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 To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?'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 do I manage a woman with postpartum pre-eclampsia or eclampsia?
- Consider the possibility of imminent pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in a woman up to 4 weeks postpartum (even if she has not had previous hypertension or pre-eclampsia) if she develops any of the following:
- Severe headaches (increasing frequency unrelieved by regular analgesics).
- Vision problems, such as blurred vision, flashing lights, double vision, or floating spots.
- Persistent new epigastric pain or pain in the right upper quadrant.
- Vomiting.
- Hypertension.
- Proteinuria.
- Breathlessness due to pulmonary oedema.
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet.
- Consider the possibility of eclampsia in any woman who has a seizure within 4 weeks of delivery.
- All women with suspected postpartum pre-eclampsia or eclampsia should be admitted to hospital for immediate assessment.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement