pre eclamsia after birth

[5kidsnobump]

Has anyone else had this?

Basically had my baby 2 weeks ago today. Was admitted to hospital before he was born with high bp, protein etc. Then Bp went down a bit and they let me out after a couple of days. Fortunately I went into labour naturally the next day and had ds3.

Felt ok immediately after birth but started feeling crap about day 2. Bp was back up at the 5 day check, then spent the next 6 days having Bp checked every day and gp trying a couple of different medications but nothing seemed to keep Bp down.

Eventually started feeling really unwell on thurs - constant splitting headache, couldn't see properly and was struggling to string a sentence together! Finally readmitted to hospital at this point and now looks like Bp under control after 4 days with lots of medication!

Has anyone else experienced this after the birth, and did the bp sort itself out eventually?
!

[lotsofcheese]

I had severe PE at 28 weeks - my BP remained raised after too & I was on a reducing dose of Nifedipine for 6 weeks. I believe that you should be referred to a medical consultant if the high BP persists longer than 6 weeks, according to the NICE guidelines.

It sounds like you had PE before delivery if you had high BP & protein in urine. Although it can apparently occur up to 2 weeks after.

Hoping it's under control soon.

[5kidsnobump]

I think your probably right lotsofcheese I think I did also have it before birth, they were just pretty bad at handling it and allowing me out of hospital! Fortunately I had the baby within 24 hours of that happening, so it doesn't seem to have affected him, which is the main thing.

I also had PE with my first baby, but it went away straight afterwards. I thought delivering the baby got rid of it, clearly not always then!

So once Bp was under control lotsofcheese did it stay ok on the meds? I am also on nifedipine and also labetalol. They have said as long as my next 2 Bp readings r ok then they will let me out of hospital, but I think dh is panicing in case things go Tits up again like earlier on in the week!

[newby2]

Hi ladies, this sounds like me 2.5 years ago. It's gutting isn't it? Every-one goes on about how delivering will be the only cure then you feel just as crap! No-one warns you of the post-birth stay! I got to 34 weeks then severe pe came on for around a week (prob more but missed symptoms) and had baby a week later at 35 weeks.

I was really unwell after managed on Nifed and Labet but was discharged from hospital around 3 weeks after birth.

I monitored my bp closely at home and after 6 weeks total had weaned off of meds. I had severe pe so hopefully you may take the classic 2 weeks. It wont be much longer than that- I was resusitated twice and had 3 weeks, you'll be fine.xxx

[5kidsnobump]

Blimey newby that sounds pretty scary! I didn't actually feel as bad prior to giving birth, and although my Bp was high before, it didn't get ridiculously high until post birth!

Thought things were probably not too good when they rearranged all the ladies in who had sections so they could put me right in front of the nurses station where they could see me!

Is bad that nobody warns you that it can still carry on afterwards, or how serious it can be. If I had made more of a fuss when I felt bad initially things may have been sorted before now! Just thought it was taking longer to get over the birth!

[lotsofcheese]

yes, once they got control of my BP it was kept that way - however it took over a week post-delivery to get it right - but I also had HELLP symdrome & clotting abnormalities - so I was kept in during that time.

Once I got home, I had daily visits from the midwives for BP checks, then weekly at the GP's, who gradually reduced my doses down.

I also had no symptoms of PE - had I not had 3+ of protein and BP of 140+/90+ at my routine 28-week check, I would never have known. It was a very scary time, DS had to be delivered by emergency section at 29 weeks & was in NICU for over 3 months.

It's a truly horrible condition. If you are thinking of having more children in the future, it's worth a chat with your consultant to find out the implications for future pregnancies, given that you've had it twice before.

[FloJo151]

hi, sorry to hijack but lots of cheese have you just got the 1 dc? A member of my family has recently had a baby and had undiagnosed Helpp syndrome until she was 1 wk overdue and then it was all panic stations. her and babs are now fine but i know she's wondering about whether to have any future dc and just wondered if i can give her any advice or point her in the right direction of things thaty have helped others

[lotsofcheese]

hi flojo I'm currently pregnant with no. 2! I insisted on seeing a consultant after DS was born, to discusss the implications for further pregnancies.

There seems to be a link between earlier PE & subsequent pregnancies - it comes on average two weeks later if you're going to get it again. However, the risk is dependant on how early the PE was - for me it's about 30% in this pregnancy so am crossing my fingers.I was told it would be very unlikely I would get HELLP syndrome twice.

The NICE Guidelines "Hypertension in Pregnancy" give a rough idea of risks & treatments - they're quite wordy but if your family member is interested she could have a look at them.

[newby2]

I might be able to help there too Flo. I'm pregnant 34 weeks currently after nasty pre-eclampsia the 1st time. I had a pre-conception appointment with an obstetrician who wouldn't give me stats about my chances this time. I'm currently rudely healthy and booked for an elective c sec at 39 weeks.

It's not an easy decision but so far so good!

[FloJo151]

thanks

[5kidsnobump]

Finally home from hospital! They let me out yesterday tea time, and midwife has just been round this morning and looks like bp is still ok. Just need to remember to keep taking the pills every few hours!

lotsofcheese DH has had the snip - so this is definately our last baby - so fortunately don't have the worry of going through pregnancy again. Have to admit I would definately think twice about it after my experience this time.

Also a word of warning - I had pre-eclamsia with DC1 but only before the birth, all went away and no issues afterwards. Then 3 pregnancies with no problems, then obviously lots of problems this time with DC5. Which is another myth - that it only affects things if its your first baby! I was not expecting any of this though - as I had 3 babies inbetween no's 1 & 5, and no sign of any BP issues with any of the others. Also when I had PE with DC1 I didn't feel ill at all - only symptom I had was bad swelling, and obviously protein and high Bp when they checked it. This time I have felt completely awful, to the point that I have literally been struggling to do anything over the last 2 weeks. Feel like I have missed out a bit with DS3 as DH has been pretty much been looking after him as I have felt so bad

[5kidsnobump]

Another quick question to those who have been put on lots of medication - did it still make you feel knackered and a bit crap? Currently on Labetol 3x a day and nefedipine 2x a day - feeling better than I did with the high bp but still don't feel brilliant. Wondering if its just side effects of all the tablets?

[newby2]

Hiya 5kids, that's still a lot of medication. Do you have a home monitoring BP machine? It is possibly that even being at home has brought your bp down and it may be on the lower side of normal. I would take your bp regularly throughout the day, write it down and make sure your midwife/gp knows what it is so they can interpret it. Also are you sure you aren't anaemic?

I went home just on Labetalol 3 times day and weaned really quickly (I'm a nurse) and saw my gp twice and midwife once when I came home- they just let me get on with it.

You do feel rubbish with post pre-eclampsia bp as well but give it another week, you'll feel much better.

[5kidsnobump]

Yes Newby I do have a home BP monitor - bought it when I was having BP problems with DC1!

Have been checking it regularly, as am a bit paranoid after all the problems in the last couple of weeks. Doesn't seem that low, mostly 130 something over 80 something, and still occasionally going above the 140/90 figure. Normally when I am not having all these issues my BP sits at 120/70 consistently - and it hasn't been back down to that level yet - even with all the drugs . They did try me on only the labetalol initially in hospital, but it wasn't keeping the bp down enough on its own.

I think it may be the nifedipine that is doing it, both times after I took it yesterday I felt really cold and shivery and had to put about 3 jumpers on, even though DH was only wearing a t-shirt, so clearly was not that cold! Seeing the midwife again tomorrow so I'll mention it to her. I just want to feel normal again!

[newby2]

Hang on in there, won't be long, give it a few more days. Yes, youre right Nifed is the culprit probably but it will be the first to be knocked off when your bp settles a little more. I had to stay in hospital for 3 weeks post birth with the same issues in both nifed and labet so at least youre able to go home. I felt exactly the same as you.

Chin up, it's not for long.xx

[lotsofcheese]

newby I had cold, shivery episodes after taking insant-release Nifedipine - but not so much with the standard version.

I knew it was time to reduce the dose when I woke up during the night with tingling sensations in my arms - a sign my BP was low.

My normal BP is 100-110 over 60-70. I remember the midwife checking it when I had PE & tellling me it was 140+ over 90+. I didn't believe her and thought her technique/machine were dodgy as I'd never been hypertensive in my life!

[5kidsnobump]

Well spoke 2 soon. Back in hospital : ( felt fine when I got up this morning but after about an hour had mega headache back and couldn't see a thing due 2 blured vision. Dh had a bit of a flap and phoned midwife, and Bp back up 2 165/ 100 when she checked it, even with all the medication.

Consultant has admitted they don't know why Bp keeps jumping about all over the place. So more nights in hospital :( is getting a little depressing.

[lotsofcheese]

Sorry to hear that, 5kids. I know it's no consolation, but you are in the right place & hopefully it will be sorted soon.

I also got similar symptoms when my BP was rising after being under control for only a short time.

Hoping your hospital stay is a short one xx

[newby2]

Exactly the same as me (I was worse postnatal than prenatal) 200/100 etc for the first couple of days with medication and it took 3 weeks in hospital post birth but all of a sudden it's like some-thing kicked in and it all started to work then i was like a different woman.

Feel for you but it won't be long and your body will adjust.
Honestly- my bp was worse than yours and I never thought Id get out, but I did and was fine at home.

xxx

[5kidsnobump]

Thanx for the messages lotsofcheese and newby it does just feel like it will never be sorted :(

Every day I keep thinking I might suddenly feel better and its just not happening. Doesn't help that all the kids r at home. Dd1 was crying on the phone when she got back from school and realised I was back in hospital :(

[newby2]

It must be horrible when you have kids at home. I dread it (currently 34 weeks) a two year old too. The only thing is it's time with just you and your baby which will be precious bonding time you'll never get back but I know that's no consolation.

Honestly your bp WILL rectify itself once the initial shock of birth is over. I was completely out of control and once my body settled I didn't look back.

Try to keep positive for you new baby too (how are they?)

[5kidsnobump]

That is definitely the worst part about it newby that the other kids r all at home. Baby is also at home with dh as he had been more or less looking after him since he was born as I have felt so crap :(

Well Bp readings don't seem to have been too bad overnight, although have been laid down for nearly 24 hours now. Probably a different story if I get up and start moving about! Waiting to see what the consultant says this morning.

So this hasn't put you off having another baby then newby!

[newby2]

Poor you, I really do know how you feel. You're turing the corner! Overnight good readings was the start of my recovery. You may find that having a little walk around the ward and a shower perks you up, get on the phone to your family as much as you can- it's easy to withdraw when you feel crappy!

We deliberated long and hard about this current pregnancy and although Ive held it together really well, I'm very stressed about the birth (elec sec at 39 weeks) BUT Im coming up for 35 weeks with no symptoms so positive I can keep this up.

If you can, have your baby with you as much as possible- it aids your hormones which in turn helps the bp and will make you and your baby feel better. My daughter was very poorly at birth and spent a few days in scbu where I watched her like a hawk despite feeling like death and was so focussed on looking after her that my symptoms paled into insignificance compared to having her with me. I'm a paediatric nurse and so was able to have her out of scbu way before she was discharged and look after her on the post-natal ward.

It's hard but try to engage yourself as much as possible with your family and baby- it makes a massive difference to your blood pressure.

Chin up- you're doing brilliantly!! What a difference 48 hours has made.xxx

[TheOnlyPersonInTheRoom]

Hi,
I had PE with my DD (born Sept 2011), I didn't come off the BP drugs until January. I am now back on them again!

[5kidsnobump]

Thanks newby. Dh did bring harry in this afternoon and I said if I'm still here tomorrow maybe he could bring him in the morning and leave him here while he looks after the other kids at home. At least it would take my mind off things a bit, and I don't feel quite as bad as I did now.
Well after the good readings overnight, had another high one this afternoon. They are talking about increasing the labetalol to 4 x daily, so will see if that does the trick.

That's a bit worrying onlyperson I am really hoping that it is all pregnancy related and I can come off all the drugs soon.

[TheOnlyPersonInTheRoom]

Hope so! I'm pg again hence back on the labetalol but I'm only 7wks so don't think it's pg related tbh. When DD was born I was on 4 labetalol and another drug I can't remember and my bp was still raging lol - mind you I did find it all very stressful what with the mil visits etc!

I'm also taking aspirin daily which is meant to reduce the risk of pre eclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy so fingers Xed

Anyway good luck to you