The treatment of hypertension in pregnancy

Hypertensive disease in pregnancy remains a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Control of maternal hypertension with antihypertensive therapy improves maternal and foetal outcome. If the blood pressure is elevated in early pregnancy, complications are more likely to occur to both mother and foetus, and the outcome may not be favourable. In labour the threat of severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia is a constant hazard.