Hypertension in Pregnancy – Guidelines, Resources, and Quality Improvement Tools
Hypertension in pregnancy, including chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia, is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and is associated with earlier onset of sustained chronic hypertension and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality. Because postpartum exacerbation of severe hypertension is common, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that patients with severe hypertension during childbirth hospitalization be seen within 72 hours after discharge.
The Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package (HPCP) was developed in partnership with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG), American Medical Association (AMA), National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).
On this page, you’ll find the Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package, upcoming Action Forum opportunities, and curated resources from SMFM and our partners to help improve patient outcomes and reduce maternal morbidity.
Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package
The HPCP is a practical, evidence-based quality improvement guide designed to help hospitals, clinics, and healthcare teams improve care processes for patients with hypertension during pregnancy and postpartum.
The HPCP is composed of change concepts, change ideas, and evidence- or practice-based tools and resources.
Change concepts are general notions that are useful in the development of more specific ideas for changes that lead to improvement.
Change ideas are specific, actionable ideas for changing a process. Change ideas can be rapidly tested on a small scale to determine whether they result in improvements in the local environment.
Evidence- or practice-informed tools and resources listed with each change idea can be adapted or adopted in a clinical setting to improve identification and management of hypertension in pregnancy.
This resource includes best practices, data collection tools, and implementation strategies to support better blood pressure management and early intervention.
Download the Change Package (PDF)
Action Forums & Quality Improvement Initiatives
SMFM hosts regular Million Hearts® Hypertension in Pregnancy Action Forum to bring together healthcare providers, quality improvement teams, and public health partners to share progress, discuss challenges, and implement evidence-based solutions.
These forums are part of a nationwide effort to reduce severe maternal morbidity and mortality caused by hypertensive disorders.
Upcoming Forum: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
For more information or any questions, please send an email to hypertension@smfm.org.