Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (Home Health Care) - CE/NCPD

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ALERT

Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement aids early detection of hypertensive disorders that may lead to eclamptic seizures or stroke (Box 1).

Treatment is indicated for systolic BP of 160 mm Hg or greater, diastolic BP of 110 mm Hg or greater, or both, confirmed as persistent (lasting 15 minutes or more).^{undefined#ref2">2,3}

OVERVIEW

Several types of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) exist (Table 1):^2,3,6

• Gestational hypertension is characterized by hypertension diagnosed after 20 weeks’ gestation in a patient with a previously normal BP. BP levels return to normal during the postpartum period.
• Chronic hypertension is hypertension that was present before the pregnancy and does not return to normal after the postpartum period.
• Preeclampsia is new-onset hypertension diagnosed after 20 weeks’ gestation in a patient who was previously normotensive and who may have new-onset proteinuria.
• Eclampsia is characterized by new-onset tonic-clonic, focal, or multifocal seizures that cannot be attributed to other causes, such as epilepsy, cerebral ischemia and infarction, intracranial hemorrhage, or drug use.
• Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia is a diagnosis of preeclampsia in a patient who has a history of hypertension before pregnancy or before 20 weeks’ gestation.

HDP is categorized according to BP, proteinuria, the onset of symptoms related to gestation, and system involvement (Table 1).^2,3 Blood pressure trends vary during pregnancy based on blood volume and systemic vascular resistance (Figure 1). Establishing a patient baseline and conducting regular assessments of vital signs, symptoms, and laboratory results is essential to identifying HDP.³

Chronic hypertension has lower upper limit targets for blood pressure levels (less than 140/90 mm Hg) due to improved pregnancy outcomes.¹² Treatment may be initiated at lower levels in these patients.¹²

Gestational hypertension occurs when patients have abnormal BP values after 20 weeks’ gestation.^2,3 It is considered severe when the systolic BP reaches or exceeds 160 mm Hg or the diastolic BP reaches or exceeds 110 mm Hg.^2,3 Proteinuria and other symptoms of preeclampsia are absent in gestational hypertension; however, it is common for gestational hypertension to progress to preeclampsia.³

Preeclampsia affects 2% to 8% of patients who are pregnant and is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide.³ Risk factors for developing preeclampsia include (Box 2):³

• Nulliparity
• Preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
• Multifetal gestations
• Gestational diabetes
• Preexisting medical conditions

Relying on patient symptoms can be problematic when diagnosing preeclampsia because symptoms can be nonspecific in nature and are not clearly indicative of HDP. Generalized pitting edema (Figure 2), once a diagnostic criterion for preeclampsia, is considered a nonspecific sign.³ Pitting edema may be absent in some patients who develop preeclampsia and may be severe in other pregnant patients who do not have preeclampsia.⁹ Headaches are unreliable and nonspecific as a diagnosis criterion.³

When hypertension progresses to preeclampsia, patients are at risk for seizures.³ Patients who are pregnant with chronic hypertension or preeclampsia have an increased risk of stroke or cerebral complications during pregnancy, even without excessive elevations in BP.² Preeclampsia can result in short- and long-term complications for patients who are pregnant or postpartum. Complications of preeclampsia include:³

• Coagulopathy
• Retinal injury
• Renal failure
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Stroke
• Myocardial infarction
• Pulmonary edema

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a severe form of preeclampsia. HELLP syndrome has been associated with higher rates of patient morbidity and mortality and is mostly seen during the third trimester but can also present for the first time or progress during the postpartum period (Table 1).^2,3 The main presenting symptoms in HELLP syndrome include right upper quadrant pain, generalized malaise, nausea, and vomiting.³

Medication Treatment for Hypertension

Treatment is indicated for systolic BP of 160 mm Hg or greater, diastolic BP of 110 mm Hg or greater, or both, confirmed as persistent (lasting 15 minutes or more).^2,3 In the home care setting, it is important to consider escalation of care and practitioner consultation in a timely manner to reduce time to treatment.

Therapeutic objectives of hypertensive treatment are to decrease the risk of congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia, renal injury or failure, and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.^2,3 Ongoing home medication treatment during pregnancy may include labetalol, nifedipine, hydralazine, or methyldopa.^2,3 Methyldopa is not used as frequently due to side effects and lesser effectiveness when compared with labetalol, nifedipine, or hydralazine.² Methlydopa is also not utilized in postpartum patients due to an increased risk of postpartum depression.^2,13

Seizure Prevention and Treatment

Seizures related to hypertension that develop during pregnancy are called eclamptic seizures. Eclampsia is frequently preceded by signs of cerebral irritation, such as severe, persistent occipital and frontal headaches; blurred vision; photophobia; and altered mental status, but it can also occur without any warning signs or symptoms at all.³ Most eclamptic seizures are self-limited, but can cause patient hypoxia and prolonged fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities. Eclamptic seizures that occur postpartum usually occur within the first 7 days, and 50% of eclamptic seizures occur in labor or within the first 48 hours postpartum.⁹

Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for preventing seizures in patients with preeclampsia with severe features and potential hypertensive crisis during the pregnancy and postpartum periods.³ Its mechanism of action for seizure prevention is unclear, but it may work as a central anticonvulsant, may prevent or decrease cerebral edema, or may cause vasodilation in the cerebral and peripheral circulation.⁶ Although magnesium is used for seizure prevention, it is not given to stop a seizure, but to prevent the recurrence.³

Timing of Delivery

To prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, delivery of the fetus is recommended when gestational hypertension or preeclampsia with severe features is diagnosed at 34 0/7 weeks’ gestation or beyond, after the patient is stabilized, or with labor or pre-labor rupture of membranes.³ When the late preterm period has been reached, delay of delivery to administer steroids is not recommended.³ For patients with preeclampsia without severe features or with gestational hypertension, expectant management up to 37 weeks’ gestation is recommended, along with frequent maternal and fetal evaluation.³

Postpartum

Preeclampsia can also occur up to six weeks postpartum, and elevated blood pressure may be identified even 1 year following childbirth.^7,10 Patients with HDP during pregnancy may remain hypertensive after discharge and have a risk of developing severe hypertension (Figure 1).^1,4,8 Patients should be educated about the warning signs of hypertension and the importance of attending follow-up visits throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods.^1,4 The potential consequences of disregarding these warning signs should be emphasized, as they are often overlooked during the postpartum period.⁷ Patients should be encouraged to inform their practitioners or seek immediate medical care if they are exhibiting signs or symptoms after discharge.

SUPPLIES

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EDUCATION

• Give developmentally and culturally appropriate education based on the desire for knowledge, readiness to learn, preferred learning style, and overall neurologic and psychosocial state.
• Explain the appropriate disease processes applicable to the patient’s condition.
  • Preeclampsia
  • Gestational hypertension
  • Chronic hypertension
  • Eclampsia
  • HELLP syndrome
• Instruct the patient and support person regarding activity limitations and frequent rest periods.⁹
  • Reduce daily physical activity.⁹
  • Take frequent rest periods with legs elevated or resting in bed.⁹
  • Lie in a lateral position to decrease pressure on the vena cava and improve perfusion to the vital organs and placenta.⁹
  • Avoid lying on the back or if lying on the back, place a pillow or wedge under one hip to displace the weight of the uterus from the descending vena cava and prevent supine hypotension.¹¹
• Explain to the patient and support person that safety concerns apply in the home as well as in an acute care facility, and taking safety precautions at home may help lower the risk of injury and anxiety levels.
• Teach the patient and support person about fetal movement counts and contraction assessment, if appropriate.
• Suggest methods to reduce central nervous system (CNS) irritability, using:
  • Environmental control (e.g., quiet, low lighting, reduced stimulation)
  • Bedrest in the side-lying position
• Instruct the patient and support person on the steps to take during a seizure.
  • Guide the patient to the floor (if standing or sitting) and place a pad under the head for protection.
  • Clear surrounding objects out of the way.
  • If able, turn the patient to the side with the head tilted slightly forward.
  • Do not restrain the patient or attempt to insert anything into the mouth during a seizure.
  • Call for emergency assistance.
• Teach the patient and support person about additional medications as indicated.
• Teach the patient about postpartum risk for HDP.
• Teach the patient and support person about the signs and symptoms of worsening illness (e.g., headache, mental confusion or drowsiness, visual disturbances) and give instructions on when to seek urgent or additional care.
• Teach the patient about the importance of follow-up visits and seeking immediate medical care for symptoms.

PROCEDURE

1. Determine if the patient or support person has health literacy needs or requires tools or assistance to effectively communicate. Be sure these needs can be met without compromising safety.
2. Review the patient’s and support person’s previous experience and knowledge of HDP and understanding of the care to be provided.
3. Obtain the patient’s vital signs (including BP [Box 1], pulse, respirations, peripheral oxygen saturation [SpO₂]), check deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), and assess for clonus (Figure 3).

   If BP is greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg, repeat the BP measurement within 15 minutes.⁷

4. Ask the patient about pregnancy status:¹⁰
   1. Last menstrual period
   2. Any pregnancy within the past year
   3. Estimated date of delivery
   4. Date of previous delivery
5. Assess the patient for signs and symptoms of worsening illness or CNS irritability (Box 3).

   There are no signs and symptoms that predict imminent seizure activity;³ however, be aware of subtle changes in the patient’s vital signs and general condition and be prepared to intervene if seizures occur.⁹

6. Auscultate breath sounds and assess the patient for signs of fluid volume excess.
   1. Increased edema
   2. Decreased urine output
   3. Weight gain
   4. Shortness of breath
   5. Lung sounds related to pulmonary edema

      Rationale: Decreased urinary output is caused by poor renal perfusion and may precede acute renal failure.⁹

7. Assess the patient for signs of impaired gas exchange, such as increased respiration and shortness of breath.
8. Assess for any report of contractions, vaginal drainage or bleeding, or abdominal pain or tenderness if the patient is antepartum.

   Rationale: Abdominal tenderness could indicate placental abruption in a patient with preeclampsia.⁹

9. Assess FHR if the patient is antepartum.

   Rationale: FHR is assessed for evidence of adequate uteroplacental oxygenation. Fetal compromise may be identified during auscultation if abnormal heart tones are noted.⁵

10. Assess the fundus and lochia if the patient is postpartum.
11. Review the patient’s current laboratory results.
12. Notify the practitioner of any abnormal findings.
    1. If the patient’s BP is greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg systolic or 110 mm Hg diastolic, signs of worsening illness are noted, or both are present, notify the practitioner, confirm that the blood pressure elevation is sustained, and prepare the patient for transfer to an acute care facility.

       Remain with the patient until stable or transfer.

    2. If abnormal FHR is noted, notify the practitioner and prepare the patient for transfer to an acute care facility for evaluation.

       Remain with the patient until stable or transfer.

    3. Notify the practitioner of abnormal lab values.
13. Provide support and education to the patient and support person and opportunities for them to ask questions or state concerns.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• BP within acceptable parameters
• Absence of signs and symptoms of fluid volume excess
• Absence of seizures
• No adverse patient outcomes related to hypertension or seizure activity
• No adverse fetal outcomes related to hypertension or seizure activity

UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES

• BP not within acceptable parameters
• Worsening signs and symptoms of fluid volume excess
• Seizure activity
• Adverse patient outcomes related to hypertension or seizure activity
• Adverse fetal outcomes related to hypertension or seizure activity

DOCUMENTATION

• Physical assessment
• Patient history
• Estimated date of delivery
• Delivery date
• Patient’s report of contractions and associated pain level
• Contraction frequency, duration, intensity, and resting tone
• FHR
• Seizure safety precautions
• Any seizure activity and interventions and patient’s responses
• Unexpected outcomes and related interventions
• Report of patient status to practitioner and practitioner’s response
• Education

REFERENCES

1. Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). (2024). Severe hypertension in pregnancy: Patient safety bundle: Core data collection plan (Version 2.0). Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://saferbirth.org/wp-content/uploads/Severe-Hypertension-in-Pregnancy-Patient-Safety-Bundle_updated.pdf
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines–Obstetrics. (2019, reaffirmed 2024). Practice bulletin no. 203: Chronic hypertension in pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 133(1), e26-e50. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003020
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines–Obstetrics. (2020, reaffirmed 2023). Practice bulletin no. 222: Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (Interim update) (Practice advisory). Obstetrics & Gynecology, 135(6), e237-e260. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003891
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Hypertension in pregnancy: Change package. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/files/Hypertension-in-Pregnancy-508.pdf
5. Cypher, R.L., Kujansuu, C.M. (2023). Chapter 9: Prenatal diagnosis and fetal assessment during the antepartum period. In S.S. Murray and others (Eds.), Foundations of maternal-newborn and women’s health nursing (8th ed., pp. 175-206). St. Louis: Elsevier.
6. Dix, D. (2024). Chapter 27: Hypertensive disorders. In D.L. Lowdermilk and others (Eds.), Maternity & women’s health care (13th ed., pp. 585-599). St. Louis: Elsevier.
7. Druzin, M. and others. (2021, updated 2024). Improving health care response to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy toolkit. A California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) quality improvement toolkit. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.cmqcc.org/resources-tool-kits/toolkits/HDP
8. Hauspurg, A. and others. (2024). Postpartum ambulatory blood pressure patterns following new-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. JAMA Cardiology, 9(8), 703-711. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2024.1389
9. Ketcham, N. and others. (2023). Chapter 10: Complications of pregnancy. In S.S. Murray and others (Eds.), Foundations of maternal-newborn and women’s health nursing (8th ed., pp. 207-268). St. Louis: Elsevier.
10. Mather, C., Bingham, D. (2022). Severe hypertension in pregnancy: Change package. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://saferbirth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023_HTN_Change-Package.pdf
11. Piacenza, D. (2023). Chapter 6: Adaptations to pregnancy. In S.S. Murray and others (Eds.), Foundations of maternal-newborn and women’s health nursing (8th ed., pp. 95-121). St. Louis: Elsevier.
12. Tita, A.T. and others. (2022). Treatment for mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy. New England Journal of Medicine, 386(19), 1781-1792. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2201295
13. Unger, T. and others. (2020). 2020 International Society of Hypertension global hypertension practice guidelines. Hypertension, 75(6), 1334-1357. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.15026

ADDITIONAL READINGS

Countouris, M. and others. (2025). Hypertension in pregnancy and postpartum: Current standards and opportunities to improve care. Circulation, 151(7), 490-507. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.073302

Daubert, M.A. and others. (2024). Early postpartum blood pressure screening is associated with increased detection of cardiovascular risk factors in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. American Heart Journal, 273, 130-139. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2024.03.014

Garovic, V.D. and others. (2022). Hypertension in pregnancy: Diagnosis, blood pressure goals, and pharmacotherapy: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension, 79(2), e21-e41. doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000208 (Errata published 2022, Hypertension, 79[3], e70. doi.org/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000212)

Richter, A. Witcher, P.M., Belfort M.A. (2026). Chapter 9: Hypertension in pregnancy. In N.H. Troiano, S. McMurtry Baird, R.L. Cypher (Eds.), High-risk & critical care obstetrics (5th ed., pp. 103-125.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and others. (2022). Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine special statement: Quality metric for timely postpartum follow-up after severe hypertension. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 227(3), B2-B8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2022.05.045

Clinical Review: Aimee Hardt, MN, APRN-CNS, ACCNS-N

Published: July 2025