Postpartum preeclampsia can be difficult to detect on your own. Many women who experience postpartum preeclampsia show no signs or symptoms during pregnancy. Also, you might not suspect that anything is wrong when you're focused on recovering after childbirth and caring for a newborn.

Signs and symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia — which are typically the same as symptoms of preeclampsia — might include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) — 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater
• Excess protein in your urine (proteinuria)
• Severe headaches
• Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side
• Decreased urination

If you have signs or symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia shortly after childbirth, contact your health care provider right away. Depending on the circumstances, you might need immediate medical care.

The causes of postpartum preeclampsia and preeclampsia that occurs during pregnancy aren't well-understood.

Limited research suggests that risk factors for postpartum preeclampsia might include:

• High blood pressure during your most recent pregnancy. You're at increased risk of postpartum preeclampsia if you developed high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy (gestational hypertension).
• Obesity. The risk of postpartum preeclampsia is higher if you're obese.
• Having multiples. Having twins, triplets or more increases your risk of preeclampsia.
• Chronic high blood pressure. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure before pregnancy increases your risk of preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia.
• Diabetes. Having type 1 or type 2 diabetes increases your risk of preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia.

Complications of postpartum preeclampsia include:

• Postpartum eclampsia. Postpartum eclampsia is essentially postpartum preeclampsia plus seizures. Postpartum eclampsia can permanently damage vital organs, including your brain, eyes, liver and kidneys.
• Pulmonary edema. This life-threatening lung condition occurs when excess fluid develops in the lungs.
• Stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and food. A stroke is a medical emergency.
• Thromboembolism. Thromboembolism is the blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot that travels from another part of the body. This condition is also a medical emergency.
• HELLP syndrome. HELLP syndrome — which stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count — can be life-threatening. Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells.