User:Jennab3000/Pre-eclampsia

Postpartum preeclampsia
Preeclampsia can also occur in the postpartum period or after delivery. There are currently no clear definitions or guidelines for postpartum preeclampsia, but experts have proposed a definition of new-onset preeclampsia that occurs between 48 hours after delivery up to 6 weeks after delivery.

The diagnostic criteria otherwise are essentially the same as for preeclampsia diagnosed during pregnancy. Similarly, many of the risk factors are the same, except that not having been pregnant previously does not seem to be a risk factor for postpartum preeclampsia. There are other risk factors related to the labor and/or delivery that are associated with postpartum preeclampsia like cesarean delivery and higher rates of intravenous fluids.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends blood pressure evaluation for patients who have any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy within 7-10 days after delivery. Home blood pressure monitoring may increase the likelihood of measuring blood pressure during these recommended time periods.

In general, the treatment of postpartum preeclampsia is the same as during pregnancy, including using anti-hypertensive medications to lower blood pressure and magnesium sulfate to prevent eclampsia. The same blood pressure medications that are used during pregnancy can be used in the postpartum period. There may be other medications that can be used, when there is no longer concern for the developing fetus. In general, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers all appear to be safe in lactating patients. There is no data showing that any one medication is most effective for postpartum blood pressure management. In addition, there is evidence that the use of a diuretic, Furosemide, may shorten the duration of hypertension in patients with postpartum preeclampsia.