Hi and welcome!
I should preface this with the fact that my posts somehow always turn out so long! Sorry lol
Sorry about your bp issues. I don't know that I can offer much advice other than share my own experience. I would recommend talking to your OB/Gyn (I'm in the US so it may be a bit different) about it first. They can at least share risks with you and talk about any preventative courses of action for your particular situation.
I had my dd at 30 weeks due to severe pre-eclampsia as well. I did not have bp issues prior to being pregnant though, mine just came out of no where. Around 28 weeks I started having higher bp readings and protein in my urine. My OB made it seem like it wasn't a big deal, now I know better, but she would just have me come back every week to double check things. She never put me on medication or anything. I was told I had a UTI and did several 24 hour urine collections only to be told they came back fine. I had really bad swelling in my ankles and was told it was normal. But then one day I woke up with blurry vision. I went to triage and they admitted me immediately, my bp was through the roof and I had +++ protein. They put me on magnesium and it helped a bit but not much. I delivered my dd by emcs a day and a half later. My bp finally went down on it's own in about a week.
DH didn't even want to try for #2 because he was too afraid it was going to happen again. My OB had quit her practice so I needed to find someone new, which I kind of wanted to anyway as I felt she could have treated my bp and protein issues a lot more seriously earlier on. I found a really nice OB/Gyn and met with her to talk about my situation. She basically said that since I had pre-e pretty early in my pregnancy, that there is a greater risk of it reoccurring. But that unfortunately there is no way to prevent it, don't know what causes it, it's just something that happens to some women and still kind of a mystery.
I asked what the plan would be if I got pregnant, and she explained that I'd be treated as normal for the most part unless/until we start noticing any issues. And if that happens, it all depends on the severity as we might be able to put me on some meds, but it all depends. I would monitor myself at home, take a daily low dose aspirin, and go from there. (I know some doctors don't prescribe the aspirin - it hasn't really been proven to prevent pre-e, still only a theory at this point, but it can't hurt.) She said she would encourage me to do whatever I felt comfortable with, she would not discourage me from having more kids at all and she would be there to help me with the pregnancy so it is up to us.
Well fast forward to today, I am 28 weeks pregnant with a little boy and so far everything has been absolutely fine. I take a daily low dose aspirin and I take my bp at home every day and it's always been very normal. I did not start the aspirin until I was in the second tri. I haven't heard of anyone starting it pre-pregnancy but since you have bp issues normally, it may be different.
I haven't had hardly any swelling with the exception of one day and even then it was still pretty minimal in comparison. By this time with my last pregnancy I was already having issues with bp, having UTIs, major swelling, so things are looking good so far and I'm super optimistic. Lots of prayer too!
My OB has also given me the option to come in every 2 weeks now, so I was happy to accept that and will be monitored a little more frequently at this point.
I think for me, being much more educated about it has helped tremendously. I know what to look for, I know how to check my own bp, I know my body a lot better and I'm doing everything I can to help take care of it. I also know not to take any chances and to call or go in if anything does come up. My dd was born small as well, 2lbs 11oz, they didn't say I had IUGR last time but she explained with pre-e that can happen where the placenta isn't getting as much of the nutrients anymore so that can cause the baby to stop growing as normal. So I pushed for another scan just for my own personal assurance, and even though my doctor doesn't think it's necessary, she schedule me one. And I appreciate that she doesn't just turn me down when I want assurance.
I think that's what's most important - find an OB that is genuine, caring, lets you talk and express any of your concerns without making you feel crazy or like you're bothering them... find someone that also has experience with pre-e. That can make such a huge difference. I love my OB so much and I'm so happy I found her.
Do your research, and in the end do what you feel is right! If the risks are worth it to you, I say go for it. There's no saying whether it will happen again. Even though there is a chance, there are a good bunch of moms on here that went on to have normal full term subsequent pregnancies! And there are some that had it happen again, but I think again just being educated and prepared the second time around makes such a big difference. I'm sure some of the other pre-e ladies will chime in here soon. They are all so helpful and positive and have such good advice! Best of luck to you!
