A pre-eclampsia question

[katy1310]

Hi ladies

I had severe pre eclampsia and had my baby by emergency c-section at 27 weeks.

My health visitor was here today and she asked me if it's put me off having any more babies. The truth is, we had never planned for Sophie to be an only child, but I'm scared stiff of it happening again....scared because at worst it could leave Sophie without a mummy and DH without a wife, and also scared of having another extreme preemie - not sure if I could go through that again.

I told the health visitor that and she said you're less likely to have it again in a second pregnancy and even if you did it might not be so early. She said I'd get extra monitoring etc and that they'd know as soon as anything might be happening.

She said they would never let me get into a dangerous situation again. She didn't, however, say what they would do to stop me from getting back into a dangerous situation (last time, I was one hour from organ failure). Is there anything they can actually do to treat it if it's caught early, that would stop it from becoming so dangerous, or would the pregnancy have to be terminated? I'm not sure I could cope with that either.

Just curious really - if we were thinking about another baby it wouldn't be for another 2-3 years.

 

[sue247]

I had severe pre eclampsia in my first pregnancy too. My son was born at 28 weeks, after i had been hospitalised from 22 weeks as they tried to control my bp. So it was caught quite early and they tried to keep the bp down with drugs and then eventually had to deliver my baby. He is now 4 years old. I don't think there is anything they can do to actual stop it happening again even if caught early, this time around i have been on low dose asparin (but there does not appear to be anything to say this definately stops you getting pre eclampsia just 'may' help prevent it). They have been monitoring me closely this time, but i decided to take the chance of having another child as i was told the chances of it happening again are slim, so felt it was worth taking the chance.

 

[Bea82]

Hi,
I had my daughter at 26 weeks last september due to severe pe. Sadly we lost her after 5 days in neonatal. I am pregnant again now and much better this time, already 32 weeks and monitored closely. I am also on low dose aspirin. Even if I only reach 34 weeks I will be chuffed! Its very, very scary but well worth it x x

 

[jrkjcds]

im in the hospital now to monitor my BP and watch for pre-e. I have chronic hypertension and my dr sent me to the l&d yesterday when my bp was extremely high. I have a little bit of protein in my urine .. but not enough for them to want to deliver (my levels were at 250 and i guess the baseline they want is 150 or under, but women with sever pe have much higher levels?) they're having me do another 24hr urine and see what that turns out.

 

[mamaofthree]

Hey hun, i had pre (later than you, and not as severe) but horrible all the same with my first, and my second was a breeze....not a hint and m/w led lovely birth!!! you are more likely to develop it again however think positive! Atleast you know what to look out for now...i monitor my bp at home as get anxious in hosp after my experience, but this gives me peace of mind. They also supply me with combi dip sticks to check for protein!!!

My third, pih develpoed (vcery mild at 38weeks a day before delivery, and so far so good with this bubs and im 29weeks.......

Sooooo, if it does show (which is less likely) it is usually later on and milder...and if the worst does happen you and care providers will be prepared, and you can be medicated/put on bedrest to rule out the need for a termination. Asprin and vit c is said to help also, and i drink beetroot juice which contains nitrates that lower your bp(despite not having a prob at the mo...lol....im crazy!!)

Good luck hun...hope this helps a little
x x x x x

Keep pos and dont let it put youi off trying again......

 

[MishC]

I suffered with severe pre-e and hellp syndrome when i had my daughter. Like you i apparently came very close to dying, i was told by the MW that if i'd have left it another 20 minutes to go to hospital my daughter would have been still born and if i'd have left it an hour i'd have died along with her. When someone says something like that to you it's the scariest thing ever and you really do realise how lucky you and your baby are. Still to this day when i think about it it make me very sad that i got into such a state and my daughters life was nearly over before it began through my body been stupid.

I swore i would never have another child i thought there was no way i could go through anything like that again. I have found time to be a great healer and i see how my daughter is with other kids and babies. I've decided now to have another baby even though the odds are stacked against me. I know i'll be closely monitored (even though that won't make a difference if it comes on as quick as it did last time). I've been told i will be on bp meds through out the pregnancy because of how high my BP went with my daughter and a low does of asprin. As far as i'm aware there is nothing that can stop pre-e coming back because they don't know what triggers it off in the first place.

I suppose if you don't try you don't know and if something so severe has happened to you once you'll be more aware of it a second time round.

 

[Cazzyg]

it's probably all still pretty fresh in your mind. It's only now, 2 years on that I'm close to thinking about no 2.

Did you have a debrief following the birth? I had one a year on from C's birth and found it really beneficial to help allay some of my fears. I was told that, yes there was a higher risk of me developing pe as I'd had it before, but that if I did it was likely to be later and much milder. We also talked through any additional monitoring and I got the chance to ask all the questions I needed to. I know it's frightening but the consultant we saw talked though the stats and dying of eclampsia or related conditions is extremely rare in this country.

There is some recent evidence that a low dose of aspirin may be beneficial at preventing pre eclampsia. But time has helped, seeing my daughter grow up and having a bit of distance is really helping me come round to the idea of a brother or sister.

One of the key things for me too, is that if it did happen again, I know what it feels like and I know that there would be no messing around if I was showing signs.

 

[katy1310]

it's probably all still pretty fresh in your mind. It's only now, 2 years on that I'm close to thinking about no 2.

Did you have a debrief following the birth? I had one a year on from C's birth and found it really beneficial to help allay some of my fears. I was told that, yes there was a higher risk of me developing pe as I'd had it before, but that if I did it was likely to be later and much milder. We also talked through any additional monitoring and I got the chance to ask all the questions I needed to. I know it's frightening but the consultant we saw talked though the stats and dying of eclampsia or related conditions is extremely rare in this country.

There is some recent evidence that a low dose of aspirin may be beneficial at preventing pre eclampsia. But time has helped, seeing my daughter grow up and having a bit of distance is really helping me come round to the idea of a brother or sister.

One of the key things for me too, is that if it did happen again, I know what it feels like and I know that there would be no messing around if I was showing signs.

Hi, no, I never had a debrief. Sounds like it might be something that might help me though. Can I ask when your PE kicked in?

Thank you to everyone for all your replies - you've all made me feel much more positive!

 

[Cazzyg]

Much later than you - it started at 33 weeks and then turned into severe PE/eclampsia at 36 weeks and C only needed a week in neonatal.

I had to go through my GP for a debrief - she wrote to the hospital and I got an appointment. It should be offered as part of best practice in the UK - according to the RCOG guidelines - so you should have no trouble getting one.

 

[marnie79]

Hi hun, i had sudden onset of extreme pre eclamsia in jan this year when i was 35 weeks with my son, sadly it caused a complete abruption and i lost my son and nearly died too. Im now preg again, i had a meeting with a consultant and have a plan of care in place, i have 3 extra scans booked in on top of the normal ones, can go in to get checked out if im ever worried and will be induced at 38 weeks, how different this is to some one who didnt lose a baby i dont know but im sure u will still be closely monitored and its deff worth asking for a care plan just n case anything does happen in another pregnancy, so u know exactly what they will be doing and why.

Good luck hun, hope u find the answers u r looking for and have a pe free preg next time xx

 

[katy1310]

Hi hun, i had sudden onset of extreme pre eclamsia in jan this year when i was 35 weeks with my son, sadly it caused a complete abruption and i lost my son and nearly died too. Im now preg again, i had a meeting with a consultant and have a plan of care in place, i have 3 extra scans booked in on top of the normal ones, can go in to get checked out if im ever worried and will be induced at 38 weeks, how different this is to some one who didnt lose a baby i dont know but im sure u will still be closely monitored and its deff worth asking for a care plan just n case anything does happen in another pregnancy, so u know exactly what they will be doing and why.

Good luck hun, hope u find the answers u r looking for and have a pe free preg next time xx

I'm so, so sorry to hear about your son. I hope this pregnancy all goes smoothly for you xxxxxx

 

[Bea82]

Hi ladies,
I don't know if you already are registered but preeclampsia support is a great forum for advice. Liz who runs the forum can put you in contact with PE consultants. Its been a great help for me during a very scary 2nd pregnancy xx