Print Print
CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.

Hypertension in pregnancy - Management
How should I follow up a woman with chronic hypertension postpartum?

  • Measure blood pressure:
    • Daily for the first 2 days after birth.
    • At least once between day 3 and day 5 after birth.
    • As clinically indicated if the woman's antihypertensive treatment is changed after birth.
  • Aim to keep blood pressure lower than 140/90 mmHg.
  • For the first 2 weeks after the birth:
    • Continue the antihypertensive treatment used during pregnancy, unless the woman is taking methyldopa.
    • If she is taking methyldopa, this should be stopped 2 days after the birth, as it may increase the risk of depression. Antihypertensive treatment that the woman took before planning a pregnancy should be restarted unless there are contraindications to a particular drug because the woman is breastfeeding or is planning further pregnancies.
  • Review antihypertensive treatment.
    • Review long-term antihypertensive treatment 2 weeks after the birth.
      • Consider restarting the woman's pre-pregnancy hypertensive treatment unless there are contraindications to a particular drug because she is breastfeeding or planning further pregnancies.
      • Target blood pressures will be those used in the long-term treatment of hypertension. For more information, see the CKS topic on Hypertension - not diabetic, or for women with diabetes, see the CKS topic on Diabetes type 2.
    • Ensure that future antihypertensive treatment and monitoring is discussed in primary care 6–8 weeks after the birth at her postnatal review.

© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement