Pre-eclampsia & positive test

[Hope111]

I need advice from all ladies who have had a pregnancy after Pre eclampsia, I had pre eclampsia with my first, my son, January 2021, at 35 weeks i had it and was admitted around 36 weeks, had him at 37 weeks, I’m shocked they held me out for so long but probably was because I was so anxious and refused a c section stupidly, anyway… it got bad, really bad, I was out of it, they told me my kidneys were failing, they put me on magnesium sulphate which was probably the worst thing I’ve ever experienced in my life I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, it was awful, was induced in the end, all in all it was horrid, I can’t go into detail because I’m trying to make this post not as long as it already is. Awful awful awful. But I’ve just got a positive test and I’m terrified, absolutely petrified, will I have pre eclampsia again, won’t I, I’m just so scared, I’m just posting this for some stories, did you get it again? If so, was it as bad? Did you not? I just need some advice because I’m so scared, I already have health anxiety and I’m a wreck at the moment. But I do want the truth, scared or not…….

Hey OP. I haven’t had pre-eclampsia however I couldn’t just read your post and move on. That said, I’m currently 30+3 and have been taking aspirin throughout my whole pregnancy as I’m high risk to get it and apparently the aspirin helps prevent it. Did you take it with your first?
I also overheard a conversation with a woman and a nurse (the woman is in the same position as you) and although you’ll be high risk for developing it again, it doesn’t mean you will. They’ll just keep an eye from early on and put you on medication like aspirin to prevent it, along with extra checks. Regarding the health anxiety…I have this, I have super bad anxiety and this pregnancy is my first and has been hard for me. I’m 24/7 worried and I haven’t been able to enjoy my pregnancy due to be worrying about my baby. It’s caused massive strain on my relationship, work and my life. But somehow I’ve managed it and I’m nearly at the finish line. This site has been great for me. Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations. Hopefully someone can answer you question soon xx

Hi, I had pre eclampsia with my first.
began at about 34 weeks, had a section at 37 weeks which apparently classed as term.
Teeny 5lb baby, very healthy, breast fed straight away, home in a couple of days. All fine. Managed well if I’m honest.

Second pregnancy was a dream, thoroughly enjoyed it as I knew it was my last and it took 10 years to get there so was an amazing miracle!
However pre eclampsia came back at around 34 weeks again, I was much better prepared and I knew all would be absolutely fine.
Finished work earlier, took the medication and waited. (Was in agony with spd, feet, hands and face swelled up with fluid, breathing was affected due to swellings in my abdomen on top of baby bump) felt very unwell.

Had c section at 37 weeks again, small baby but fine and we were home in 24 hours.
We were safe, managed in a controlled manner, followed advice, asked the right questions and were absolutely fine.

I note you say you have severe health anxiety, I did not and do not so I’m not sure how helpful my experience is to you because not a great deal bothers me. I just knew in my bones that everything was going to be ok.

My sister had preeclampsia with my niece. Had to have a semi-emergency C-section at 34wks but all went well. They had time to give my niece to steroid shots overnight and she was born tiny but healthy. No NICU needed even. They monitored my sister carefully through her pregnancy with my nephew. She was on aspirin etc and didn't develop preeclampsia again. He was an elective section at just before 37wks (she has a bicornate uterus so anatomical reasons). Again, perfectly healthy baby.

I'm sorry your first pregnancy was so traumatic for you. I would highly recommend speaking to your midwife as early as possible to arrange a chat with a birth trauma midwife and to request discussion of a plan etc. Anxiety is understandable but there is no reason you should have a repeat. Wishing you all the best with this pregnancy and congratulations on your BFP. I suppose the only other thing to say is that if you are hoping for more children, you would have had to confront this at some point... It's so hard after a bad experience but there is help out there. Take whatever they offer! 💗

Thank you all for your kind words and advice I truly appreciate it, it has definitely eased my mind but admittedly I’m so up and down at the moment, I’ve spent most of the day crying just riddled with anxiety and feeling a load of self pity. Feeling like it’s unfair, I was 24 when I fell pregnant with my son 25 when I had him. Now I’m 28 soon to be 29 and around 2.5 stone heavier and the weight gain ive convinced myself alone will cause pre eclampsia to return. I’m not having many rational feelings at the minute I don’t think but I’m also putting it down to early pregnancy hormones.
@AimeeLou84 I also just wanted to say I feel for you too in terms of the anxiety, I definitely know how you feel and also was the same with my first, but as you said you’re near the finish line, and I wish you all the best :)

I had preeclampsia with my first born, he was born at 34 weeks. I’ve had three others since and haven’t had preeclampsia again. I was on aspirin from early on and did suffer high BP but it didn’t turn into anything more. I was delivered early at 37wks, 37wks and 38wks before anything else could develop.

@Hope111 Thank you! Good luck x

I had pre-eclampsia twice.

I was very fortunate, as while the first time around was mild, the second time was even milder. Both times it developed around 34 weeks. I was admitted into hospital at 36 weeks (there's a story for both as to why there was a fortnight gap, but I digress), and delivered at 37+1 and 37+6 respectively. Decent sized babies too at 7lb5 and 8lb1. I was on 75mg daily aspirin from booking appointment with my first, and 150mg from BFP with my second. I figured I was going to be told to take it anyway, so jumped the gun.

My consultant estimated I had about 16% chance of reoccurrence, so I was fairly unlucky. Hopefully it won't recur for you.

I had pre-eclampsia with dc1 and was on 75 aspirin throughout. Didn't get it with dc2 and was on 150 aspirin throughout. No idea if it was the higher aspirin that helped or not. I was also 41 for dc2.

Hi
I had it severely with my first at 32 weeks. It was traumatic and took me over 3 years to even consider having a second.

for my second I was on aspirin and clexane from 12 weeks. Had a Doppler scan of the umbilical arteries at 22 weeks. That showed issues so was on close monitoring after that with scans blood and cgt done every 2 weeks until 30 weeks and then weekly as growth stopped. Delivered at 36 weeks and all of this held it off so I didn’t actually have pre eclampsia the second time round. Although I’m in no doubt without the blood thinners and extra close monitoring it would have probably been similar to my first.

as yours was severe I’d expect you to have consultant led care and ask for lots of info on their plans to manage the risk.

Hi op, have had pre eclampsia twice previously. This time around I was on blood thinners and aspirin which I'm assuming you will be offered too, this time thankfully I didn't develop pre eclampsia so the meds likely worked. Also light exercise, eating well I definitely thinker played a part. You'll be monitored closely because of history so try not to worry.

I had eclampsia with dc1, they were blue when I was born and I ended up in ITU. It put me off for many years but had a surprise / unintended pregnancy 8 years later. I was devastated and convinced myself I was going to die second round.
I did get pre-eclampsia but I was monitored from the beginning and consultant led care. I had many more scans (didn't get anything extra with dc1) DC2 was smaller than dc1 (4lb13 oz @38 weeks) but I wasn't ill like I was first time, and was only in hospital for a week. I wouldn't be without either of them and so glad for my surprise BFP!!!!

Thank you all so much, reading all of your stories has helped me more than you’ll know, feeling a lot less stressed about it now and my anxiety has eased so much