management

Last edited 08/2019

Assessment of women with pre-eclampsia should be performed by a healthcare professional trained in the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

The only cure for pre-eclampsia is to terminate the pregnancy and deliver the placenta despite possible risk to the foetus. Issues involved include:

• management principles - when to treat (and with what medication), when to admit to hospital, investigations and monitoring
• timing of the delivery
• control of established disease with antihypertensive and anticonvulsant therapy
• disease prevention - role of aspirin and diet (2)

All women who have had pre-eclampsia should be offered a medical review at the postnatal review (6-8 weeks after the birth)

Reference:

• NICE (June 2019). Hypertension in pregnancy - the management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy
• BMJ. 2006 Feb 25;332(7539):463-8.