What are the recommended treatment options for chronic hypertension in pregnancy?
The committee agreed that labetalol should be preferred as the first-line treatment option, with nifedipine as the next alternative, and methyldopa as the third option. Labetalol is specifically licensed for use in pregnancy and may be the most effective option of the three. For additional benefit, the committee also recommended a dose of 75-150 mg of aspirin daily, as it may reduce preterm births and neonatal admissions. The committee also noted the link between chronic hypertension and both pre-existing and gestational diabetes, therefore they made an overarching recommendation to cross-refer to the existing NICE guideline on diabetes in pregnancy.