Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are common, affecting 10 % of all pregnancies, and can develop or persist into the postpartum period [1]. The exact incidence of postpartum hypertension is truly unknown, however the reported prevalence of de novo postpartum hypertension or preeclampsia ranges from 0.3 to 27.5 % [2], [3]. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are also associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality, with a majority of maternal deaths occurring in the postpartum period [4], [5].

Hypertension is a leading cause of postpartum readmissions and need for anti-hypertensive medication titration may lead to even further prolonged inpatient hospitalizations [6]. In addition to the health burden created by hypertension, the postpartum period is already a time of high stress for patients [7]. Therefore, adequate antenatal counseling and identification of patients at highest risk for development of postpartum hypertension is critical in improving detection and outcomes. While risk factors for postpartum readmission for hypertension have been studied [8], there are no studies describing postpartum anti-hypertensive medication prescription or risk factors for patients requiring multiple medications.

Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify clinical characteristics of patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy associated with requiring multiple anti-hypertensive medications to optimize blood pressure in the postpartum setting.