Signs of preeclampsia after birth

Postpartum preeclampsia refers to pregnancy-related high blood pressure and organ effects that appear after delivery. Warning signs may include a severe headache that does not settle, blurred vision or flashing lights, pain under the ribs, sudden swelling of the face or hands, nausea, breathlessness, chest discomfort, or a feeling that something is seriously wrong. Normal tiredness after birth does not explain severe or worsening symptoms. A blood-pressure reading can help, but feeling unwell still deserves advice when no monitor is available.

Call your maternity unit or urgent medical service as soon as concerning symptoms appear. Mention when you gave birth, whether you had high blood pressure during pregnancy, and every medicine you are taking. If you have a home monitor, sit quietly and take a reading as directed by your clinician, without delaying care. Arrange another adult to stay with you and help with the baby while you are assessed.

Use emergency services for a seizure, severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe upper-abdominal pain, or sudden major vision changes. Do not drive yourself after a seizure or when vision is impaired. Hospital assessment may include repeated blood-pressure readings, urine testing, and blood tests. Treatment and monitoring are chosen around your symptoms and results; having had a caesarean section or induction does not by itself explain away a red flag.

Ask how long postpartum blood-pressure monitoring should continue, which headache medicines are compatible with feeding, what reading or symptom requires immediate help, and when blood and urine tests should be repeated.