Scared about preeclampsia re-occuring in 2nd pregnancy....

[ToniLou84]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice - we are trying for our 2nd child and I am scared about preeclampsia re-occuring again. I had preeclampsia with my first child which ended in a emergency c section at 33 weeks, my daughter was only 3lb7oz and spend some time in ICU. It came on all of a sudden, however I was being monitored by my midwife as protein was found in my urine from 27 weeks.

I was wondering if anyone had experienced similar and went on to have more children....whether suffering from preeclampsia again or not.

Thanks :) x

Hi,

I had bad pre-eclampsia with my DS - he was born by emergency CS at 35 weeks weighing 4 Ibs 7oz, and 2 years later I had my DD, born at 32 weeks which was planned again by CS weighing 3Ibs 5oz.
The doctors were brilliant with my second as they were expecting it. I had daily scans from about 33 weeks and when growth started to slow down they just whipped her out. She did spend some time in the SCBU, but had all the steroids before she was born so thankfully was fine.
I have since been sterilised though as they have told me that because my pre-eclampsia gets worse with every pregnancy, a third may not be a good idea. Don't think I could do with 3 though!!

I am happy that you have 2 healthy children - its such a scary condition.
We have only just started to try, so we are going to see the dr to see what advice they can give us.

Thank you for sharing your story with me :) x

my friend had PE and her first baby was born at 27 weeks by emergency section. she was very poorly but now there's no stopping her (she's nearly 2) She also developed it with her 2nd baby and she was 35 week pg when she had another Emergency section and baby was born healthy :)

Thanks for that info - my daughter is 16 months, she's small but very forward in every way lol :)

I am the same, i would love a second child, but like you had terrible pre-eclampsia with my DS who was born at 37wks weighing 4lb 10oz, i don't think mine started until around 34weeks but even so i am terrified of it happening again, i've heard somewhere its likely to develop later and less severe if you get it again, not sure this is true, but i'd like to think so. :)

My DS is a healthy happy 2yr old now too, slightly smaller than others his age but rather cheeky and very clever :D

Unfortunately it's the man that gives you pre-eclampsia, which is why they ask if this pregnancy is with the same partner as before. It means that if you've had it as a couple before you are at higher risk subsequent times.

Something occured to me this weekend, though, I have just been told I have a notch in both uterine arteries (the blood is flowing backwards, ie towards my heart, during a beat) and I've been told there is a risk of IUGR and high BP so I guess it would be possible if your PreE was caused by that to not have a problem a second time... Unless they were regularly doing Dopplers (not that thing the CMW uses) though you wouldn't necessarily know and if they found protein then it wasn't from a notch

It seems that your 2 yr old, is similar to our daughter - slightly smaller but clever and cheeky lol :)

I am planning on seeing the dr this week - if I find any info I will pass it onto you. I am so scared but know that we want a bigger family. I just don't want another prem baby, it was such a scary time for me, my partner and our families :(

Good luck to you and your partner - fingers crossed for a more enjoyable 3rd trimester next time :) x

Thanks Toni, do come back and let us (me) know what advice if any you get on it, or in fact message me! :)

Will do hun :) x

My youngest had IUGR because of a notch and delivered at 35 weeks, I never developed high blood pressure though. She is wearing 9-12 month clothes at 27 months, only started independent walking just before her second birthday and has hypermobility, hypotonia and poor circulation - wating to be tested for Raynaud's - because of it. She has her first physio appointment in the morning.

She freaks people out because they think she's younger but she does things that are age appropriate even people close to her get freaked out because she doesn't look like she should be able to.

My eldest was 31 weeks and there's such a big difference between the two! The 31 weeker came feet first and hit the ground running, she's not stopped lol

My daughter is 16 months now and is walking and talking like nothing on earth lol. She is in 9-12 month clothes and like you say because she is so small people think she is a 6 month old that walks and talks lol.

Thanks for sharing your story with me :) xx

It seems the general consensus is that if you've had it once - you're very likey to get it again.

Scary! :(

I am a bit confused too about the chances of getting pre eclampsia in subsequent pregnancies. I had it in my first but was 'lucky' in that I was at 40 w so so being induced obviously wasn't as stressful as it would be weeks pre term. however now in my second pregnancy and was referred to a consultant on the basis I had it before. she told me if you are pregnant with the same partner your chances of getting it are reduced. if you are pregnant with a different partner your chances of getting it are the same for a first pregnancy.....
but saying that i have bp monitor at home and am keeping a close eye on it

I had (late onset) PE in my first pregnancy, was ambulanced into hospital with dangerous BP levels, blurred vision etc at 40 weeks. But went into natural labour within 24 hours and had epidural and beta blockers to control BP in labour.

Second pregnancy I had consultant led care at the beginning, was then shifted to midwife led as all was going well, had checkups every 2 weeks throughout pregnancy and delivered naturally at 39 weeks with no recurrence of PE.

Third pregnancy, just into third trimester, and still (touch wood) no PE. Am now on normal appointment system.

So not always something that happens again.

FWIW I was told I was higher than normal PE risk with my 2nd pg, but that it was still unlikely.

I had PE in my second full term pregnancy but not in my third.

I also had it with my first and my dd was born at 36 weeks weighing 4lb 5oz. She is now 18 months old and although still small (just growing out of 9-12 month clothes) she is very clever and sounds like a previous posters little one. She makes up for her size with her attitude haha :)

I am now 16 weeks pregnant with my second and have spoken to my midwife about my concerns about getting it again. She said that it is unlikely I will get as it seems to be something you get in first pregnancies. If I were pregnant with another partner I would have a higher chance of getting it again but as it is with the same partner it would be very unlikely. However, reading the replies here that doesn't seem to be what others were told so now I'm getting a bit worried!!

I had PE with DS1, who was born at 29+4, in SBCU for 10 weeks and some slight ongoing issues with fine and gross motor skills, but otherwise completely fine and v bright. With DS2 I was monitored v closely, scans every 2 weeks by the end but v good pregnancy and he was 39+3 - such a difference.

I did a lot of research before getting pregnant for the second time and would really recommend www.apec.org.uk and bliss for further reading. From what I remember chances of PE are reduced as long as you have second baby with same partner within 5 years. I think the chances of PE recurring are dependent on what point you got PE the first time round and were about 50:50 for me. I had a really positive experience with DS2 but it would have been different even if I had PE again as I would have been better prepared for it - had hospital bag packed from 25 weeks onwards!

If you're thinking about it I think you can ask for a pre-conception appointment with a consultant to talk through your previous experience, which is something I would do if contemplating getting pregnant again (which I'm definitely not!)

Thanks everyone, I cannot thank you all enough for sharing your stories for me - such a mixed bag lol.

We are off to see the dr today to discuss what may or may not happen - I think we may get reffered to a consultant.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that when I do concieve I will have a normal pregnancy, but will be prepraed for PE to re-appear.

:)

Been to visit the dr today and was told that although they can't promise it will happen again, the likelyhood is that it won't as it is mostly a problem with 1st pregnancies.

I am now feeling better and happier about trying for another and really do hope that I can have a enjoyable pregnancy and labour the next time.

I would love to keep hearing your stories and advice though, so keep em coming :)

I think it is brill that you have your doctors support and at least they know you have had it once before so will be looking out for it. I am sure you will have a much easier pregnancy and a 'normal' (whatever that is!!) delivery. TTC so exciting!! Best of luck.

Thanks - I am much more relaxed and comfortable about it all now :)

Hello, I just read this thread and although it's years old now but I thought to ask how it went with your second pregnancies. Did you develop PE? I'm pregnant with my second child and had PE with my first. Have any if you taken asprin to prevent PE or been recommended it?