Pre-eclampsia, did you get it again?

[RcdM]

Hi ladies!

I wanted to introduce myself, and w8ing4ours I hope things are going well, my situation with dd1 was similar to yours. Over the last 2 days I have read through this ENTIRE thread, from the very first post. LOL! I feel like I know all you ladies already!

Currently my dd1 is 21 months old, perfect and healthy. I had her at 30+5 on April 25. Original due date was June 29. My pre-e came on SO fast and unexpected. All my previous appointments had been normal. I had a little protein on a Thursday and my bp was a little higher than average, so they wanted to see me again in a week. I had my baby shower on a Saturday, my feet were so extremely swollen but I assumed it was normal and my Dr told me as long as the swelling goes down when I elevate them, it should be fine.

On Monday morning I was driving into work and my vision was extremely blurry. I got really scared. I made it to work but called my Dr and she told me to go to triage. I was admitted immediately, +3 protein, can't remember what my bp was but it was really high. Was immediately put on magnesium (awful!!) and being checked every 15 min, and it wasn't going down. Dr's decided I was going to have to deliver very soon, and recommend c-section for my own safety. Got the first steroid shot, bp and protein were increasing so moved up the c-section to 2pm the next day. Got the second steroid and was ready to go to sleep, but at midnight dd's heart rate was slowing and even though I didn't feel it, the monitor was showing I was having contractions. They came in and did an u/s to check her blood flow and it was slow, and she was measuring on the small side. So they did the c-section 30 min later.

Turns out her cord had gotten into a knot! I think all of this was a blessing in disguise because I never would have gone in and found this out had it not been for my sudden pre-e. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if I had gone on until Thursday for my appointment.

DD1 came out crying (which I was shocked - they prepared us for the worst but said chances were good since she was at least 30 weeks) and I even got to kiss her cheek before they took her off to the NICU. She was 2lbs 11oz and passed her apgar right away! She spent 31 days in the NICU, originally they told me she would have to stay until at least her original due date. She did great the entire time. Never needed oxygen, had a little jaundice but after 3 1/2 weeks started feeding on her own with a bottle of my breastmilk. She was discharged 5 days later, and today, even though she is petite (20lbs @ 21 months) you'd never know she had such a crazy and early start to life.

I stayed in the hospital for 9 days and my bp was still a little high when I was discharged but it was going down each day so they were comfortable with that.

Phew - so the reason I'm on here, we started ttc for #2 this month and I got pregnant right away! It took 9 months of ttc with dd1, so we were both so shocked. I just got my bfp yesterday so I realize I'm on here really early. I know when I conceived lol so that puts me at 4 weeks today. But it's always been a thought in the back of my mind that the pre-e might come back again. I'm nervous about that. It was so traumatic, I'm sure you all know. A while back I talked to my Dr and she said there is a chance it can happen again, and I would be high risk for #2, but they'll just monitor me more frequently and there are some preventative things we can do this time. I don't have my first appointment until Feb 25... I wish it was sooner, ugh. But I would love to keep close to this thread during my pregnancy and hopefully develop a friendship or two for support. Anyone else out there very early along?

Thanks for this thread. It's so helpful! I hope everyone is doing well and so sorry for such a long post!

 

[Dinah93]

Hi Randie, thanks for sharing your story. I'm not as early, but still first trimester. DD came at 28+0 and I'm praying to get past 30 weeks this time, but been told as I have essential hypertension and pre-e and HELLP came before 30 weeks it's about 50-50 I'll deliver before 30 weeks again

 

[W8ing4ours]

sorry I haven't updated, I spent the last 11 days in the hospital. My sweet tiny son, Parker Scott, was born a week ago today at 30+1, weighing a few grams under 2 lbs even. My preeclampsia and blood pressure kept me in the hospital until today, when they somewhat reluctantly discharged me even though my bp isn't great yet. Honestly, I've had the worst week of my life my sweet Parker is doing really well though and I'm just so thankful he is ok and tonight i was finally able to rock my 2 year old to sleep. How did you guys do this? I feel traumatized from this experience and we just started down the long Nicu road. I feel an incredible sense of emptiness not having my baby with me tonight I just cannot wait until its all behind us someday...

 

[Dinah93]

Congratulations on the safe arrival of Parker! It's not the journey you're used to or hoped for, but try to enjoy the good points none the less. You get through it because you don't have a choice not to, but yes, a lot of parents of preemies who are in for more than a week or two are traumatised by it, I've done a lot of fundraising for our unit but I know I can't walk in there without crying. The thing that has helped me in the short term was pumping milk, that was the one thing I could do for DD that no one else could do for her. Gosh I hated that pump, but I loved that I was helping to make her strong. In the longer term what helped me was volunteering for baby and childrens charities and fundraising for the nicu, giving back to help other babies made me feel like I've taken something positive from the experience.

 

[RcdM]

Congratulations! And I love the name Parker. It's not easy when your baby is in the NICU. But at least you know he is in good hands. The nurses at our hospital are seriously so sweet and treated us like family.

I hope you are recovering well yourself. Take this time while you can to really take care of yourself. It feels like forever in the moment, but once your baby boy gets home time goes by so fast and everything becomes normal very quickly. You'll look back and remember the experience as something that made you and your son stronger, and you'll be all the more thankful. I will keep you in my prayers, please keep us updated!

 

[W8ing4ours]

Thanks randie and Dinah, your words are very comforting. Parker has gained a half pound in the last week, going from 1.9 lbs to 2.4 lbs! The doctors are amazed everyday with how well he is doing, and I am so thankful. I'm struggling with finding balance between the Nicu and being home with my 2 year old, she had a really hard time with me being in the hospital for 11 days, so I'm trying to make things as normal for her as I possibly can. Everyday seems a bit easier than the day before, although I did spend a lot of today crying. I think it's the hormones and the fact that I haven't slept well in over 2 weeks, I've been waking up every 20-30 minutes having nightmares and night sweats all night long. It's rough, but I'm keeping perspective. Dinah - I have been tied to my pump and I do feel good every time I pump, it's a small thing I can do for him. I love the idea of giving back to the Nicu, and think I will try to do something similar.

I hope you are both feeling well with your pregnancies so far and I will also pray that you both can make it further with your pregnancies this time around.

 

[Neversaynever]

W8ting4ours...huge congrats on the safe arrival of Parker

It must be truly awful doing it this way but gave hope that this will soon become a distant memory and new memories will be made before long.

Big and take care of yourself too

XxX

 

[pink23]

I'm worried I will get pre e this time. I'm 18 weeks tomorrow and I had my bp check today which came up as 151/91 . Tbh I had the kids with me as it's half term so wasn't in the best relaxed mood but I've had my tablets upped. I was on 125mg of methadopla x2 a day , 4 weeks a go I was on 250mg x2 a day and now I'm on 3x 250 mg.
Next appointment is my 20 w scan and husband is with me and kids will be at school at nans so hopefully I will be able to relax. Xx

 

[joeybrooks]

Hi girls,

Let me introduce myself to this thread. I had my little boy in June 2012 at 37 weeks due to severe pre eclampsia. Fortunately he was fine but I had an extremely traumatic labour and whilst I am not pregnant again just yet, I am starting to think about planning for number two.

My OH is terrified of even considering this as it was also a very traumatic experience for him and he is worried that something could happen to me. I too worry that I could get it again, but I also know that I would be much more closely monitored the second time around. I have almost read all of the posts and it seems that a few people have had the same problems second time around.

It is just so scary the thought that it could all happen again.

 

[Dinah93]

As pre-e came so late, and you don't mention an underlying blood pressure issue it's quite unlikely to happen again, but obviously there are no guarantees. Also since they took the time to induce rather than go for a caesarean its an indication they considered you fairly stable. It's likely you'll be seen a lot more often, and have a midwife check your urine and blood pressure once a week from 30 weeks. The likelyhood of anything happening to you that lasts long term is very slim, my obstetrician told me he has been in this field for over 30 years and in that time he hasn't known a single woman to die or need a transplant as a result of pre-e, there was one lady who came into A&E in a very bad way and died, but they don't know if it was pre-e as she hadn't seen a single doctor or midwife all pregnancy and she was living in a hostel with known alcohol issues, but he considers this to be an exceptional circumstance even if it was pre-e that most women won't be in.

 

[joeybrooks]

As pre-e came so late, and you don't mention an underlying blood pressure issue it's quite unlikely to happen again, but obviously there are no guarantees. Also since they took the time to induce rather than go for a caesarean its an indication they considered you fairly stable. It's likely you'll be seen a lot more often, and have a midwife check your urine and blood pressure once a week from 30 weeks. The likelyhood of anything happening to you that lasts long term is very slim, my obstetrician told me he has been in this field for over 30 years and in that time he hasn't known a single woman to die or need a transplant as a result of pre-e, there was one lady who came into A&E in a very bad way and died, but they don't know if it was pre-e as she hadn't seen a single doctor or midwife all pregnancy and she was living in a hostel with known alcohol issues, but he considers this to be an exceptional circumstance even if it was pre-e that most women won't be in.

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I have no underlying BP issues and my BP stabilised about a month after the birth, although after delivery, it did reduce greatly.

 

[RcdM]

JoeyBrooks, mine did about the same, my bp was back to normal a few weeks after. It was still kind of high when they discharged me (I stayed a week) but since it was showing a steady decrease they felt comfortable letting me go home.

Although I would have stayed longer if they let me so I could stay closer to my daughter in the NICU.

I'm pregnant with #2 now, 8w4d and I feel pretty good about this pregnancy. I've done a lot of praying, for a healthy, normal pregnancy as well as strength and comfort so I an deal with this and not be totally worried and anxious the entire time. I think we're gonna be just fine! I also bought myself a home blood pressure monitor last week just to have and use later on for my own peace of mind. I know it's still super early for me, but I'm still looking forward to connecting with more ladies who might be going through something similar.

 

[Dinah93]

20 weeks now and BP has shot up this week, always high on an evening but not the morning. Sitting about 140/110 by bedtime. So we've doubled my medication and I pray that brings it under control.

 

[sethsmummy]

20 weeks now and BP has shot up this week, always high on an evening but not the morning. Sitting about 140/110 by bedtime. So we've doubled my medication and I pray that brings it under control.

aww gosh hun i really hope it gets under control xx

 

[Dinah93]

So far its helping, it's back under the dreaded /100 line although not by much. 21 weeks tomorrow, seems a long way to go.

 

[sethsmummy]

every extra day its under is a bonus hun. Try stay positive xx

 

[RcdM]

Good to hear it's helping! Keep us updated and you and your little one will be in my prayers!

 

[sethsmummy]

how is everyone getting on??

i am not joining you again! im roughly 5 weeks 2 days pregnant now when ihad a health check a few weeks ago my BP was on the higher side of normal so i could end up with hypertension... let the fight with Pre-e begin.

 

[RcdM]

Congrats sethsmummy! I remember your name from all of your posts! I'd really like to keep this thread alive, it's been so helpful for me. I'll be 20 weeks tomorrow, yay for halfway! Once I get to V-day I will be thrilled, and when I get to 30 weeks, I will be ecstatic! So far I have had no BP issues whatsoever. Which was the same as before, everything was fine and then everything came out of no where at 30 weeks, so that doesn't mean a whole lot yet. But still very optimistic about this pregnancy.

Praying you have a happy and healthy 9 months!

 

[sethsmummy]

Congrats sethsmummy! I remember your name from all of your posts! I'd really like to keep this thread alive, it's been so helpful for me. I'll be 20 weeks tomorrow, yay for halfway! Once I get to V-day I will be thrilled, and when I get to 30 weeks, I will be ecstatic! So far I have had no BP issues whatsoever. Which was the same as before, everything was fine and then everything came out of no where at 30 weeks, so that doesn't mean a whole lot yet. But still very optimistic about this pregnancy.

Praying you have a happy and healthy 9 months!

We can do it Hun! I know fine well I'm going to have issues this time round again. No doubt ill be stuck with needles two to three times a week at the end lol

Do you know what you are having yet Hun? Xx