pregnancy after pp Pre-e

Reg001

I don't post much but I have a question. Has anyone had experience with another pregnancy after having postpartum pre-eclampsia with the first.  In my last pregnancy i developed severe postpartum pre-e right after my c-section with my dd.  We eventually really want another child but I am scared to death. TIA, Regina

GuitaristsGirl

My pre- e experiemce wasn't pp, but it was severe (see siggy).  A subsequent pg can happen safely (again, see sig ), but it is anxiety-filled!  That said, I *strongly* encourage you to consult with a MFM before ttc-ing again. Have you been tested for underlying disorders?  

mmttc

I had PP pre-e and now that we're TTC#2 I'm scared it'll happen again or be even worse. Also scared of the chance of multiples with IF treatments, but not scared enough to not try. What are the tests for underlying disorders?

epphd

generally speaking, your risk goes down in a second pregnancy.  But talk to your OB about it. I  developed preE and HELLP with #1, but not until I was in labor.  The doc is watching me closely, but said I'm less likely to have it this time.  Though as GG pointed out to me, while a big risk factor is first pregnancy, another risk factor is.... previous preE.

Reg001

Thanks ladies, I really appreciate your replies.  It is so nice to know that I am not the only one that has those feelings toward pp pre-e.  My ob did not suggest any testing for underlying problems.  What kind of test would be available?  I had a very normal pregnancy until 28 weeks when I developed gestational hypertension and was placed on modified bedrest then induced at 28 weeks and 1 day due to bp.   

JillAly

I got pre-e/HELLP in my first pregnancy and it took me about 3 months pp to get back to a normal BP.  I was scared about having number 2 as well but I went forward with it. 

I had a great pregnancy until 28 weeks when protein starting turning up in my urine.  My OB knew what was coming and monitored me very closely.  The second my BP started rising to 140/90 at 33 weeks, he put me in the hospital.  I stayed there until I delivered at 36 1/2 weeks.  I never thought I would make it past 34 weeks when I was admitted to the hospital - basically he showed up every day at the hospital and said "maybe tomorrow, we'll see".  He did that for 3 weeks.  If it had progressed again, he would have delivered me at 33 weeks.  However, because he was so cautious and so closely monitoring me, it never got as bad as the first time and I had a much better (easier) delivery and recovery. 

The key to me was bedrest and no stress.  Knowing I would have a c-section and knowing what would happen (since I'd been through it before) made things so much easier.   You're not going through the unknown at that point - so there is less stress.  The hardest thing for me was being away from my 3 year old son for a month but it's amazing how relaxed you can be when you're not chasing a 3 year old around!

Good luck!