If you had preeclampsia with your first baby...

[Wonderwall]

Disclaimer **NOT CURRENTLY PREGNANT*** just nosey.


I had preeclampsia with my little guy. Ugh. So stressful.

We are kicking around the idea of going for #2.

If you had preeclampsia with your first baby did you also have it with your second? What did you (if anything) to help stave it off? I've been doing some research, but I thought I'd ask you for your first hand experiences... 


Thanks... 

[lolo]

I had pre-e diagnosed at 40w with DD. I'm currently 18w pregnant with #2.

I requested to be tested for the MTHFR genetic mutation, which is linked with pre-e and HELLP (along with a few other things). About 10-15% of white women have it, and so do I. This means my body struggles to break down folic acid and a byproduct (homocysteine) rises and, in turn, makes pre-e more likely.

I have switched to a folate, food-based prenatal. We had base labs run so it will be easier to tell if something is off and might test my homocysteine levels later in pregnancy.

I'm also supplementing with extra vitamin D, even above my prenatal.

Otherwise, I'm just hoping for the best.

[greycat]

I developed pre-e very late in my first pregnancy. I was diagnosed at 40w when I started spilling protein in my urine but had normal blood pressure.

I did not develop it with my second pregnancy (induced at 41w 2d). I didn't do anything special to prevent it.

[pierogigirl]

I had pre-e with DS1 but not DS2. I was put on a high protein diet, but I don't know that it actually had an effect on the pregnancy.

[magpie]

I was not diagnosed with pre-e, but I had signs that I was developing it 2 days before my due date (not so great labs, sudden high blood pressure), so they induced me. I later had really high blood pressure that showed up a few days after delivery (and sent me to the hospital again, ugh!). I eventually ended up taking labetalol for 6 or so weeks after delivery. This time around, my doctor has me taking baby aspirin, which cuts the odds of re-occurrence. My blood pressure has been really low and I hope to escape the blood pressure issues from last time around.

[Wonderwall]

Thank you lolo , @starry , greycat ,I really appreciate your responses!

I'm working towards getting my weight down now - eating healthier and working out. Hoping that will help in the long run if we decide to pull the trigger on baby #2.

Quick follow up question - was your BP for the most part normal after your Postpartum period?

[Deleted]

Had it with DD and not with DS. Didn't do anything special/different.
At the very very end of my pregnancy my bp started going up a little but not much and I didn't have protein in my urine or anything, and I delivered at 40w6d

[Deleted]

Apr 18, 2016 17:46:58 GMT -5 Wonderwall said:

Thank you lolo , @starry , greycat ,I really appreciate your responses!

I'm working towards getting my weight down now - eating healthier and working out. Hoping that will help in the long run if we decide to pull the trigger on baby #2.

Quick follow up question - was your BP for the most part normal after your Postpartum period?

My bp is now typically 110/70, my pre-e pregnancy was 4 years ago. I don't remember my bp between pregnancies but I know it wasn't high

[Wonderwall]

Apr 18, 2016 17:42:25 GMT -5 pierogigirl said:

I had pre-e with DS1 but not DS2. I was put on a high protein diet, but I don't know that it actually had an effect on the pregnancy.

Interesting! Thank your sharing your experience w/ me.  

[boiler717]

I took aspirin for pre-E prevention but never developed pre-E

[Wonderwall]

Apr 18, 2016 17:43:10 GMT -5 magpie said:

I was not diagnosed with pre-e, but I had signs that I was developing it 2 days before my due date (not so great labs, sudden high blood pressure), so they induced me. I later had really high blood pressure that showed up a few days after delivery (and sent me to the hospital again, ugh!). I eventually ended up taking labetalol for 6 or so weeks after delivery. This time around, my doctor has me taking baby aspirin, which cuts the odds of re-occurrence. My blood pressure has been really low and I hope to escape the blood pressure issues from last time around.

My PP Pre-e was bad too. Thakfully, I didn't land back in the hospital despite threats from the docs that they would admit me back in.. 

I was on meds for a bit post partum and bed rest. It was really kinda scary to be honest. 

Thank you for your response, I REALLY appreciate it. 

[zeewifeandmama]

For my first pregnancy I was like riiiiigggghhhhtttt on the border of pre-E... PIH for sure. Was on bed rest forever. BP went down as soon as I gave birth.

Never even had elevated pressures with #2. Gained more with second pregnancy ( 65 lbs). No issues at all.

[greycat]

Apr 18, 2016 17:46:58 GMT -5 Wonderwall said:

Thank you lolo , @starry , greycat ,I really appreciate your responses!

I'm working towards getting my weight down now - eating healthier and working out. Hoping that will help in the long run if we decide to pull the trigger on baby #2.

Quick follow up question - was your BP for the most part normal after your Postpartum period?

My blood pressure was normal before delivery (I was induced after they discovered the high protein in my urine) and post partum. I didn't have any BP issues during my second pregnancy or after so far (baby is almost 1week).

[Wonderwall]

Apr 18, 2016 18:11:17 GMT -5 greycat said:

Apr 18, 2016 17:46:58 GMT -5 Wonderwall said:

Thank you lolo , @starry , greycat ,I really appreciate your responses!

I'm working towards getting my weight down now - eating healthier and working out. Hoping that will help in the long run if we decide to pull the trigger on baby #2.

Quick follow up question - was your BP for the most part normal after your Postpartum period?

My blood pressure was normal before delivery (I was induced after they discovered the high protein in my urine) and post partum. I didn't have any BP issues during this pregnancy or after so far (baby is almost 1week).

Congrats on the baby

[greycat]

Apr 18, 2016 18:12:55 GMT -5 Wonderwall said:

Apr 18, 2016 18:11:17 GMT -5 greycat said:

My blood pressure was normal before delivery (I was induced after they discovered the high protein in my urine) and post partum. I didn't have any BP issues during this pregnancy or after so far (baby is almost 1week).

Congrats on the baby

Thanks!!

[lolo]

Apr 18, 2016 17:55:36 GMT -5 Wonderwall said:

Apr 18, 2016 17:42:25 GMT -5 pierogigirl said:

I had pre-e with DS1 but not DS2. I was put on a high protein diet, but I don't know that it actually had an effect on the pregnancy.

Interesting! Thank your sharing your experience w/ me.  

My midwife also recommends a high protein diet.

I have chosen to just eat well but not specifically high protein, especially since basically all meat and beans are on my list of aversions this time.

My BP was in the normal range within 48 hours of delivery. It's only been high since when I'm at a medical office lol.

[mellymel]

I had pre-e with DS but not with DD (our 2nd).

[imimahoney]

Had it with DS, induced at 38 weeks for suspected HELLP. Made it to all the way with my DD. She came on her own at 40.5.

[pinotgrig]

spk926 and maybe Elsa?

[Elsa]

Had pre-e with #1, diagnosed early ish, like 24 weeks. Delivered at 37, had been on bed rest since 30. Both at home and in the hospital.

Currently 30 weeks pg with #2. Bp is ok- 130s/80s, no spilling protein. I've been taking a daily low dose aspirin based on ACOG recommendations and eating a high protein diet (Brewers diet). I've also been seeing my chiro frequently and taking a magnesium supplement. I do think all of that is helping.

[savan]

I had pre-e with DS. It started around 37.5 weeks with high blood pressure and some protein in my urine . I spent a week on bed rest and then was induced and had to have the magnesium.

With DD, I made it all the way until my 40 week appt before my blood pressure spiked. My ob was talking about collecting my urine and doing an NST until she discovered I was already 5 cm dilated. She sent me to the hospital to have the baby instead. They said I didn't need the magnesium as long as she came within the next few hours and she did.

ETA:  I did nothing different the second time around.

[pooh8402]

MrsAggie had PP pre-e and is expecting again, she would be able to answer this.

[Narwhal]

I developed HELLP at 29 weeks with my twins. This pregnancy I've been on baby aspirin since the test turned positive and am monitoring my blood pressure at home. I'm only 20 weeks, but hopefully I don't develop anything this time, or much later in pregnancy if I do. I actually met with my MFM today and he said the aspirin and calling with any slight signs is the best course of action.

[Narwhal]

Apr 18, 2016 18:42:18 GMT -5 Elsa said:

Had pre-e with #1, diagnosed early ish, like 24 weeks. Delivered at 37, had been on bed rest since 30. Both at home and in the hospital.

Currently 30 weeks pg with #2. Bp is ok- 130s/80s, no spilling protein. I've been taking a daily low dose aspirin based on ACOG recommendations and eating a high protein diet (Brewers diet). I've also been seeing my chiro frequently and taking a magnesium supplement. I do think all of that is helping.

Did your Dr. recommend the magnesium supplement? I sort of supplemented with my last pregnancy and it did nothing. Haha. But I am willing to try more diligently this pregnancy to prevent HELLP. What mg a day are you taking if you don't mind my asking.

[Deleted]

I have never had protein in my urine but I had pre-e twice, the first 2 times I was PG. I was induced with DS at 37 weeks and got magnesium and the whole works. Then I had DD1 and my BP got high quickly and they gave me pitocin to speed up what was very early labor. With DD2 and 3 I had a BP spike around week 32? and then it got bad after I delivered so I was given Labetalol but did not have pre-e... This time (DD4) I had my BP spike at 20 weeks and was diagnosed with gestational hypertension and put on meds, I see a MFM doctor and regular OB and will start non-stress tests soon. I will be induced at 37 weeks, I was very slim before becoming PG and have barely gained any weight. I did not have bp issues outside of pregnancy related ones.

[spk926]

Thanks for the tag!

Yes, I had pre-e with both. The second time it was classified as "severe pre-e". I was with a different doctor, practice, and hospital for each pregnancy so some differences can be attributed to that.

With #1 I started swelling around 24 weeks, was placed on bed rest at 32 because of my BP, hospital bed rest at 35, and the morning I hit 36 weeks I was induced. DD was born and a NICU team was in the delivery room ready for her but she was fine.

With #2 I was on baby aspirin and didn't start swelling until about 31 weeks and even then it wasn't bad. By 33 weeks though it was extreme. Carpel Tunnel was back (I had it with #1 as well) and was so bad I couldn't feel my fingertips on either hand and my entire right hand was numb pretty much constantly. It was horrible. No bed rest, but again I was with a different doctor. I started seeing him weekly at 32 weeks to monitor my swelling, BP and protein. At 35w 5d I was a mess. My swelling was truly worse than you can imagine, my BP was very very elevated and I was spilling protein. A pre-e diagnosis is 300-400mg of protein in urine and I had 2,000mg. Again, the morning I hit 36 weeks I was induced and DS was born 36w2d. He spent 8 days in the NICU due to immature lungs and difficulty breathing.

For delivery #1 the hospital's policy is magnesium sulfate is standard with a pre-e diagnosis but the hospital and doctor I delivered with for #2 leaves it as a case by case basis so I didn't have it wih DS thankfully.

For both I had BP issues for roughly 6 weeks PP and saw my doctor weekly to monitor and adjust meds. I was off BP meds by 7 weeks PP both times. DS is 8 weeks today and my BP is back to normal.

I talked with my doctor about a potential #3 and he all but guarantees I'll go down the same road again if we decide on another pregnancy.

I'm on my phone so sorry for typos. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[turtlegirl]

I had pre-e and low platelets with my first. I was induced at 37w exactly.

With my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies I still had low platelets and my blood pressure was slightly elevated, but it never got into full blown pre-e range. And I was able to avoid magnesium during labor and delivery and recovery (thank goodness, that stuff is awful!)

I didn't do anything different. And when not pregnant I have almost freakishly low blood pressure. No other risk factors either. I'm young, in pretty good shape, not overweight at all and pretty healthy. My body just freaks out once it gets to about 35 weeks pregnant apparently.

[MrsAggie]

I was diagnosed with pre-e and put on bed rest at 35w5d and delivered less than a week later. I also had postpartum pre-e so 2 rounds of mag. Blood pressure issues became chronic for me and after a year plus regular exercise I was able to come off of blood pressure meds. My pressures have been good thus far. My RE increased my dose of metformin this time around to see if that could help and my OB has me on a low dose aspirin to help ward off the pre-e. I'm currently 11w4d and hoping for the best! A first pregnancy does increase your risk for pre-e so, in theory, I won't have that one risk factor.

[WillabyWallabyWu]

I had HELLP with DS1 and I'm 31 weeks with DS2 right now. I've been taking a baby aspirin every day since I got the positive pregnancy test. My doctor says I had a very atypical presentation of HELLP so this time around we did baseline bloodwork and she's doing bloodwork checks at 28, 32, 34, 36, and every week after that. The only reason we knew I had HELLP last time was because she sent me for bloodwork at 36 weeks when my bp was slightly elevated. I truly felt fine. No headaches, no major swelling, no real indication that something was wrong. The bloodwork showed my liver functions being out of whack and after delivery my platelets got super low. I had a longer magnesium sulfate drip (36 hrs vs the standard 24 hrs) and I received two blood transfusions.

Overall my recovery wasn't great, but I knew I wanted more than one child so at my 8 week follow up with DS1 we discussed what the plan would be for future pregnancies. Having that long timeframe to consider and plan for a future pregnancy really helped me mentally. I'd suggest talking to your doctor if you are considering another pregnancy, just to help you wrap your brain around it.

[magpie]

oh yeah, I forgot to say that my OB had me do baseline blood work and a baseline 24 hour urine test this time around at the start of my pregnancy. Basically, she said that there is some risk that I will develop the same problems, but that we'll monitor a little more closely and that I might not experience any of the same problems at all.