HEALTH TEACHING:

TOPIC: POSTPARTUM PREECLAMPSIA

RATIONALE: Postpartum preeclampsia may occur up to 10 to 14 days after birth, it
usually occurs within 48 hours after birth. Therefore, monitoring blood pressure in the
postpartum period and at healthcare visits and being alert for preeclampsia, which
can occur as late as 2 weeks postbirth, are essential to detect this residual
hypertension. (Pilliteri 8th edition)

OBJECTIVES:
GENERAL:
The patient should be provided with information regarding the postpartum
preeclampsia.
Specific:

 Patient should be able to:

a. Identify the definition of postpartum preeclampsia
b. Enumerate the symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia
c. Explain the risk factors of postpartum preeclampsia
d. How to prevent postpartum preeclampsia

Method of teaching:
 Lecture and Discussion

Audience Target:
 Patient

Content:

1. What is postpartum preeclampsia?

Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare condition that occurs when you have high blood
pressure and excess protein in your urine soon after childbirth. Preeclampsia is a similar
condition that develops during pregnancy and typically resolves with the birth of the
baby.

Most cases of postpartum preeclampsia develop within 48 hours of childbirth. However,

postpartum preeclampsia sometimes develops up to six weeks or later after childbirth.
This is known as late postpartum preeclampsia.
Postpartum preeclampsia requires prompt treatment. Left untreated, postpartum
preeclampsia can cause seizures and other serious complications.

2. What are the symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia ?

Postpartum preeclampsia can be difficult to detect on your own. Many women who
experience postpartum preeclampsia show no signs or symptoms during pregnancy.
Also, you might not suspect that anything is wrong when you're focused on recovering
after childbirth and caring for a newborn.

The symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia are similar to those that develop during

pregnancy, and may include:

 High blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg)

 Too much protein in your urine (proteinuria)
 Headaches (including severe headaches)
 Vision changes, including blurry vision, light sensitivity and a temporary loss of sight
 Abdominal pain (particularly under the ribs of the upper, right-hand side of the
stomach)
 Nausea or vomiting
 Shortness of breath
 Swelling

3. What are the risk factors of postpartum preeclampsia?

Limited research suggests that risk factors for postpartum preeclampsia might include:

 High blood pressure during your most recent pregnancy. You're at increased

risk of postpartum preeclampsia if you developed high blood pressure after 20
weeks of pregnancy (gestational hypertension).
 Obesity. The risk of postpartum preeclampsia is higher if you're obese.
 Having multiples. Having twins, triplets or more increases your risk of
preeclampsia.
 Chronic high blood pressure. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure before
pregnancy increases your risk of preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia.
 Diabetes. Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes increases your risk of preeclampsia
and postpartum preeclampsia.
  Age. Being 35 years old or older

4. How to prevent postpartum preeclampsia?

It’s unclear whether postpartum preeclampsia can be prevented, but your doctor may
recommend the following lifestyle changes:

 Follow a healthy diet. Moms in their second trimester usually need to up their

calorie intake by 300 to 350 calories a day, and then by 500 calories a day in their
third trimester. Likewise, if you’re breastfeeding, you may need to eat about 500
more calories per day than you did before you got pregnant. Try to include plenty of
leafy green vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein in your diet.

 Stay active. If your pregnancy is normal, you should try to exercise for at least 150
minutes a week (or 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a day) and do
a minimum of two weekly sessions of strength training.

 Consider taking baby aspirin during your next pregnancy. If you get pregnant
again, your doctor may want you to take baby aspirin to prevent preeclampsia from
occurring again.

Evaluation:

The patient and the family became knowledgeable about postpartum

preeclampsia and learned how to prevent it from reoccurring. The stated that they
understand the importance of the health teaching