Pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancy, anyone else?

[TeaPleaseBob]

I’ve just found out I’m pregnant for 2nd time. Very much planned and has taken quite a while so both me and DH delighted.

I had preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome in my first pregnancy though and my DD was born following induction at 35 weeks. During my last pregnancy I took aspirin as was noted to be at increased risk of preeclampsia so I’m assuming I’ll need to take it again this time. I’m sure at the time my midwife said I’d probably be consultant led care in any future pregnancies so expecting this too.

I’m phoning today to arrange booking appointment with midwife so will hopefully get all the info soon but wondered if anyone else is in a similar position? I’m lucky that both me and DD were absolutely fine but worried that it might happen again as it’s only afterwards that I've read more about preeclampsia and HELLP and realise many people are not so lucky.

[stockportmother]

I had PE 3 times
Research in the Us says metformin prevents PE
If I were to be pregnant again I'd look into it, can buy it online and it's a safe drug. Not current NHS practice though

I was bed bound at exactly 27wk with all 3 and seriously ill, had liver failure with 2nd

It's rare to get it 3 times but there is a gene for it. Nhs doesn't know what to test for or who will get it

Good luck and try to do things you enjoy for first 6m and save in cas. You cannot work for last 3m

[Foggymist]

I had it with dc1, diagnosed at 36 weeks and he was born by emcs at 36+6. He was fine, 7lbs 7ozs at that gestation, I had severe swelling and high bp. I'm 34 weeks now with dc2, I feel the hypertension/pre eclampsia threat is just hanging over me. I've way less swelling than last time and bp is normal so far so am really hoping I don't get it.

[Sunshinegirl82]

I would make a gp's appointment prior to booking in. I was told I'd need to go on bp medication almost straight away and so not to wait for booking in. Can always see if they'll speak to you on the phone.

[TeaPleaseBob]

Have you been seeing consultant as well as midwife Foggy? I didn’t realise how nervous I’d feel until I saw the positive pregnancy test.

Thanks sunshine, I’ll call and see if I can speak to midwife or GP before booking in appointment.

[Foggymist]

No only met consultant at 12 week appt because he happened to be there, no actual appts based on my history. I just see the midwife and a doctor at every hospital appt which is standard here.

[Waitingonasmile]

Hi! I had pre eclampsia with first pregnancy. Symptoms started at 32 weeks and DS delivered by emcs at 35 weeks. 4 pound 6 so small but healthy.

I'm now 27 weeks into second pregnancy and haven't really noticed much difference in care. Had one consultant appointment, will have 2 growth scans and have been taking aspirin since 12 weeks.

I would recommend getting a blood pressure monitor just for reassurance! I bought one for about £20.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

[FaFoutis]

I had it in first pregnancy and was under consultant care for the next two. I saw the consultant regularly, as well as a midwife who was an useless idiot.
You need to keep yourself informed and push for the kind of care you feel safe with.

[Lilypad78]

Congratulations OP. I was admitted to hospital at 27 weeks with PE & had DD1 at 27+1 by emcs as she was in distress. Now 37+3 with my 2nd & am being consultant led with 3 extra growth scans as PE restricted DD1'S growth & she was tiny even for 27+1, plus consultant appointments at each scan. I've been on a low dose of aspirin since 12 weeks & have been offered the choice of a vbac or elcs. My midwife hasn't been great tbh, I've had to push for extra check ups after having a few high BP readings early on but since 26 weeks she has agreed to weekly check ups. I 2nd getting a home BP monitor, mine was £20 from boots & is the only thing that keeps me calm between check ups as I had absolutely no symptoms with DD1 until my BP was picked up by accident at an early appointment. Good luck with everything, I was really calm & fine with this pregnancy till i got to 27 weeks then I started to panic at every little twinge but I just keep thinking because they know my history they are keeping a close eye on me & although the risk of getting it again is higher it's by no means certain. I also read ( but don't know how true it is) that if you get PE again it tends to be at a later stage & less severe the 2nd time xxx

[FaFoutis]

I would second the bp monitor too. My midwife was very slapdash about taking bp, she used to get a trainee to do it.

[zebrapig]

I had it in my first pregnancy. The first sign was protein at 21 weeks, it didn't really kick in until I was 35 weeks but the midwife ignored my concerns when I said my BP was high (I'm on medication for it normally, but this was high even for me). I got admitted at 35+4 with a BP of roughly 250/150 DD was delivered the next day by EMCS and weighed 4lb15. This was despite me being high risk with 4 weekly consultant appointments.

This time round I'm 23w and all is fine so far. I'm on 4 weekly consultant appointments until 28w when they'll go to fortnightly. I'm under a different consultant this time round who is much more switched on with my pre-existing health conditions and is very no nonsense when it comes to my health. I have every faith in her and also my midwife (different one to last time. She thinks it's likely I'll get it again but I don't feel like it will be missed this time and that I'll be listened to.

[Shutupanddance1]

I had PE first time round - I'd a feeling due to the swelling that I had it for 2 weeks before my 36 week check up, was put on bed rest and had my baby via csec at 38+4 due to really high blood pressure and headaches

Just found out I'm expecting no2 so will be waiting and seeing. I'm not based in UK so under a OB all the time. Happy with my care first time round, my OB did tell me in his 40 years exp that women who get PE first time round are 60% more likely to get it second time - just his experience mind you!

[Waitingonasmile]

@Shutupanddance1 that's incredibly high. I've always been told I had a 10% chance of it happening again. Although obviously it may differ for different people/situations.

[Shutupanddance1]

I've no idea @waitingonasmile - he's the Doctor, that was the stat I was given. Anyone I've talked to with it has usually had it in subsequent pregnancies so could be some truth in it?

[RachC3]

Congratulations. I had pre-eclampsia with my first and see was induced and born at 34 weeks. I was expecting it with my second but i never got it. :)
I've just found out I'm pregnant again and I'm nervous about having it this time. I am also meant to be flying to Australia for December and I am. It sure whether it is safe to do so or not. Any advice/shared experiences would be approximated.

[Foggymist]

Yes Rach is perfectly safe to fly, just move about frequently.

[Zampa]

Like @foggymist I'm 34 weeks with DC2 after having PE in my first pregnancy. DD was born via EMCS at 33 weeks. I'm consultant led now but for other reasons than PE. Took aspirin up to 32 weeks this time.

All fine so far and keeping my fingers crossed.

Congratulations and good luck!

[HaggisMuncher]

I had PE with my son, developing it at 39 weeks rapidly and severely. I am currently sitting feeding my three week old daughter after a totally normal pregnancy and natural birth. Total opposite of my first birth; I was under consultant care but was managed throughout by midwives. My only complaint would be lack of communication between the consultant and midwives, leaving me a bit confused as to whether iwould be induced on my due date. Throughout the midwives were very reassuring that many women who have PE first time around go on to have normal subsequent pregnancies. I was at times quite uptight about the risk of developing it again but midwives were good at providing extra appointments to monitor BP etc. Good luck with your pregnancy, fingers crossed it's straight forward this time round x

[TeaPleaseBob]

Thanks everyone, hopefully I’ll start to relax a bit but think it might always be at the back of my mind.
Mine developed rapidly too which I think is what worries me the most. At the time I felt ok but BP and bloods were deteriorating quickly so was only 3 days between first high BP measurement and induction. I guess I just want to know I’ll be monitored more frequently as I had no obvious symptoms (very slight swelling now I look back at pictures of the few days leading up to it but that’s it).

I’ve been in touch with midwives who recommended starting aspirin again and confirmed I’ll be consultant led which had put my mind at ease a bit.

Good luck to everyone expecting and hope you’re enjoying the new baby cuddles Haggis.