Propranolol and hydrallazine in the management of essential hypertension in pregnancy.

A combination of propranolol and hydrallazine was administered to 13 patients with longstanding hypertension during 15 pregnancies. Hydrallazine was continued through labour and delivery in all patients, while in eight patients propranolol was discontinued 2 to 15 days before delivery. Blood pressure control was uniformly good and superimposed pre-eclampsia did not occur during combined therapy. There were 14 livebirths and one unexplained stillbirth. Except for two cases of milk hypoglycemia, there were no neonatal complications.