Pre-e/HELLP pre-conception appt report

BrainySmurfette

I met with my new MFM yesterday.  He's a MD/PhD who is actively researching pre-e along with training other MFMs.  He was more positive about preelampsia/HELLP--I have a one in three chance of a repeat (better than the 75% I got from another doctor).

The good news is that I don't have any of the clotting disorders, so the reason for my pre-e/HELLP is unknown (but likely genetic). I won't need Lovenox injections, but I'll be taking baby aspirin beginning at six weeks.  I get to stay on my current BP medication (Procardia XL), there isn't a need to switch.

He is unlikely to put me on bedrest at home (yay!)--if I get to that point, he'll put in me in the hospital for observation. I've been worried about that--it can go bad so quickly, and I was so afraid of being at home alone before Katie's birth. I had actually called my MIL to come stay with me.

We also discussed the anesthesia problems I had during my c-section.  He thinks I may be among a small percentage of people who metabolize anesthetic drugs much quicker than is normal.  I'll be meeting with the head of anesthesia at the beginning of my 3rd trimester for testing, etc.

General info for the other pre-e moms: He suggested that I start taking a vitamin D supplement b/c there is some data that shows an association between pre-e and vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin D should be started before pregnancy. He said NOT to take any vit C or vit E supplements b/c there is strong data showing that it is actually harmful in women at risk of pre-e.

mhop

Sounds like you had a good appointment!  That's interesting about the Vitamin D supplements, that's one I hadn't heard of yet.  I'll have to ask my MFM when I get pg.  Thanks for the info!

mrs.amandamm

Great info... I will have to think about the Vitamin D, I have a bottle of it, plus I am supposed to stay out of the sun because of past melanoma, so maybe I should start taking it again..

Ktbuss

Thanks for the information I just had my baby at 28 weeks because of the Pre-e/Hellp and i was told by one of the doctors that I should not have any more children because it onset so quickly and that the next time around it could be worse.

TriciaJoy

that's really interesting info.

Do you mind questions?
If you're planning (expecting) hospital bedrest, what are your plans for your current LO?
That's one of my fears with a 2nd pregnancy- what are we going to do with Robbie if I'm in the hospital or even home on bedrest?

If you're not supposed to take vit c/e, what about your prenatals?

BrainySmurfette

TriciaJoy:

If you're planning (expecting) hospital bedrest, what are your plans for your current LO?
That's one of my fears with a 2nd pregnancy- what are we going to do with Robbie if I'm in the hospital or even home on bedrest?

I'll most likely ask my MIL to stay with us and take care of Katie.  She's retired and loves to come visit us/Katie.  Back-up plan is my SIL's DH is a SAHD, and they have offered to watch Katie.  My SIL had HELLP twice, so she and her DH get the whole deal.

Also, I took out a short term disability insurance policy that will pay about 70% of my take-home pay if I'm unable to work before delivery.  It will pay for 6-8 weeks after, too.

TriciaJoy:

If you're not supposed to take vit c/e, what about your prenatals?

He said that the amount of vit c/e in regular prenatals is fine, but not to take any additional c/e beyond what is in the regular vitamin.  Also, he warned me that there are some articles on the web that say that taking extra c/e might help, but that this is not valid information because when several actual studies were done, the extra c/e was definitively harmful.

TriciaJoy

Thanks for sharing!

I'm hoping my MIL would do the same...

And definitely making note of the vitamin thing.

 

mek10976

I'm glad your appointment was an optimistic one!  And I appreciate the info about the vitamin supplements.  My gastroenterologist sent me the results fo a blood test and wrote a note saying I needed more vitamin D.  She said I needed more D at an appointment when I was barely preggo, but didn't want to give me anything b/c I was preggo.  Perhaps the puzzle pieces are coming together.  THANKS!

sweetpea18

That's interesting about the vitamin d.  I'll have to remember that for the next time.  and yea for no lovenox injections.  I have some left over from my pregnancy and I still cringe whenever I see the box! 

SuwaneeGirl

I have seen another Bumpie mention the clotting disorders. I'm assuming that they are a risk factor or co-morbid to pre-eclampsia? What exactly are they and why are they a problem? Can you tell me anything about this?

kim1730

this is great to know. thanks so much for sharing! i am terrified of getting pre-e again