Inclusion criteria  Patients admitted to labor and delivery (L&D) with blood pressure (BP) in severe range, defined as a systolic ≥160 mm Hg and/or diastolic ≥110 mm Hg Postpartum, immediately to 6 weeks postpartum With a prior diagnosis of chronic hypertension (not on medication) or hypertensive disorder of pregnancy  Exclusion criteria  They may not have previously had exposure to either study medication within the previous 24-hour period. Patients with a known atrial-ventricular heart block or moderate to severe bronchial asthma will be excluded, or other contraindication to receiving either study medication