Risk Of Pre - Eclampsia. Preparations.

Kendrajos · October 2017

I am sure that I am not the only momma in here with who has had Pre - Eclampsia or might be at risk of developing it this pregnancy. I wanted to see how my fellow mommas are preparing!

Today I had my second OB appointment, first with my normal OB. Pre - Eclampsia was a big topic since I developed it when I was pregnant with my son.

At 12 weeks I will start a low dose daily aspirin regiment.

Today I had extra labs drawn to check how well my kidneys function.

Tomorrow I start the lovely pee in a jug test, only 24 hours to check how much protein is in my urine when I am healthy, it's different for everyone and could potentially help diagnose an issue earlier that what I experience last time.

I really hope my fellow at risk for pre eclampsia mom's are handling everything well and am looking forward to reducing my risks and preparing with you all! Good Luck!

lincbeesmom · October 2017

Oh dang. I didn’t realize I was supposed to be doing anything. I let my OB know that I was induced due to pre-preeclampsia (don’t know if that’s a thing but my case was mild). She just said we’d watch it once I was further along.

Kendrajos · October 2017

@lincbeesmom yup pre-eclampsia is a thing. You are a higher risk of getting it again if you had it before. There are other risk factors as well. My last OB ignored my symptoms. Though I was a lucky one and it was pretty slow progressing until I had to be induced. That's not always the case. There was a mommy in my old birth group that had to have her baby at 28 weeks. It can be really bad for some.

abbykm7 · October 2017

I had I had it with my first and my OBs said to start the aspirin 81mg now (first trimester) but I just feel better waiting until 13 weeks I don't know why.

BlackAndGold09 · October 2017

I had it with my first and it came on very late (between 34-36w). I had to do my baseline pee collection early on in my last pregnancy and nothing else! While I did have frequent headaches at the end of pregnancy, it wasn't pre-e. Fingers crossed it stays away again this time, and for everyone else too

Kendrajos · October 2017

@abbykm7 I asked my doc about that too cuz all of the studies i read mentioned 12 weeks as a rough starting point. I think it's safer to avoid possible side effects till after the first trimester. But I might be wrong. Though if you have high BP now, maybe that's why she wants you to take it now?

Kendrajos · October 2017

@BlackAndGold09 yay!!! I am glad you didn't end up with Pre-E your last pregnancy! I hope you don't get it this one either!

dinonugget · October 2017

I had it with my last pregnancy but it didn’t develop until 38 weeks, although my blood pressure went up several times during the pregnancy and I had to go to l&d for monitoring. My OB doesn’t want to start anything this early since mine developed so late but did say as I get farther along I have some extra blood tests to monitor my levels.

suchaglencoco · October 2017

I developed pre-e pretty quickly at 35 weeks. I was being monitored twice weekly due to high risk from twin pregnancy and it came on basic overnight. This pre, I've only met with my RE so it'll be interesting to see if my OB brings it up or if it's less of a concern because I only have one this time.
I am on daily low dose aspirin when not pregnant due to a MTHFR mutation and I've continued it throughout this pregnancy and my last with no issue.

fraufarbissina · October 2017

I had mild pre-e starting at 36 weeks last time. I think my doctor was overly cautious about it so I'm interested to see what my midwife has to say about it this time. I don't have an appointment until 10/24 but will check in after that.

ninja_and_roo · October 2017

I had pre-e with my first undiagnosed until I switched doctors at 38 weeks and he sent me to be induced that day. Second pregnancy was fine and was never told to do anything different. I'm now on my third and new doctor wants me to take low dose aspirin which I have refused to take thus far (10w6d). I will be doing more research on this topic before possibly starting it sometime in second tri.

thunderberry · October 2017

Jumping in where I don't belong to comment on the low dose aspirin in the first trimester issue - obviously it's a very personal decision, but I've been on it the whole first trimester at the direction of my RE. It is thought to reduce the chance of miscarriage. It is considered to be safe for the baby at a low dose like that.

firefliesandfjords · October 2017

I had severe pre-ecclampsia resulting in a 27 week delivery with my first. It came back post-partum. With my second, I started developing mild pre-ecclampsia, so we delivered late 36, early 37 weeks via. It went full blown severe post-partum. With my second, doc had me start low dose aspirin the minute my test was positive. I have done the same with this pregnancy. I don't think I would have made it as far as I did with my second if it wasn't for the aspirin.

knw007 · October 2017

My doctor wanted to start me on a low dose aspirin. I am reluctant because I dont think she remembers that I also had a problem with my platelets stop plating for about a month. I ended up being induced at 37 weeks and had Pre-E when I was 35 weeks. I might wait until my next appointment to really talk to her about my history which she probably should have read on before telling me to take it.

Jlr025 · October 2017

I had late onset pre-e with my son. I was induced at 38 weeks because of it. I saw my OB today and she wants me to start the baby aspirin at 16 weeks. I got my jug today too so I'll do the 24 hour catch starting tomorrow.

Kendrajos · October 2017

@Jlr025 pee in the jug test!

I am glad to see that I am not the only one having to pee in a jug.

Kendrajos · October 2017

I do really hope we all skip out on pre-eclampsia this time around.

fraufarbissina · December 2017

I'm bringing this thread back to life because I just had my first appointment with the MFM today. She recommends that I start taking baby aspirin but I'm on the fence about it. I don't have any high risk factors for pre e other than the fact that I had it last time. Even then I only had protein in my urine, no BP issues. But according to her, baby aspirin is only effective if you start taking it before 16 weeks which I will be on Saturday so it doesn't give me much time to decide! I know a few of you were in the same position a while back so I'm curious to see how you're all doing.

desertdweller21 · December 2017

I'm taking it. I took it in my first trimester per my RE until I was directed to take Lovenox injections instead (neither related to pre-eclampsia risk). I stopped injections at about 12 weeks and started taking aspirin again around 14 weeks (this time because I have high blood pressure - FTM). When I researched it I couldn't find anything I should be concerned about. Can I ask why some of you are hesitant? I'm wondering what I must have overlooked. My blood pressure is now more or less at a normal level, but I'm not sure if that's why.

My coworker had pre-eclampsia at the end of her first pregnancy and was not treated for it during her second. She ended up requiring an emergency c-section 2 months early. The thought of that terrifies me!

Edited for clarity.

fraufarbissina · December 2017

I have no legitimate reason to not take it. I've just always been the kind of person who doesn't like taking medicine. In fact everything I've heard or read says it's completely safe while pregnant. Stories like your coworker's scare me but I also hear about people who weren't treated the second time and were fine. There are just so many unknowns about pre e. I'd hate for something to happen though and then have to live with the fact that I didn't do everything I could to prevent it. Maybe I just convinced myself to start taking it?

sandbar517 · December 2017

I'm technically lurking here since I've never had pre-e, but in my opinion, the risks of getting pre-e again (even if the chances of it happening are low) SO outweigh the risks of taking aspirin, that it would be a non-issue with me. There is almost no chance of anything bad happening to you or the baby by taking aspirin, but a whole lot of really bad things could happen if you don't. Obviously, the choice is ultimately yours, but I agree with @desertdweller21 that it's not a risk I would personally be willing to take.

suchaglencoco · December 2017

@fraufarbissina, I think you will always wonder if it would have helped if you happen to have pre-e again.
I agree that the risks are way too great here.
I am still on my baby aspirin and like 2 other meds specific for pregnancy for my blood mutation along with my pregnantal. I hate having a drug store of meds lined up to take in the morning, but it is what is best for me and bean.

fraufarbissina · December 2017

You all have excellent points. Will send husband out to get some tonight!

zizzabell523 · December 2017

I had borderline pre-e with my first. I got induced 1 day before my due date. Protein levels were slightly elevated, swollen ankles, and blood pressure was right on the line. This time, my Dr has put me on low dose aspirin and I even got my own bp monitor to keep a check on it at home. So far, so good.

ninja_and_roo · December 2017

I had pre-e with my first daughter and was induced at 38 weeks (High bp, high liver enzymes, swelling).. Second daughter my pregnancy was uneventful and I was induced the day before due date simply because she was big. I was told that since they had the same father the chance of my body having similar complications was very small because my body was now aware of his dna. Sounded weird to me, still does, but in my situation proved true. Now I’m on my third and he has a different father than my girls, but I still declined the aspirin that my doctor insisted I take. After doing my own research I didn’t find it necessary. I’m also stubborn and take medication only on the rare occasion I may not live without it. So no I’m not taking it, but I also don’t think it would hurt anything.

roomsu · December 2017

My doctor suggested I start taking it at 12 weeks. I had 1 high blood pressure measurement. It seemed awfully quick to put me on it, but she said it won’t hurt and it’s definitely worth it. I started it and my bp has been lower since. Not sure if it’s affecting it, but I’m happy for the lower #s.

fraufarbissina · December 2017

@ninja_and_roo I've read things about pre e maybe being like an autoimmune disease - your body doesn't recognize the placenta so it starts to reject it. So I can see how the father's DNA thing makes sense. I'm with you on not wanting to take medicine unless absolutely necessary and I left my appointment thinking I wouldn't take the aspirin. But after reading about how safe it is I feel like it's totally worth it. I've also spent so much time today worrying about what's the right thing to do so I think being overly precautious will put my mind at ease.

I hope everyone continues to have good results!

doubleblessings1124 · December 2017

FTM so can't comment about preeclampsia but I've been taking a low dose aspirin since the beginning of my pregnancy per IVF. My OB recommended to continue with it for the remainder of my pregnancy due to the research mentioned. No history of hypertension. But I completely trust my doctor and the medical data.

abbykm7 · December 2017

I’ve been taking my aspirin for several weeks now. I’m on 5 other meds for my HG so adding one more wasn’t really a big deal.
ETA: I will do ANYTHING to reduce the chance of having a premie. But I work in OB and know too much.

doubleblessings1124 · December 2017

@abbykm7 same about knowing too much but NICU!

Kendrajos · December 2017

The research I was able to do about low dose aspirin has eased my mind, I started looking into it before my first OB appointment. What I learned was that there aren't any risks to worry about and that it can lower your risk of getting pre eclampsia by around 60% so well worth it. Also my understanding of pre eclampsia is that it actually has to do with your child's DNA. It's the child's DNA that forms the placenta and that's why if you've had pre eclampsia once, you are high risk of developing it again in subsequent pregnancies especially if your children share a father. My pre eclampsia hit me late, however in my birth group from Aug 2011(son's pregnancy) there was a mom I made friends with who's pre eclampsia set in right after 20 weeks, her doctor ignored the symptoms and both she and baby nearly died. She delivered at 28weeks. a couple yrs later(before studies on aspirin) she had another child, she got pre eclampsia a second time and delivered around 30-32 weeks if I remember correctly. The risks are far too great to take chances with in my opinion. Pre eclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome are major factors in the maternal mortality rate in the US. I have read studies that suggest this is the lack of knowledge of the symptoms here in the US.

Kendrajos · December 2017

On a happier note, I started taking 81mg of aspirin exactly at 12 weeks as per my OBs suggestion and what research suggests. My BP before pregnancy was 102/70. So really good. After pregnancy but before 12 weeks it was around 120/90. Yet at my last appointment on Dec. 5th, 17.5weeks, it was back down to 100/60. Yes I keep a very close eye on my bp. That along with intense swelling were the first 2 signs I had of any issue with the pregnancy with my son. The swelling I only noticed because others commented on it.

How are all you ladies BP doing? I Pre-eclampsia doesn't usually take effect until after 20weeks but some of us due in earlier may are closing in on 20 weeks now. So things shall be getting more real from here on out.

eryale · December 2017

I had a sudden onset of PreE when I arrived to deliver my first. Up until my last OB appointment (at 39 weeks, just a few days prior), my BP was totally normal. This time around my new OB suggested low dose aspirin and I’m taking it! I don’t want pitocin or magnesium again of I can help it! I trust my docs and the research!

fraufarbissina · December 2017

@Kendrajos hmm I don't think that's right.. everything I've read and what my midwife and MFM told me is that you're at a lower risk during subsequent pregnancies with the same father. Either way, I'm completely on board with the aspirin now. I was even hoping to find any research that would justify not taking it but everything says it's completely safe.

My BP so far has been good, but it never got above 130s/80s last time. The protein in my urine was the issue. I'm doing my baseline 24 hour collection next week (joy!)

oywiththepoodlesalready · December 2017

@fraufarbissina I did the baseline 24 hour collection the day before thanksgiving, no fun! My doctor also suggested baby aspirin though I have not started taking it yet because I keep forgetting. I had borderline pre-e last time but went into labor on my own at 37 weeks. Good luck next week!

suchaglencoco · December 2017

How common is this pre test?
I'll add it to my list of questions for next week.

fraufarbissina · December 2017

@suchaglencoco maybe it depends on how things went for you last time. My BP as fine but protein in my urine was pretty high so they want to do a baseline check because if there's protein now, then there might be some other non-pregnancy related problem with my kidneys. If I'm clear, then it's safe to say it really was pre e last time. I'm sure they'd have you do it if you needed to but doesn't hurt to ask.

suchaglencoco · December 2017

Gotcha. My bp skyrocketed at 35 weeks.
I'll definitely check to see what they say.

abbykm7 · December 2017

@fraufarbissina you are definitely at higher risk of getting it if you have had it before.

My BPs are normal/low but I am still 19 weeks. They didn’t start climbing with my first until the mid 30s. I am an L&D nurse and at the time worked on a high risk unit and the girls took one look at me and made me check my BPs when I walked into my shift because my edema was so bad. I had to work to open my eyes in the morning and my skin was like playdough all over (pitting edema) before i ever even became severe range at 36 weeks. One night I was at work and checked my pressure only to find it finally at the tipping point- finished my shift and checked into triage haha platelets were dropping and protein in the urine was climbing. My knowledge of what was going on made it so we caught it early.

desertdweller21 · December 2017

@fraufarbissina My understanding is you have a higher risk if you've ever had it before, even if it's the same father. However, a new father may further increase your risk. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355745

fraufarbissina · December 2017

@abbykm7 @desertdweller21 right you are at higher risk the second time if you had it the first time. But even higher risk if it's with a new father.

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