Prenatal preeclampsia is a fairly common condition that your provider will monitor throughout your pregnancy. But did you know preeclampsia can also occur after your baby is born? Here’s what you should know about postpartum preeclampsia, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment of this condition.
What Is Postpartum Preeclampsia?
Much like prenatal preeclampsia, postpartum preeclampsia occurs when you have high blood pressure and excess protein in your urine following childbirth. The causes of this blood pressure disorder aren’t completely understood, and symptoms can appear and worsen quickly in postpartum women. It’s possible to have postpartum preeclampsia without ever experiencing preeclampsia during your pregnancy.
While postpartum preeclampsia is rare, it typically occurs in the first seven days following delivery but can happen up to six weeks postpartum. If left untreated, it can have a serious effect on the body’s organs, and can lead to stroke, seizures and other serious health issues.
What Are the Risk Factors for Postpartum Preeclampsia?
While not comprehensive, existing research suggests that risk factors for postpartum preeclampsia may include:
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Obesity
- Pregnancy with multiples
- Family or personal history of preeclampsia or postpartum preeclampsia
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Diabetes (Type 1 & 2)
What Are the Signs of Postpartum Preeclampsia?
The biggest indicator that something isn’t quite right is an abnormal blood pressure reading. Blood pressure readings have two numbers, separated by a slash. The first, called the systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in the blood vessels when your heart beats. The second, called the diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests.
You should seek medical attention immediately if your systolic reading is 140mm Hg or higher, and/or your diastolic reading is 90 mm Hg or higher.
Other symptoms that warrant an immediate phone call to your healthcare provider include:
- Changes in vision, such as seeing spots, blurring, or light sensitivity
- A constant severe headache
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the face or the hands
- Pain in the shoulder or abdomen, especially on the upper right side
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden weight gain of 2-3 pounds or more in a week
If your provider suspects you might have postpartum preeclampsia, they may conduct blood tests to check your liver and kidney function, screen for protein in your urine, and possibly do a brain scan to determine if you may have had a seizure.
How Is Postpartum Preeclampsia Treated?
Luckily, the treatment for postpartum preeclampsia is fairly straightforward using medications to lower blood pressure. If necessary, medication may also be given through an IV to prevent seizures from occurring.
While we know this condition can sound a bit scary, knowing the signs is an important step in taking care of your health postpartum. And the great news is that once treatment occurs, the outlook for a full recovery is extremely favorable. As always, if you have any concerns about your health during or after your pregnancy, it’s important to contact your provider right away.