Postpartum Hypertension
If not treated properly, postpartum hypertension can cause complications, such as loss of vision and even death. Postpartum hypertension is a condition when a mother experiences high blood pressure after giving birth. The increase in blood pressure usually reaches its peak 3-6 days after delivery. However, high blood pressure can also last up to 6 months after giving birth.
The risk of postpartum hypertension may increase if the mother experiences the following conditions:
- Mothers who are overweight or underweight.
- The mother gave birth to twins or more.
- Mothers give birth to babies for the first time when they are over 40 years old.
- The mother suffered from certain diseases before becoming pregnant, such as diabetes or chronic high blood pressure.
Symptoms of Postpartum Hypertension
The following are some of the symptoms caused by postpartum hypertension:
- Severe headache
- Swollen feet or ankles
- Severe fatigue
- Arm, back, neck, or jaw pain
- Cold sweat or nausea
- Heart beat
- Weight increases drastically
If the mother experiences the symptoms above after giving birth, immediately consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Causes of Postpartum Hypertension
Until now, it is not known for certain what causes postpartum hypertension. However, there are several conditions that are thought to be related to or cause postpartum hypertension, including:
- Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine of pregnant women. Preeclampsia can occur when the pregnancy is more than 20 weeks old. Women who experience preeclampsia during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing postpartum hypertension. - Preeclampsia after childbirth
Preeclampsia can persist after delivery, but this condition is rare. Most preeclampsia after giving birth occurs within 48 hours after giving birth, but some also occur 6 weeks or more after giving birth. Preeclampsia after childbirth must be monitored and treated appropriately so that it does not cause serious health problems or even death. - Gestational hypertension
Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. This condition usually disappears after giving birth. However, gestational hypertension can also continue for weeks to months after delivery.
Treatment of Postpartum Hypertension
When a mother experiences postpartum hypertension, a doctor may recommend the following two treatment methods:
- Breast-feed.
All women who have just given birth, whether they suffer from postpartum hypertension or not, are encouraged to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is safe and is believed to help reduce high blood pressure. - Medicines
Apart from breastfeeding, doctors will also prescribe medications such as nifedipine, methyldopa, or enalapril to treat postpartum hypertension. These medicines are considered safe to consume during breastfeeding.
Postpartum hypertension can cause a number of medical problems, such as organ damage, blindness, heart disease, seizures, stroke, and even death if not treated properly and appropriately. Therefore, mothers are advised to immediately consult a doctor if they experience various symptoms of postpartum hypertension as described above. Likewise, if the mother experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, or vision problems, or even faints after giving birth, the doctor will immediately provide appropriate and fast help.
Always checking with a doctor or midwife during pregnancy is the best step for pregnant women, because that way the doctor or midwife will know more about the mother’s condition and can anticipate if there is any unwanted interference with the mother’s pregnancy.
