Guidance
Key priorities for implementation
Key priorities for implementation
Reducing the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
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Advise women at high risk of pre-eclampsia to take 75 mg of aspirin* daily from 12 weeks until the birth of the baby. Women at high risk are those with any of the following:
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hypertensive disease during a previous pregnancy
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chronic kidney disease
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autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosis or antiphospholipid syndrome
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type 1 or type 2 diabetes
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chronic hypertension. [1.1.2.1]
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Management of pregnancy with chronic hypertension
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Tell women who take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs):
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that there is an increased risk of congenital abnormalities if these drugs are taken during pregnancy
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to discuss other antihypertensive treatment with the healthcare professional responsible for managing their hypertension, if they are planning pregnancy. [1.2.1.1]
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In pregnant women with uncomplicated chronic hypertension aim to keep blood pressure lower than 150/100 mmHg. [1.2.3.1]
Assessment of proteinuria in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
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Use an automated reagent-strip reading device or a spot urinary protein:creatinine ratio for estimating proteinuria in a secondary care setting. [1.3.1.1]
Management of pregnancy with gestational hypertension
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Offer women with gestational hypertension an integrated package of care covering admission to hospital, treatment, measurement of blood pressure, testing for proteinuria and blood tests as indicated in Table 1. [1.4.1.3]
Management of pregnancy with pre-eclampsia
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Offer women with pre-eclampsia an integrated package of care covering admission to hospital, treatment, measurement of blood pressure, testing for proteinuria and blood tests as indicated in Table 2. [1.5.1.2]
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Consultant obstetric staff should document in the woman's notes the maternal (biochemical, haematological and clinical) and fetal thresholds for elective birth before 34 weeks in women with pre-eclampsia. [1.5.2.2]
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Offer all women who have had pre-eclampsia a medical review at the postnatal review (6–8 weeks after the birth). [1.5.3.10]
Advice and follow-up care at transfer to community care
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Tell women who had pre-eclampsia that their risk of developing:
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gestational hypertension in a future pregnancy ranges from about 1 in 8 (13%) pregnancies to about 1 in 2 (53%) pregnancies
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pre-eclampsia in a future pregnancy is up to about 1 in 6 (16%) pregnancies
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pre-eclampsia in a future pregnancy is about 1 in 4 (25%) pregnancies if their pre-eclampsia was complicated by severe pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome or eclampsia and led to birth before 34 weeks, and about 1 in 2 (55%) pregnancies if it led to birth before 28 weeks. [1.10.4.2]
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