Response to Anti-hypertensives in Pregnant and Postpartum Patients

Hypertensive disease in pregnancy is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. This condition is responsible for about 12% of the maternal deaths in the United States.

Currently, if pregnant patients present with severe hypertension they are either given IV labetalol, IV hydralazine of nifedipine based on individual provider preference. There are few studies in the literature comparing oral nifedipine and IV labetalol with mixed data showing either they are equally effective or a faster time to achieving target blood pressure for patients who received nifedipine.

In this study, the investigators will evaluate if there is a difference in time to achieve goal blood pressure in pregnant and postpartum patients who are treated with nifedipine and labetalol for severe range blood pressures defined as greater than 160/110. These anti-hypertensives are first line therapy for management of severe range blood pressures in pregnancy and postpartum by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG).

Inclusion criteria

• pregnant patients from 20 weeks to up to 6 weeks postpartum
• between the ages of 18-55.
• persistent severe range blood pressures (2 readings or more within 15 minutes) of either 160mmHg systolic or 110mmHg diastolic.

Exclusion criteria

• multiple gestation
• patients with non-reassuring fetal heart rate (category 3)
• patients with abruptio placenta
• patients with renal impairment
• history of heart failure
• history of cardiac arrhythmia
• use of anti-hypertensive medications in the past 24 hours
• patients with allergies or medical contraindications to labetalol or nifedipine.