How long does postpartum hypertension last

In general, drugs — and often combinations of drugs — should be chosen for their effectiveness. Provider choices will largely be driven by their clinical experience. Nifedipine has been used in pregnancy for reduction in contractions without apparent adverse effects on fetuses. Labetalol: Because of the low levels of labetalol in breast milk, amounts ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in full-term breastfed infants.

No special precautions are required in most infants6. Furosemide is a diuretic that works to decrease the circulating blood volume.

Treatment is particularly important for women with life-threatening conditions such as pulmonary edema, heart failure, and very severe hypertension. Concerns have been raised that reduction in maternal blood volume might reduce the volume of breast milk.

This concern is increased by the need in pregnancies where the baby may have delivered preterm and breastfeeding is challenging to establish.

In response to these concerns, furosemide has been studied as an agent to suppress lactation — and there is no evidence to suggest it suppresses milk production. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors are agents that open blood vessels to reduce pressure. They have special beneficial properties for women with diabetes or renal disease. There are many choices of these inhibitors, but studies have shown enalapril use during breastfeeding may be most effective with minimal exposure to the baby.

Magnesium sulfate is started prior to delivery to reduce the risks of maternal seizures, eclampsia. Most protocols recommend continuation for 24 hours postpartum when the risk for seizures remains high. In some circumstances such as incomplete blood pressure control or a concerning clinical profile, treatment may exceed 24 hours. Nutrition after giving birth is critical to good health. Preeclampsia strikes fast. Prevention is your best weapon. Read on Postpartum preeclampsia can only happen after the baby is born.

Other common symptoms include:. The exact cause is unknown. However, your risk of getting it is higher if you had high blood pressure after the 20th week of your pregnancy. Other risk factors include obesity , a family history of high blood pressure, age younger than 20 and older than 40 , and being pregnant with multiple babies twins, triplets, or more. Your doctor will check your blood pressure before you leave the hospital after giving birth. It will be checked again at your post-birth doctor visits.

If your doctor suspects you have the condition, a blood test and urine test can provide more information. A blood test involves inserting a small needle connected to a syringe into the vein in your arm to collect a sample of blood.

If your blood pressure is too high, your doctor may send you to the hospital for overnight observation. This condition cannot be prevented or avoided.

Know your body. If you have any of the symptoms listed, contact your doctor immediately. Certain blood pressure medicines are used to treat this condition. Walls RM, et al. Acute complications of pregnancy. Elsevier; Sharma KJ, et al. Postpartum hypertension: Etiology, diagnosis, and management. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey. Redman EK, et al. Clinical course, associated factors, and blood pressure profile of delayed-onset postpartum preeclampsia.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion No. Dipierto L, et al. Benefits of physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum: An umbrella review. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

Marshall, chief of the stroke division at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. This piece was originally reported on February 12, A new study concludes that drinking and pregnancy are not a healthy mix. There's still disagreement over how much is too much. Studies show that excess weight gain in pregnancy poses a host of health issues for both the mother and her child. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.