Post natal pre-eclampsia: what to know

Pre-eclampsia can begin during pregnancy or appear after delivery, including in someone whose pregnancy checks were reassuring. It may involve high blood pressure and changes affecting organs such as the kidneys, liver or brain. Symptoms can be subtle, so a blood pressure reading and urine or blood tests may be needed.

Warning symptoms include a severe or persistent headache, blurred vision or flashing lights, pain under the ribs, sudden swelling, nausea, vomiting, chest pain or shortness of breath. Learn more about Pre-eclampsia if you want the broader condition explained.

If you have concerning symptoms after delivery, contact your maternity team or urgent medical service promptly and say that you recently gave birth. Take any prescribed blood-pressure medicine exactly as directed, record readings if you have been asked to monitor them, and attend follow-up checks. Do not dismiss symptoms as ordinary tiredness or a difficult recovery.

Your care team may review your pregnancy and delivery history, including an Antenatal Care Package, to understand previous readings and arrange continuing monitoring. Treatment decisions are individual and may involve hospital observation.

Seek emergency care immediately for a severe headache that does not settle, vision changes, confusion, a seizure, chest pain, marked breathlessness, fainting or severe pain beneath the ribs. High blood pressure with feeling unwell also needs urgent assessment. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused or severely unwell.

What is my blood pressure target? How often should I check it? Which symptoms mean I should return to hospital? Are my medicines suitable while breastfeeding? When will my urine, blood tests and blood pressure be reviewed?