09/23/2026
Postpartum preeclampsia can happen after the baby is born — even if pregnancy seemed completely normal.
It most often develops in the first days after delivery, but it can appear up to 6 weeks postpartum.
Warning signs worth knowing — and sharing with families:
• a headache that won’t go away
• blurry vision, flashing lights, or seeing spots
• pain in the upper abdomen
• nausea or vomiting
• swelling of the face or hands
• sudden weight gain
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
One reported case is an important reminder of how easily symptoms can be mistaken for something else: a woman believed her breathing problems were asthma and kept using her inhaler. She eventually became unable to lie flat comfortably and struggled to catch her breath. The cause was postpartum preeclampsia with fluid affecting her lungs.
For doulas, the role is not to diagnose — it is to recognize when something may need medical attention and encourage timely care.
Encourage clients to follow their blood-pressure monitoring plan, keep postpartum appointments, and contact their healthcare provider if concerning symptoms appear. People with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy may need earlier postpartum blood-pressure follow-up, depending on their medical team’s recommendations.
And if symptoms are severe — especially difficulty breathing, severe headache, major vision changes, chest pain, seizure, or very high blood pressure — seek emergency medical care immediately.
Postpartum care also continues beyond the first few days. Follow-up in the weeks after birth is important because a history of preeclampsia or pregnancy-related hypertension can also be relevant to future cardiovascular health.
Birth is not the end of maternal monitoring.
Know the signs. Listen to the symptoms. Escalate when something doesn’t feel right.
Educational content only. This does not replace medical evaluation or individualized advice from a healthcare professional.
