Postpartum preeclampsia

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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Postpartum preeclampsia is treated with medication, including:

  • Medication to prevent seizures. An anticonvulsive medication, such as magnesium sulfate, can help prevent seizures. Magnesium sulfate is typically taken for 24 hours. After treatment with magnesium sulfate, your health care provider will closely monitor your blood pressure, urination and other symptoms.
  • Medication to lower high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is dangerously high and an anticonvulsive medication doesn't lower it, your health care provider might prescribe another medication to lower your blood pressure (antihypertensive medication).

If you're breast-feeding, ask your health care provider whether it's safe to continue breast-feeding while taking medication to treat postpartum preeclampsia.

Coping and support Tests and diagnosis
References
  1. Al-Safi Z, et al. Delayed postpartum preeclampsia and eclampsia. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011;118:1102.
  2. Delayed postpartum preeclampsia: An experience of 151 cases. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2004;190:1464.
  3. Yancey LM, et al. Postpartum preeclampsia: Emergency department presentation and management. The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2011;40:380.
  4. Andrus SS, et al. Postpartum preeclampsia occurring after resolution of antepartum preeclampsia. The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2010;38:168.
  5. Ascarelli MH, et al. Postpartum preeclampsia management with furosemide: A randomized clinical trial. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2005;105:29.
  6. Sibai BM, et al. Diagnosis and management of atypical preeclampsia-eclampsia. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;200:481.e1.
  7. Berens P. Overview of postpartum care. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 1, 2012.
  8. Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1528/0.html. Accessed March 2, 2012.
  9. Your guide to breastfeeding. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide. Accessed Feb. 24, 2012.
  10. Norwitz ER, et al. Preeclampsia: Management and prognosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed March 5, 2012.
  11. Pregnancy: Your guide to lowering high blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/issues/preg/preg.htm. Accessed March 5, 2012.
  12. August P, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of preeclampsia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 5, 2012.
  13. Steegers EA, et al. Pre-eclampsia. The Lancet. 2010;376:631.
  14. Sibai B. HELLP syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 5, 2012.
  15. Norwitz ER. Eclampsia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 5, 2012.
  16. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2011. http://dorlands.com/index.jsp. Accessed March 5, 2012.
  17. Larsen WI, et al. Risk factors for late postpartum preeclampsia. Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 2012;57:35.
  18. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 7, 2012.
DS01199 April 26, 2012

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