Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — April 2026.
Preeclampsia is one of the most common pregnancy complications. Did you know that there is still a risk after childbirth?
Let’s go over what to know about postpartum preeclampsia. Please be sure to talk about your risk and how to stay safe with your healthcare team.
Postpartum preeclampsia is high blood pressure that starts after childbirth. It may come on suddenly. It usually begins in the first 2 days after birth, but it may happen any time in the first 6 weeks after birth.
Most people with postpartum preeclampsia recover without any issues. But without proper treatment, it may cause serious problems. This can include organ damage (including the kidneys, liver, lungs, or brain) and seizures. In severe cases, it may be life-threatening.
In this video, Dr. Thomas Kishkovich, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Columbia University Medical Center, talks about why preeclampsia may happen after delivery and what to look out for.
Postpartum preeclampsia can happen to anyone, although some people have a higher risk. Risk factors are similar to preeclampsia during pregnancy and include:
You may not feel any symptoms with postpartum preeclampsia. Often, you can’t feel high blood pressure.
This is why your appointments after pregnancy are key. It’s a chance for your healthcare provider to check your blood pressure and urine to make sure you are doing well.
Sometimes, postpartum preeclampsia does have warning signs. If you have any of these, get medical help right away. It’s always OK to call if anything just feels “off.”
Preeclampsia is diagnosed if blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. It’s high if either the top (systolic blood pressure) or the bottom (diastolic blood pressure) number is high.
Your provider may also check for protein in the urine, a sign that the kidneys have been affected by high blood pressure. Blood work may show other signs of preeclampsia.
High blood pressure from postpartum preeclampsia may be lowered with medicine (that is safe for chestfeeding or pumping).
Sometimes, more serious preeclampsia may need to be managed in the hospital and require additional medication. For example, magnesium, an intravenous (IV) medication, may be given to help prevent seizures. Your team will carefully monitor you.
Be sure to go to all your postpartum appointments. By working closely with your healthcare team, you’re taking big steps to keep yourself healthy.
Your doctor may recommend that you:
You can take steps to help lower your risk and know the warning signs, and your healthcare team is here to support you. Your Progyny Care Advocate is also available to answer questions and help you get ready for your upcoming visits.
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Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.