Postpartum Preeclampsia Guide: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: September 2026
TL;DR: Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare condition that causes high blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or greater) and excess protein in the urine soon after childbirth. Most cases develop within 48 hours of delivery, but it can appear up to six weeks or more afterward. It is hard to detect on your own because many women have no signs during pregnancy, and its symptoms — severe headaches, vision changes, upper belly pain — can be mistaken for normal new-mother discomfort. Prompt treatment with blood pressure medication and magnesium sulfate prevents seizures and serious complications.
Quick answer
What it is: A rare condition with high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine that develops soon after childbirth.
When it starts: Most cases within 48 hours of childbirth; late-onset cases can develop up to six weeks or later.
Key symptoms: High blood pressure, excess protein in urine, severe headaches, vision changes, pain in the upper belly under the ribs on the right, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and decreased urination.
Who is at higher risk: People with high blood pressure during pregnancy, obesity, multiples (twins or more), chronic high blood pressure, or diabetes.
How it is treated: Blood pressure medication (antihypertensives) and magnesium sulfate for about 24 hours to prevent seizures; breastfeeding is generally considered safe with these medicines.
What this guide is based on: All facts in this article come from specialist-reviewed hospital clinical guidance from 2021, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Practice Bulletin No. 222 on gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (2020), Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment (60th ed., 2021), and peer-reviewed obstetrics research, each linked directly below. This content is for education only; consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of your own condition.
What is postpartum preeclampsia?
Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare condition that occurs when you have high blood pressure and excess protein in your urine soon after childbirth.
Preeclampsia is a similar condition that develops during pregnancy and typically resolves with the birth of the baby. Postpartum preeclampsia is the same condition, but it develops after the baby is born.
Most cases of postpartum preeclampsia develop within 48 hours of childbirth. But it sometimes develops up to six weeks or later after childbirth. This is known as late postpartum preeclampsia.
The condition requires prompt treatment. Left untreated, postpartum preeclampsia can cause seizures and other serious complications.
What are the symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia?
Postpartum preeclampsia can be difficult to detect on your own. Many women who experience it show no signs or symptoms during pregnancy. You also might not suspect that anything is wrong when you are focused on recovering after childbirth and caring for a newborn.
The signs and symptoms — typically the same as preeclampsia before delivery — might include the following.
Symptom | What it looks like |
|---|---|
High blood pressure (hypertension) | A reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater |
Excess protein in urine (proteinuria) | Detected on a urine test |
Severe headaches | Persistent, severe head pain |
Vision changes | Temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity |
Upper belly pain | Usually under the ribs on the right side |
Nausea and vomiting | Stomach upset without an obvious cause |
Shortness of breath | Difficulty breathing |
Decreased urination | Producing less urine than usual |
What causes postpartum preeclampsia?
The causes of postpartum preeclampsia — and of preeclampsia during pregnancy — are not well understood.
What increases the risk?
Limited research suggests that risk factors for postpartum preeclampsia might include the following.
Risk factor | How it raises risk |
|---|---|
High blood pressure during your most recent pregnancy | Increased risk if high blood pressure developed after 20 weeks of pregnancy (gestational hypertension) |
Obesity | Higher risk when obese |
Having multiples | Twins, triplets, or more increase the risk of preeclampsia |
Chronic high blood pressure | Uncontrolled high blood pressure before pregnancy increases the risk of both preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia |
Diabetes | Type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes increases the risk of both conditions |
What complications can it cause?
The complications of postpartum preeclampsia are serious, which is why prompt treatment matters.
Complication | What it is |
|---|---|
Postpartum eclampsia | Postpartum preeclampsia plus seizures; can permanently damage vital organs including the brain, eyes, liver, and kidneys |
Pulmonary edema | A life-threatening lung condition in which excess fluid develops in the lungs |
Stroke | The blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen; a medical emergency |
Thromboembolism | A blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot that travels from another part of the body; also a medical emergency |
HELLP syndrome | Hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count; can rapidly become life-threatening. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, headache, and upper right abdominal pain. It can develop suddenly, even before high blood pressure is detected, or without any symptoms at all |
When should you see a doctor?
If you have signs or symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia shortly after childbirth, contact your healthcare provider right away. Depending on the circumstances, you might need immediate medical care.
Contact your provider if you have questions or concerns about your health as you recover from childbirth.
How is postpartum preeclampsia diagnosed?
If you have already been discharged from the hospital after childbirth and your provider suspects postpartum preeclampsia, you might need to be readmitted to the hospital.
The condition is usually diagnosed with lab tests.
Blood tests. These tests can determine how well your liver and kidneys are functioning and whether your blood has a normal number of platelets — the cells that help blood clot.
Urinalysis. Your provider might test a urine sample for protein, or have you collect your urine for 24 hours so it can be tested for the total amount of protein.
How is postpartum preeclampsia treated?
Postpartum preeclampsia may be treated with medication.
Medication to lower high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is dangerously high, your provider might prescribe an antihypertensive medication to lower it.
Medication to prevent seizures. Magnesium sulfate can help prevent seizures in women with severe signs and symptoms. It is typically taken for 24 hours. After treatment, your provider will closely monitor your blood pressure, urination, and other symptoms.
Is it safe to breastfeed?
If you are breastfeeding, it is generally considered safe to breastfeed while taking these medications. Ask your provider if you have questions or are unsure.
Can it be prevented?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent postpartum preeclampsia. Your doctor may discuss the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia with you, recommend taking baby aspirin (81 milligrams) to prevent preeclampsia during your next pregnancy, and encourage an active lifestyle and a healthy diet.
What to do before your appointment
If you have recently given birth and have any signs or symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia, contact your provider right away.
To get ready for the appointment, make a list of your symptoms with detailed descriptions, including any that seem unrelated. Bring a loved one or friend who can help you remember what the provider says, since fear and anxiety can make it difficult to focus. Write down your questions beforehand.
Useful questions to ask include: How serious is my condition? What are the treatment options? What tests do I need? Can I continue to breastfeed and care for my newborn? What signs should prompt me to call or go to the hospital?
Expect your provider to ask about unusual symptoms such as blurred vision or headaches, when symptoms first appeared, your usual blood pressure, whether you had preeclampsia with previous pregnancies, other pregnancy complications, and any history of headaches or migraines.
Conclusion: What to do if you suspect postpartum preeclampsia
Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare but potentially serious condition in which high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine develop soon after childbirth. Most cases appear within 48 hours of delivery, but late-onset cases can emerge up to six weeks or more afterward. Because it is easy to miss — many women have no signs during pregnancy, and recovery symptoms can mask it — knowing the warning signs matters. The most important ones are high blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or greater, severe headaches, vision changes, and pain in the upper belly under the ribs on the right side.
If any of these signs appear after childbirth, contact your healthcare provider right away; you may need immediate care or hospital readmission for lab tests, blood pressure medication, and magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures. The good news is that with prompt treatment, and with breastfeeding generally considered safe alongside these medicines, most women recover well. This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of your own condition.
Frequently asked questions
What is postpartum preeclampsia?
It is a rare condition that causes high blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or greater) and excess protein in the urine soon after childbirth.
When does it usually develop?
Most cases develop within 48 hours of childbirth, but it can develop up to six weeks or later after childbirth, known as late postpartum preeclampsia.
Is it different from preeclampsia during pregnancy?
It is the same condition, but preeclampsia develops during pregnancy and typically resolves with the birth of the baby, while postpartum preeclampsia develops after childbirth.
What are the key symptoms to watch for?
High blood pressure, excess protein in urine, severe headaches, vision changes (blurred vision, light sensitivity, temporary vision loss), pain in the upper belly under the ribs on the right side, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and decreased urination.
What causes it?
The causes of postpartum preeclampsia are not well understood, the same as for preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Who is at higher risk?
People with high blood pressure during pregnancy, obesity, twins or more, chronic high blood pressure before pregnancy, or diabetes (type 1, type 2, or gestational).
Can it be dangerous if untreated?
Yes. Untreated, it can cause seizures and serious complications including postpartum eclampsia, pulmonary edema, stroke, thromboembolism, and HELLP syndrome.
Is it safe to breastfeed while being treated?
Generally yes — it is considered safe to breastfeed while taking blood pressure medication and magnesium sulfate, but ask your provider.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment decisions.
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