If there's a previous history of Preeclampsia, is a subsequent baby usually induced?

[Aderyn]

This is about a friend. She's 16 weeks pregnant and her doctor is pushing for her to be induced, even though there are no signs of preeclampsia in this pregnany. She is in her late 30s so he cites that as another good reason.

Would the 2 things together mean she is better off being induced or do neither of these things matter?

Thanks

[Aderyn]

36 weeks pregnant.

[Tommy]

my friend had pre eclampsia with her first. he was born by section at about 30 weeks. Subsequent babies went to 38 and she had 2 more sections.

IME male doctors always want to induce or intervene in some way!!

[lulumama]

if she is clear, what is the rush....she can be monitored carefully....why induce 4 weeks before EDD? surely that is not ideal...baby better in utero if nothing to indicate otheriwse

agree with tommy re intervention etc ...

[cupcakes]

I had pre-eclampsia with my first and was told that so long as subsequent pregnancies were with the same father then there was no increased risk of getting it again.
And anyway - why would they want to decide about induction now? Surely wait till she is closer to term and assess her health then.

[cupcakes]

oh sorry - is this her first?

[Aderyn]

I don't think they want to induce her now, maybe nearer to 38 weeks.

[lulumama]

oh i see...still , if there is no sign , they should leave well alone IMHO!! an induction done too early, before the body is ready, is not great ......best to leave baby in utero until spontaneous labour unless compelling medical evidence says otherwise IMO

[rachelhill]

Hi Cupcake

If that's true, you have just made my day! I was told I did have a higher risk of repeated pre-eclampsia with number 2.

Also I (donning teflon suit) personally think it's a really bad idea to even TALK to obs/gyns about induction because if you look willing, you'll be 'gently encouraged' to have one and if its your first it can really marr your experience both for your first and subsequent births.

Next time I'm wearing full arm gloves to stop the docs coming anywhere near me with a canula.

NB if she has preeclampsia Aderyn, they may well put her on bed rest for a few months (frankly I enjoyed the rest, although I got quite fat!)

Your friend should read up on the action on pre eclampsia site. For instance, it is believed that women with this condition will have v quick deliveries and the docs cited this as a reason syntocin wouldn't be too bad . 15 hours later when I had an emergency section I sort of didn't believe them!!!!

[cupcakes]

rachel - I was told that by several consultants and midwives in my 2 subsequent pregnancies so I am taking it as true!

[MrsJohnCusack]

er....no
not unless she gets it again! surely they should just monitor her carefully and that's it - much better to go into labour naturally if there are no problems (I was induced last time due to high blood pressure and I'm bloody well avoiding it this time unless there's a really good reason)

no idea what the relevance of being in her late 30s is - what the hell has that got to do with the price of fish?
he sounds mad!

[cupcakes]

me too, MrsJC. I had an appointment with the consultant mid pregnancy and told her that while I'd allow a sweep if I went overdue there was no way on earth I was ever going to be induced again. My plan was to wait and if that was ill advised I was going to have a planned section.
She quite happily agreed to this (but luckily for me I went into labour 10 days early).

[MrsJohnCusack]

do you know I'd be livid in your friend's situation Aderyn. I wonder if it's just more convenient for him to induce her.

(well lets hope something simlar happens to me cupcakes! 6 weeks to go...let operation no induction commence! (although for other reasons I reallllllly don't want a c-section, so I may yet have to concede defeat). And actually I don't want the baby to come more than 2 days early. Particular, aren't I? I just know none of it's going to go anything like what suits me!)

[cornishpasty]

My best friend had pre eclampsia with her first, she was induced early with him and had him by section.
Her second pregnancey was fine - no pre eclampsia and he was a vaginal birth born on his due date. I think she should be left if there's no sign of any problems.

[jofeb04]

Hi
Just want to say I had Pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy, and was informed that I was no more likely to get it in a second pregnancy as anyone else ifswim.

For information, I did not have it second time around.

[Aderyn]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'll pass information onto my friend.

[divastrop]

ive just seen this thread-i find it really strange cos my consultant goes out of her way to avoid inductions!i had pre-eclampsia with my first and have had high bp from about 34 weeks with the other 3,resulting in induction at 38 weeks.but with the last 2,it wasnt decided that i would be induced till my 36 week appt with the consultant,and only then it was because the bp medication wasnt working very well and i refused to go inot hospital for bedrest.consultant also made sure she had my full,informed consent before booking me in.
this time(i am due in march)she has agreed to induce at 39 weeks(cos i want to be as its what im used to)because ive already had some probs with my bp in this preg.but i had to ask her...she wouldnt have suggested it.maybe its because shes female and has children of her own?!

[rachelhill]

Hi Aderyn

I spoke to my obstetric consultant last week on another matter and he said that although there is a SLIGHTLY elevated risk of pre-eclampsia, because I know about it and will take evasive action (ie not run around like a nutter for the last four months of pregnancy) and will have consultant monitoring, it is LESS likely I will need to be induced or get pre-eclampsia again.

I chose not to point out that I HAD consultant monitoring in my last pregnancy.

Tell your friend to get a stick to take with her to all appointments to wave menacingly to anyone suggesting intervention

Rachel