effects on a pregnancy, it does not primarily manifest with swelling of the hands and face. Cholestasis typically presents with itching but not with significant edema, and placenta previa involves abnormal implantation of the placenta and does not cause edema as a primary symptom. Therefore, the defining symptoms of preeclampsia make it the correct choice when considering swelling of the hands and face during pregnancy.