Pregnancy after preeclampsia in first?

[TheGrinchWearsStripes]

Hello!
I just wanted to know if anyone had experience of a pregnancy after having had preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome with their first? I developed both at about 29 weeks and had my DS by c-section at 31 weeks as my bp was through the roof and my platelet count was dropping by the hour. It was all pretty horrendous, and DS was in NICU for a month (i was in for 8 days). We were incredibly lucky in that he recovered quickly, has never been re admitted, and is developmentally at real age now at 22 months (i.e tearing the house down!!). I took a bit longer to recover but have been off bp medication for over a year.
So we feel recovered enough to think about a second now, but I guess naturally, we are a bit apprehensive. So has anyone any advice/experiences to share? Were you monitored earlier and/or more? Did you go to term? How did you manage anxiety levels, both for you and for your DP?
I would really appreciate any thoughts.

Hi, my two are 15 and 13 now, so my experience is many, many moons ago!
I had pre-eclampsia with my first, at 38 weeks.Induction, forceps delivery, on meds for 6 months.
Dd was born 20 months later at home, tens machine only and a very different experience.
I was monitored throughout and had some sort of scan at 20 weeks that assessed my risk of P-E (and came put low) but I'm not sure if that was a research project or not...
I remember getting stinking headaches midway throughmy pregnancy and having a major panic. I phoned a helpline I think for the pre-eclampsia society (this in the olden days before broadband) and they really reassured me.
Lots of luck!
(I think if you have it once you are less likely too again unless it's a different father, but that might be my addled memory)

Thank you so much for the prompt response, gosh ! It's good to hear that it is possible to have a much better experience the second time.
It is usually the case that P-E is less likely second time round, but unfortunately, HELLP syndrome actually means that my chances of getting it again are higher

Anyone else?

Hello, I had PE in my first pregnancy-it was very mild though in that my BP was creeping up and my 24hr urine collection showed over the limit for amount of protein. I was induced at 38+6. Currently 38+4 with my second and have been medicated for high BP since 11 weeks- BP we'll controlled though at the min and currently so far, so good.

I had pre eclampsia with ds1 from around 35 weeks. Induced at 39 weeks after lots of monitoring and some overnight stays due to rapidly dropping platelet count. Currently 40+2 with ds2 and so far so good. I don't want to tempt fate but it seems I have avoided it this time. Fingers crossed it will be the same for you.

I had PE with my first pregnancy, was admitted at 36 week and induced at 37 weeks.

In my second pregnancy I did have PE again, but not until almost 39 weeks, I was induced again, but it wasn't nearly as bad the second time round.

Thank you so much for all your encouraging replies. Sounds like it may not happen (best case scenario of course!) and if there was any threat, they would jump on it straight away.
If course, all this is purely academic as of yet!

I was given aspirin during my second pregnancy too, I'm sure that was something to do with reducing the risk of it occurring again!

Hello OP. I had what turned out to be obstetric cholestasis with DC1. It went undiagnosed until 38 weeks, at which point my liver and kidneys started packing up. I was induced the day it was diagnosed, and all my functions returned to normal fairly quickly. (Though as the medics had no idea what was going on, I went through a shitload of tests!).DC1 was absolutely fine.

Fast forward 2.5 years and I was pregnant with DC2. This time I was being monitored to the Nth degree - weekly blood tests and all sorts. (As at that stage they still had no clue what had been wrong before - they thought HELLP). Lo and behold, everything starts conking out at 37 weeks, so I was induced again - as I was physically much more well, I felt less like I'd been hit by a pantechnicon! DC2 again fine. It was then that they really examined my test results and concluded it was OC.

So not as serious as your situation. But second time round was definitely better. However, I know how dreadful HELLP is and how much of a risk you run in subsequent pregnancies. Good luck with whatever you decide. (If it's any consolation, I was born 8 weeks pre-term in the early 1970s due to my mum's pre-eclampsia - and I'm hale and hearty!)

Aspirin has indeed been mentioned already!
fish that sounds quite scary though, not knowing what was wrong and then things starting to pack up. That's close monitoring in the second pregnancy! It really helps to know they monitored that closely though. They were already talking about a second pregnancy at the debrief, which is one reason why we think it's ok to try again - doesn't seem to bother the consultants too much.
And I love the prem further-down-the-line stories so thank you for that too.

I had PE with #1. Dd1 had IUGR. Weighed in at 4lb. She is now right on target at 10yrs old.

I was given low dose aspirin too.

It didn't reoccur, but I have to be honest & say that I spent the entire 2nd pregnancy worried that it would.

I was monitored more often, my care was all consultant lead, with only seeing a midwife once at the beginning. I was monitored more often, giving growth scans etc.

I was told by the hospital & my dr that if I felt ill or worried, I was to call & tell them I was going in & why, not to ask for an appointment.

I did have a scare a week or so before having dd2. My bp was high, but not as high as it was with dd1. I was at my booking in appt. They took it three times, last one showed it had reduced.

I was sent to dr next day to check it, still high. He sent me into hospital & they monitored me for several hours. Sent home as bp reduced.

I made it to my elective section date with no further drama & dd2 didn't have any issues at all.

I had severe PE (and several other problems) and delivered DD1 at 32 weeks. She weighed 3Ibs 10 and was in SCBU for 5 weeks. It was pretty horrendous but thankfully she doesn't have many problems 2 years on. My BP dropped fairly quickly after birth and I didn't need medication a month later.

I'm currently 26 weeks with DD2. The pregnancy has been VERY carefully monitored. I'm having weekly BP and urine checks with a midwife and all my antenatal appointments are with a consultant. I'm also having 4 weekly scans and I've been on medication for BP since 16 weeks - firstly asprin and then labeterol.

I feel very well looked after which I really didn't first time around. So far I'm doing well although I did have a scare at 23 weeks where my BP shot up suddenly and I had a trace of protein in my urine. I spent the whole day in hospital being monitored but it turned out I was just getting a cold and a UTI.

The only thing I'm struggling with is my anxiety. I'm so worried this time around and if I'm honest DH and I spend most of our time waiting for something to go wrong. I try to take comfort in my beautiful DD and that I'm receiving excellent care this time around. If the worst should happen it will be spotted very quickly.

Wishing you all the best for the future. xx

I had pe with elements if hellp syndrome with my first so induced 39 weeks. DS2 now 5 weeks and nothing with him. Given low dose aspirin and lots of monitoring but no problems. Good luck!

different and golden it is probably the anxiety that worries me most (oh the irony). I worried enough in the first pregnancy without having a prior history! Also an really worried that FIL will make things worse - he was pretty bloody awful first time round, particularly as I am an older mum so he was insistent for the whole first trimester there would be something wrong with the baby. Not conducive to good sleep. Then when BG was born he insisted he would be "backward" (great word to be used by someone who spent their career in psychological services). He's run out of dire predictions now! But we will try not to tell him till after the 12 week scan , leaving the only worry on that front how on earth we explain my not drinking!
different and bunky so wonderful to hear that your dc are well - bunky enjoy those newborn cuddles. golden all the very best for the rest if your pregnancy. I hope you manage to enjoy it and the anxiety gives you a break.

Hiya, another one here. I had PE and HELLP at 31 weeks with DS. Came on very suddenly and he was born by section a few days later, 5 weeks on NICU/SCBU. All fine now as he was relatively straightforward for a prem and seemingly no ill effects of being born early. He's now 2 years old and full of beans!

I'm now 22 weeks preg with no 2 and have been very carefully monitored already. Been on low dose aspirin almost from the start and am going in for lots of extra scans/consultant appointments. Saw midwife for booking in but that's it so far. We went to see an obstetric consultant about a year ago to discuss what happened the first time round and discuss whether we should risk it again. She was very laid back about it all! She drew up a plan of what should happen if I got pregnant again so that's been very useful to show to other docs/midwives to make sure I'm getting the right care. I am technically under the same consultants care this time but haven't actually seen her yet! We took confidence from her and went for it.

However, we have seen some less senior doctors since I've been pregnant who have found it hard to hide their concerns for me so that's been a bit worrying! I'm trying to stay positive because I'm being seen so much that any problems won't be missed, scans will pick up a slow in growth even if I don't get PE symptoms immediately.

I got the pre pregnancy appointment with the consultant by going to my GP and asking to be referred. Laid it on thick to them that we were worried about having any more kids and wanted to know the risk. It was all such a blurr at the time that I wanted to discuss it properly with an expert, not just the GP.

All is ok so far so fingers crossed. Best of luck with your next baby! X

Errrr that sounds so similar to my experience. I take it everything is going ok this time? It's always amusing (in a weird way) that one never sees one's named consultant - I was the same last time. Was supposed to be mixed care, but really the midwife did it all, and thank goodness I had a bloody fab one - she spotted that things weren't right instantly, even though the GP had dismissed my symptoms as anxiety!!

Scary hey. Fortunately my GP was very good but I guess it was hard to ignore BP of 170/100 and trace of protein! Sent me straight off to labour ward and I didn't get home again for 3 weeks! Yes, all seems fine at the moment, the only raised BP reading I've had was after my first scan. Sitting in a hospital brought all the memories back so I'm blaming that cause it's been fine since. Everything crossed for uncomplicated pregnancies all round!

Fingers crossed indeed! (My GP ignored proteinuria of 4++ ) Really sounds like that raised reading was stress related.
Would you have any advice on what I should demand in early pregnancy?!

Eeeek 4++ is high!!

Try and get a referral like we did. Then an expert can draw up a plan of care. It sounds like low dose aspirin starting as early in preg as possible is a key factor. I can't see it being a problem given how early you had your first. If you can't get that through the GP then get in touch with Action on Pre eclampsia cause I think they provide appointments with specialists to discuss future pregnancies. good luck!

Thank you for the tip on Action on Preeclampsia. That's brilliant!

I havent had Pre-E or HELLP, but just wanted to share that 2 of my closest friends had (one who delieverd by CS at 32 wks, the other at 36) and both went on to have fantastic pregnancies AND VBACs on their 2nd.. it does seem much more common on first pregnancies than second- so you might be lucky!

Another good news story here! Admitted at 32 weeks with ds1 with a "whopping amount of protein" according to registrar. Cs at 34+5 - weighing 4lb 3 and 10 days in special care. He is now tall and where he should be if not above. Dd1 I did home monitoring and had extra scans etc - vbac at 39 weeks. Ds2 had some extra monitoring and got sent to hospital just before 39 weeks. Was induced because of blood pressure and previous history. That was actually my best birth!
Impossible to say what will happen to you, but I have always felt that the doctors and midwives took excellent care of us, and you get special treatment because you are high risk!
I found the worst thing was going to the hypertension clinic all the time, especially as I would worry sat there for ages then of course my bp reading was high!
Good luck!

Thank you chicamomma and good to hear about the VBACs too! This is my dream...

One of them took Evening Primrose oil throughout her second pregnancy by the way, google it, seems to help... If you're into the alternative side of things!

The other one went to a legendary pregnancy reflexologist weekly from 28 weeks (who claims to be able to do all sorts of great stuff with infertility, pregnancy, and pre E, i'm going to her and she claims she will be able to efface my cervix at my due date- bring it on!!) but she's in Dublin so not much use to you- unless you can get a recommendation of somebody similar in your area! Alternative remedies may not be your thing though, generally pepeopl are either into it or they're not i find!

Cross post! Wow, moomaloo - two good pregnancies after the first! I have to say that a deciding factor in us thinking we would try again was that other than the shit gp, the care was absolutely brilliant - midwives and consultants alike. So if the consultants are the same, I would feel in safe hands.
Longterm care for having a prem is another story, but we won't go there - especially as like you, I now have a giant who won't stop growing!