Post-partum headache

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Hi my baby was born 10 days ago at 36 weeks. At a routine doctors visit my blood pressure was elevated and I had blurry vision. I was released from the hospital after 4 days. The night I came home from the hospital I had the worst headache of my life. I went to the hospital and my blood pressure was 180/110. I t continues to be elevated. I am on lopressor 50 mg twice a day. My head hurts all day long. When will this end? I am 37 years old and have always had low/normal blood pressure. Please help with any information you have. Thanks Lucy B.

[expert on call]

It is relatively common for BP to get worse for a while postpartum. The lopressor will certainly help. Sometimes doctors will prescribe a diuretic to help get rid of excess fluid in order to lower BP. As the excess fluid of pregnancy resolves, your BP should get better. Sometimes a women will need to be on medications for some time after severe preeclampsia. Most women feel better within a week, some within six weeks, others a full year. If after a year you have not recovered--you may wish to be evaluated for hypertension.

If your headaches continue to be severe, you might see your doctor again.

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