If you had pre-eclampsia when you were pregnant (or any other pregnancy condition) did you get it again in any subsequent pregnancies, or do you get a "clean slate"?

[ElfOnTheTopShelf]

I had PE when pg with my DD who is nearly three.
DH and I have been talking about trying for another, but I wondered if PE was likely in a second pregnancy?

I'm hoping I sail through pregnancy this time, I had a terrible pregnancy with DD, including the all-day-long-for-nine-months sickness.
We're probably going to wait until after hols etc as then I'll be closer to a year since I was in hospital.

Actually, the more I read about PE the scarier it sounds! It doesn't seem so scary in my mind when I think back to it, but I was looking it up on the internet and now I'm a little freaked out!!
Going to step away from Google...!

I had it in my first but not my second

I have bookmarked and will have a read.
Thanks

I wondered the same as i had PE with DD.

Step away from the Google button. Now.
Googling is Very Bad For Your Health.

I had it in both of my pregnancies,the second was more serious and earlier onset.

now expecting my third and very worried!

sophie

You have a higher chance of getting PE than a woman who did not have it in her first pg, but if you do get it again it is likely to come on later and be less severe. Your own actual risk will depend on severity and time of onset the first time round. I have severe PE which started at 29 weeks and have been given a 1 in 5 chance of getting it again. Think the average figure for all women who had PE in first pg is 1 in 20. This is all assuming you are with the same partner... if different partner then chances are higher. Good luck!

I had it (late onset, quite mild I think) in my first pregnancy. Have just had my booking in appointment for this pregnancy and the midwife said as far as she is concerned I have a 'clean slate' and am not automatically high risk.

Same partner, so hopefully that will be in my favour!
In my first pregnancy, I first had symptoms at about 30/32 weeks, and they didn't escelate any further than the blood pressure, swelling, protein stuff. I wasn't taken into hospital but was monitored more closely, signed off work, and eventually had a section, but that was more breech positioning rather than PE.

I'm confused by this too.

When I had my booking appt I was put under consultant care as I had PE during my last pregnancy, with early symptoms from about 28 weeks, dangerously high BP from about 34 weeks and induction at 37. I was also told that I had to have a hospital birth, would probably be monitored and considered high risk of getting PE again.

Now I'm 32 weeks, have never seen the consultant. Questioned this with one of the senior midwives in the community team and she looked at me in confusion and asked why I expected to see a consultant or get PE again.

This time I actually have low bp and they have agreed I can have a homebirth so must be low risk

I've got a pre-pregnancy appt with a consultant for 10th September to discuss this issue as I want to ttc dc2 but had dd at 32 weeks with pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Will let you know how I get on re risks and monitoring etc.

late onset first time, not at all 2nd or 3rd.

I'm really surprised at the people who were told that they were at no increased risk. The PRECOG guidelines recommend that any woman who has had PE in first pg is referred to a specialist in early pg to discuss obstetric care:

Offer pregnant women with the following predisposing factors for pre-eclampsia referral early in
pregnancy for specialist input to their antenatal care plan [Grade D/Good Practice Point]. The factors
indicate an underlying pathology, concomitant condition, or otherwise high level of obstetric risk
related to pre-eclampsia, which would benefit from specialist input: this may be for further specialist
investigation, for clarification of risk, or to advise on early intervention or pharmacological treatment.

Although they also say:

It is not within the remit of this guideline to prescribe specialist-led care or to exclude GP or midwife
led care. It is recognised that all women benefit from a continuity of care and need midwifery care as
part of their individual antenatal care plan, whatever their obstetric risk.

Am not trying to be pessimistic, but it is a serious illness. If I had had late onset PE I would still like a consultant's input into whether they considered me low risk for, for example, a home birth.

LaDiDa, good luck with your appt - I had a pre-conception appt too and found it really helpful and reassuring. Still terrfied of second pg though!

LAndL, thanks. It's funny, I thought that I was completely fine with what happened with dd and that only dp had issues until I had to see a patient in the maternity unit (I'm a medic) and I was tearful, upset and stressed for days. It just brought back soo many memories and feelings.

Ah yes I know that feeling well - my appt was on the same floor as the high risk antenatal ward I had been on and I had to walk past SCBU to get there. I was shaking like mad in the lift and when they took my bp for the appt it was 160/80! I had thought it would feel a bit odd going back but I pretty much fell to pieces. I went on my own but in hindsight I wish I had taken dh, as he is much stronger about it.

I didnt get PE - but it may have developed later as DS was born at 39 weeks. I had raised blood pressure from 36 weeks - used to get up to about 150/100 but then drop to a normal level again. I was also swollen (but july 2006 heat wave baby), had bad headaches and occasionally had a trace of protein.

This time around (touch wood) it has been fine - I am now 39 weeks with 120/70 blood pressure, no headches, swelling etc. Consultant more than happy with home birth.

Morning sickness however was as bad both times around lol

xxx

Waitingbloom, your symptoms sound like mine in the 4 weeks leading up to being diagnosed with PE. My BP was so erratic that my MW was starting to doubt her BP monitor. They were taking my bp 2-3 times a day.

I guessed something was really wrong when she checked my BP, left and was back at the door 5 mins later asking where my hospital bag was and asking me to wait in her car.

Got the hospital, BP was really v high, 10 mins later was normal and stayed that way for 2 hrs. She'd been rushing me in for an E C-section but it all got canned when my BP stabilised.

I had PE with my first and had emergency section at 30 weeks. Was v. ill for few weeks but made full recovery. Am now 25 weeks pregnant but my consultant started me on daily aspirin at 10 weeks to try to prevent it this time. No bad signs so far...!

It varies. I didn't get it again (have had 4) but know people who did, and even one who got it first time in her 2nd pregnancy (Dr advised her GP to ask for dna test as must be a different father! yes, she did complain and no, her DH didnt)

there's a website- pets (pre eclampsia and toxaemia society) where there is laods of info available, Dawn who runs it has all that stats and attends conferences / reads research paapers etc

I had it with ds1 and not with ds2. I remember reading that it is very unlikely with a subsequent baby from the same father, but if you conceive with a different man you are likely to get it again.

Waiting to blom- mine was similar, BP up t 165, but when PG agin I had notes reviewed by a specialist as DS1 was also IUGR (5.5lbs induced at 38.5 weeks) and I was told I had sufferd P-e, just atypcal: indeed, the fits I ahd at term which daft Obs put down to nerves were indeed eclapsia, of the full blown variant , bloody miracle ds1 and I amde it, but ds1 does have some SN now which may or may not be linked

Had PE with my first and he was born at 35 weeks.

Sailed through with the second and no hint of PE. Was soooo good he was a waterbirth baby and was fab!!

Go for it as they will monitor you more anyway.

I had it in first pregnancy, in second and third just had hypertension (aswell as other stuff but not related)