PEARLS
Preeclampsia Research Laboratories
Delivery
Blood pressure elevated during delivery needs to be taken as seriously as in the antenatal period and after delivery. Normal labour does not significantly increase blood pressure.
The reasons for delivery of a baby in preeclampsia relate to the well being of the mother and the baby. If the blood pressure is difficult to control with oral medications or even intravenous medications then delivery to prevent problems from the high blood pressure alone can be required. If the mother is becoming progressively unwell with headache, vomiting or liver pain, then delivery may be recommended. If the blood tests show a deterioration in the platelet count (blood components required to stop bleeding in the delivery), or in the liver or kidney tests, then delivery might be recommended. If the baby is small and or not growing then that is a sign that the placenta is not working properly and that the baby may require early delivery.
The method of delivery depends on the wishes of the mother and her family and carers. The timing of the delivery is also important. If delivery is required earlier than 34 weeks then it is possible that a caesarean section will be recommended. Later in pregnancy a vaginal delivery is the optimal form of delivery depending on the ability of the team to control the blood pressure and also on how well the baby is coping with the delivery process.
Copyright Professor Annemarie Hennessy: email for permission to reproduce material on this site
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