2nd baby after Severe Preeclampsia post delivery

brownie7507

Hello All. I am looking for other experiences. We had our first child (a happy baby boy J) summer 2013. The pregnancy itself was not enjoyable ( it was one worry after another). It started with they were worried about cervix shortening (due to a previous leep procedure), then after monthly ultrasounds and we were clear for that, they found our son had an echogenic bowel on at the 20 week ultrasound. We went to MFM for monthly ultrasounds (genetic tests were negative) and thankfully that cleared up on his own by 32 weeks, then the high blood pressure came and horrible swelling. After bed rest, I was induced at 39 weeks due to the blood pressure and swelling. Labor was long and difficult, though all worth it because we had a healthy boy. I was discharged after 2 days with blood pressure medicine, but ended up in the ER that night with my bp 180/110. I was admitted due to protein in my urine and my liver enzymes were elevated (not sure if it was just severe preeclampsia, or it was also HELLP). I was put on magnesium drip for almost 48 hours, blood drawn every 12, and on blood pressure meds (which only lowered it to 150/90). I was released after 3 days and give bp meds. After about 6 weeks, my bp was put back to normal and I was off the meds. Other than being our first child, I do not have any other risk factors for preeclampsia. My bmi is normal, blood pressure is normal, I was 25, and didn’t have any of the other listed risks. While I know I am blessed this developed after our son was already born (and at full term), my husband and I are very hesitant about baby number 2. My biggest fear is the chance it happens again because of how severe it was and it occurs a lot earlier in the pregnancy.  We plan on talking to a specialist before we decide on whither to try again or not, but I was looking for other experiences. I am not finding too many boards where people developed a severe case after delivery. I apologize for the long post, but thank you for any input!

catsinawindow

I know it's not exactly the same, but I had severe PreE at 39 weeks with DS, and did not have PreE with my DD.  My BP did rise at the end of the third trimester, but never even got "high" it just stayed elevated and no protein in my urine.

Generally, the rule of thumb with PreE is that if it recurs in subsequent PG, it tends to be milder and show up later.  Now, I'm not a medical professional, but I would say that getting it after delivery would be a good sign for it not recurring (i.e. what is later than after delivery?).  I hope your MFM visit brings you answers.  I had a consult with a MFM doc when I got PG with my daughter to make sure I was "low risk" enough to be seen by MWs at a free-standing birth center.  He was very knowledgeable and encouraging about my chances of not getting it again.  Good luck!

KTZ17

To echo what PP said, my understanding is that with subsequent pregnancies if it develops again it is later onset and milder. Having the second baby with the same father reduces the risk some and your MFM could put you on baby aspirin which also may help. Maybe they would keep you in the hospital longer after birth to monitor you. I had my DD at 31 weeks due to HELLP and it took several weeks and labatelol plus procardia (are those the same? It was two different ones) for my BP to stabilize. However, my perinatologist in the hospital did not discourage us from having another baby and said what I mentioned above. Best of luck in whatever you decide!

brownie7507

Thank you ladies! They did mention baby aspirin and they said they were encouraged with the fact my liver enzymes did go back to normal. My body just never reacts well with extra hormones.

PennyLane26

Your story is almost identical to mine. 

With my first I developed post partum Pre-E 3 days after DD was born, readmitted and given mag. Unfortunately, my BP never returned to normal and I have been on meds (labetelol) ever since.

I am now 30 weeks along with #2. BP has been good on meds, they tried taking me off them recently but it shot up again and I had to start NSTs and u/s weekly just this week. I'm back on meds and hoping for an uneventful few weeks. 

Your experience may be different, but the meds have helped a lot and I have much more frequent appts with both my OB and MFM. GL!

brownie7507

Thanks for all the input! Thankfully my liver enzymes returned to normal and I was off bp meds at 6 weeks, so we can hope it was just I was a first time mom. PennyLane26 , I hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful and in 10 weeks there is a happy and  healthy mom and baby!

sagegoodenough

I had HELLP with my oldest, liver enzymes over 3300, emergency c section at 32 weeks, and prepped for a liver transplant the next day (didn't end up needing one though)

The only problems I had with my second were a slight previa that moved and he was breech. He was born at 39 weeks via c section. He has a different bio dad too so I was more likely to repeat issues. The risk drops if it's the same bio dad.

mcgeeva

Just wanted to jump in and say that you may or may not have issues the second time around. I had a placenta abruption and went into labor at 31 weeks. Was on bedrest until 36 - went for checkup and had protein and bp was 188 over I can't remember but sent to hospital for emergency c. Had megnesium as well. This pregnancy I was monitored and had 24 hour collections early on. High blood pressure on and off but ended up having a healthy pregnancy. Two weeks before my due date I started getting protein and went to the hospital but a day later my water broke. I was told by my doctors it usually will not happen the second time around unless you have multiple issues including the pre-e. Good luck