What is the first-line treatment for hypertension in pregnant women?

Labetalol is recognized as one of the first-line treatments for hypertension in pregnant women, particularly due to its safety profile and effectiveness in managing elevated blood pressure during pregnancy. It is a combined alpha and beta-adrenergic blocker, which helps to lower blood pressure without adversely affecting blood flow to the placenta.

While methyldopa is also a commonly used medication for hypertension in pregnancy and is considered safe, labetalol is often preferred due to its rapid onset of action and ability to effectively control blood pressure in various situations, including both chronic hypertension and hypertensive emergencies during pregnancy.

Hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, and furosemide, a loop diuretic, are generally not recommended as first-line treatments in pregnancy for managing hypertension due to potential adverse effects on fetal growth and amniotic fluid levels, which can complicate the pregnancy further. Therefore, labetalol stands out as a more suitable choice in this context.