Mindi writes;
>>Has anyone ever heard of hypertension setting in - apparently/hopefully
temporarily - post partum? <<

Hi Mindi,
 I am a visiting nurse providing visits to newly pp Moms, usually 3-6 days
postpartum and I have noticed a large number of Moms developing hypertension
during this time frame. Sometimes they aren't even hypertensive while in the
hospital and it isn't noted until my visit. One Mom in particular was
rehospitalized on day 5 with sky high pressures and no history. She tells me
that they never discovered the etiology. This is the only one requiring
hospitalization BUT is only one of the several that I have seen since
starting back to VNA work. Yesterday I saw a Mom throught my private practice
(LC) with the same scenario and interestingly I decided to check her
pressures (not the usual for a lactation consult!) pre and post br.feeding
and they were 162/100 and 150/100 respectively and that seems to be the
typical response to the oxytocin release (i guess?), about a 10 point
difference in the systolic pressure. I often will use this when advocating
br. feeding to the hypertensive, bo feeding, postpartum Moms!
As an aside, I worked 12-15 yrs ago providing pp home visits during the same
time frame to Moms that delivered at a free standing birth center and don't
remember seeing much if any hypertension of this type.
Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts

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