Takeaway
- Ibuprofen, an NSAID, did not increase postpartum BP in women with mild hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
Why this matters
- NSAIDs have been found to raise BP in adults with chronic hypertension.
- Some have recommended avoiding NSAIDs in the postpartum period in women with hypertensive disorders despite them being good pain relievers and reducing the need for opioids.
Key results
- There was no difference in average postpartum mean arterial BP between the ibuprofen and the control groups.
Study design
- Double-blind, randomised controlled trial between 2017 and 2018.
- The cohort was taken from the Hypertension in Postpartum Preeclampsia Study.
- The participants had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy without severe features.
- Women were randomly assigned to receive ibuprofen (n=31) vs controls (n=30).
- The primary outcome was the average of each participant's mean BP measurements during the postpartum hospital stay.
- Funding: The MemorialCare Medical Center Foundation.
Limitations
- Small numbers in the study.
- Women with severe hypertension were excluded.
References
References