Pre-Eclampsia moms - Second time around...

[hrp22]

Any moms get pre-e with one pregnancy but not the next?  I'm just wondering if there was anything you did to avoid it.  My DH and I have been talking about maybe having a second child, but I'm just so nervous about getting pre-e again.  

We were really lucky in that I didn't get it until late term, probably 33 weeks.  I ended up on bed rest and was able to stave off labor until the day he was 37 weeks.  So, again, really lucky there, but I was completely miserable.  I'm worried that if I got pregnant again, I could get it much earlier and have a premie or worse.  Plus, the whole miserable-ness of it for me just scares the heck out of me.

I wonder if pre-e is insulin/diabetes related.  So far, everyone I know personally that has had pre-e, has either had past issues with their insulin or were full blown diabetic before they got pregnant.  

[lurknomore]

I had it with DD1 but not until late in the pg. When I delivered (emergency c/s) my bp was 240/140. In talking to dr, I was told it is much more common with first pg, but sure enough, I got it again with DD2. My bp started creeping up around the start of third tri and by 32 weeks I was on modified bed rest. I was able to work (from home mostly) and take care of things around the house, but was supposed to spend at least 6 hours a day in bed doing nothing basically. We delivered (c/s) at 37 weeks when my urine labs (24 hour urine collection every week) started looking no so hot.

I talked to dr a long time before deciding to have a third. I'm 34 weeks now, and although I have had some sporadic high bp readings, so far so good. I'm working at home part time and can still go into the office. I def have bad days when my bp is up (mostly days in the office) but as long as I can bring it down by laying down/relaxing in a couple of hours, I don't even need to call dr. He is very aware of my history and will deliver at the slightest sign. Right now he is exceptionally optimistic I will make it to my c/s scheduled at 39w 5d. We'll see.

I have not had any sugar/GD issues in normal life or with any of my pregnancies, though I have had big babies (9 lbs 4 oz at 39 weeks and 8 lbs 1 oz at 37 weeks) both times. I'm afraid of the size of this one if I do actually make it to 39w 5d .

[ijack]

There generally isn't anything you can do to prevent it. Have you talked to your OB about it? Chances are they'll start monitoring your protein levels much earlier. The "experts" say that if you get it the second time around it's usually less severe and happens later, but I will say that everyone I know who had it the first time around also had it the 2nd.

[turtlegirl]

I had it the first time around and was induced at 37w exactly. I didn't have any GD issues, never have. And when I'm not pregnant or in early pregnancy my blood pressure is actually really low, around 60/100 or something like that.

I've had low platelets both pregnancies, but never fully developed HEELP either time.

Second pregnancy I started coming in 2x a week for blood pressure checks, urine tests, blood tests (1x week) and NST's around 35 weeks. Blood pressure started to creep up around then, but not as bad or as quickly as the first pregnancy. I started steroids around 36/37 weeks to keep my platelets up.

I started to go into very early labor on my own on 37w4d the second time around and had an NST that morning. Dr. decided to just go ahead with an induction that evening since my body was already making progress on it's own (3cm) and it would just be better to get baby out before I developed full pre-e and had to be on magnesium, etc during labor (which is what I hated the most about my first delivery/induction).

[dbsk8dance]

I had it with #1 but not #2. There isnt' anything you can do about it. You didn't DO anything to cause it the first time, therefore you can't do anything to prevent it the second time.

I was treated as high risk for #2. I was on BP meds from the start and did a 24 hour urine catch early on in my 2nd pregnancy to set a baseline for later. I was also taking one baby asprin and calcium (they do think this can help) per the high risk dr's orders.

I made it to 39wks 1 day with #2, went into spontaneous labor and had a VBAC. My BP did start to spike every time I had a contraction, so I got the epi early to help with that (it was related to pain.)

Talk to your Dr. I totally understand being worried about a premie and having pre e again. We were there too and it is why there is almost 4 years between my kids.

[zeewifeandmama]

For #1 I had PIH, severe swelling and was induced for being " borderline" pre-e. I was on bed rest from 22 weeks until 39 week induction. The second time around, I did swell but not quite as severely. Also my bp never got past 120/80 and I wasn't spilling any protein - although I did gain more weight. I went into labor spontaneously at 39.1. So, so, so different the second time around for me.

[pierogigirl]

I had pre-e with DS1 and not DS2. I was diagnosed at 30 weeks and put on bedrest. I was induced at 38 weeks. I went into labor naturally with DS2 at 39 weeks 5 days. I did try to maintain a reduced sodium and high protein diet and limit weight gain with DS2. I saw a nutritionist, but I'm not convinced that had anything to do with it. I never had gestational diabetes.

[electricmayhem]

I had sudden onset pre-e w/ #1: no symptoms at all, went in for my routine 34.5w visit and discovered that my bp was up 30 points over its normal reading and I was spilling protein. Went in for observation, doctor recommended induction once bp spiked some more, baby didn't handle labor well and had a c-section at 35w exactly.

For #2, I explained all of my concerns to the OB, but did nothing different from my first pregnancy in terms of eating, exercise, etc. They did not put me on meds and I was monitored a bit more closely in that I did two urine catches to get baselines, but otherwise, very routine care. They checked my bp weekly starting at 35 weeks. I went into labor on my own at 40w2d and had a successful VBAC the next day; my bp was perfect throughout. I understand the fear and the worry; I don't know if this helps at all, but once I got past the point where I developed it with DS, I was much more relaxed about it developing again since I more or less figured I knew what would happen if I delivered before my due date.

[mellymel]

I had pre-e with DS which developed later in the pregnancy and I had to deliver him at 38 weeks.

With DD, I never developed it and we went to 42 weeks with her!

My doctor did tell me that focusing on a healthy weight gain would help a lot. I also got an automatic blood pressure cuff and took my blood pressure every day to keep an eye on it.

[lolo]

I've been meaning to post the same question. I had no symptoms but elevated bp and +1 protein in my urine at my 40w appointment sent me to l&d. Getting it again is a big fear of mine.

[brit1017]

I had pre-e with DS, but did not get it again with DD. With DS, my bp started creeping up at the beginning of 3rd tri, and I was diagnosed with PIH by 33 wks. They started suggesting that I cut back on work, but I didn't listen. At my 36 week appt, the Dr gave me the choice between bedrest and hospital bedrest due to the increase in bp, so I stopped working at that point. I started going in 2x per week for appts, and was diagnosed with pre-e at 37w3d and induced.

With DD, I had switched to a midwife/OB-GYN practice, but primarily saw the midwives. They started me on daily low-dose aspirin to decrease the risk of pre-e. I overall made an effort to eat better during that pregnancy and gained less weight. When my bp was high at my 34 week appt, I immediately stopped working, and my bp went back to normal and stayed there until I delivered at 39 weeks.

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