Postpartum hypertension treatment

A clinician considers your blood-pressure readings, symptoms, delivery history, kidney function and other medicines. Treatment may involve an oral blood-pressure medicine, observation with repeat checks, or hospital care when readings are very high or complications are suspected. Some medicines are suitable during breastfeeding, but your prescriber must choose and adjust them for you.

Take each dose on the agreed schedule and measure at the times your care team recommends. Keep a written record of readings and symptoms, attend blood and urine checks when requested, and ask before stopping treatment. Tell the team about dizziness, faintness, reduced urine, breastfeeding and any non-prescription medicines.

Seek emergency care for severe headache, visual changes, chest pain, breathing difficulty, confusion, seizure, weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, or severe upper-abdominal pain. Contact your clinician promptly if readings remain high, symptoms return, or medicine causes troubling dizziness.

Ask how to take and monitor the medicine, whether it is compatible with breastfeeding, when treatment can be reviewed, and what to do after a missed dose.