Pre-eclampsia

[Chelle]

When expecting ds (in 1999) my blood pressure went through the roof at 32 weeks, was bedridden at 34 weeks, hospitalised at 35 weeks and ds was induced at 36.5 weeks. I am now pg again and have passed the magical 32 weeks with normal (low) blood pressure last week. I am now finding that my blood pressure is going up again. It is still in the realms of "normal" but is high for the pg me.

Have any of you had experience with pre-eclampsia, particularly in more than one pregnancy? I was desperately hoping to manage to make it to term this time and while the dr doesn't think my current blood pressure is cause for manning the panic stations just yet, it is on the way up and, try as I might to avoid it, the panic is starting to creep up on me....which also can't help the blood pressure situation!

Thank you in advance,

Chelle

Chelle - My SIL had pre-eclampsia with her first child. It come on in the very late stages of her pregnancy and she went into natural labour before she could be induced. Everything was fine for the birth, but SIL then went into full toxic shock and things were a bit hairy for awhile.

She debated for years afterwards as to having another child and spoke to many doctors, who had very varied opinions. Finally she was advised that pre-eclampsia was very rare in 2nd + further pregnancies (assuming with same partner) since it is apparently caused by some sort of initial incompatability with your partners genetics.

She went ahead and had a similar experience to yourself with regards to rising BP & was hospitalised once or twice - BP seemed to come down instantly when she was in what she felt was a 'safe place'. GP said it was all panic and to take relaxation classes. She did & BP came down & stayed down for rest of pregnancy which actually went 3 days over term. She sailed through labour and had no problems at all.

HTH. Best Wishes

Well I had pre-eclampsia at 27 weeks first time around, and combined with HELPP (sp?) syndrone I was quite sick for a while. But I look at my 3 yr old (well in 2 weeks she'll be three) and see a perfect, if small, 3 yr old. She was only 1lb 12oz at birth. Like you I paniced throughout my second pg, and assumed the worst. However I managed to get to term (on my due date) when my waters were leaking and I went in to hospital. My bp went up to something over 100, so i had to be sectioned (since I hadn't gone into full blown labour and I'd been sectioned first time anyway).

Well what I mean to say (aside from the the waffle) is that look at your first, does the 3.5 weeks really matter? These days dr's say once you get to 36 weeks they are as good as term anyway (just need to grow a bit). So if you have to have this one early it really doesn't matter as you know the outcome will be fine. the last weeks don't really matter for the baby.

PS I've noticed you are worried as you are only just beyond the 32 weeks, still please don't worry, i am sure you'll both be fine.

Thank you so very much for your messages. I know I need to try and stay calm but it is hard.

Crunchie, I know you're right, ds is perfect (if a little on the small side), he is healthy, bright and very active so I know it will be OK if the baby is induced early again....I just need to keep my legs crossed (so to speak) until at least 36 weeks!!!

I will keep you all informed of how things are progressing this time around!

Chelle, best of luck.
I was hospitalised with preeclampsia for most of the last two weeks of my first pregnancy .
No problem whatsoever with 2nd or 3rd pregnancies.
Good luck!

Chelle, a friend had pre-eclampsia in both pregnancies, better managed second time round because they were monitoring her carefully. Both labours went fine and both children, despite being born at 36 and 38 weeks, were bonny and bouncing from day one. The 36 weeker at nearly 3 is the tallest and feistiest toddler I know.
Hope all goes similarly well for you.

OK, been to the GP, blood pressure is still up (but not dangersously) but no protein in the urine or odoema, so they figure my blood pressure is up because I am stressing about my blood pressure going up! Catch 22!!!

They're (gp and obs) giving me 2 weeks (I'll be 34.5 weeks pg) then if BP is not moving in the right direction (or is continuing in the wrong direstion) I have to go onto medication and bed rest. This is good news, I think!

Chelle, just noticed this thread. I had pre-eclampsia with my first child, at 10 days before due date. Second pregnancy not affected at all, apart from my anxiety sending readings up! Luckily my GP was understanding. I remember being told it was unlikely to happen a second time, as first pregnancies are most at risk. Good luck.