Pregnancy Hypertension in a previous pregnancy

[Flower15]

Hiya,

Just popping over from TTC, so know Im thinking in advance but just wanted to ask a quick question for Mums who had pregnancy hypertension in their first pregnancy and are now pregnant with their next baby. I had to be induced with DD as my blood pressure shot up at 37 weeks and was on labetalol for 3 weeks before and 10 days after birth. Now 18 months later I am trying for baby number 2 but worrying how this will affect my next pregnancy. Ive read the midwife may prescribe aspirin from 12 weeks, has this happened to anyone? Will the next pregnancy be classed as high risk? I just want to know what to expect as Im worried i might end up in hospital again with it like I did with DD, wasnt too bad first time as I didnt have any other responsibilities, now I have a toddler, so want to try and look after myself to prevent it from happening

Thanks in advance for any input

x

 

[Perfect_pink]

I had pregnancy induced hypotention in my first pregnancy which led to pre eclampsia at 20 weeks and was also on labetalol, i delivered at 25+3, im currently 27 weeks and have had no sign of any raised blood pressure, i have been on asprin since 6 weeks

 

[Flower15]

Thankyou for that, just wasnt sure what to expect. Have they been closely monitoring you this time?

Best of Luck with the rest of your pregnancy, really hope it stays down for you! Do you know what youre having? x

 

[Perfect_pink]

Yeah im seen every two weeks by my midwife and and alternate weeks by consultant, and from tuesday will have weekly growth scans, my story didnt end so well and i lost my little boy so my care has been amazing.

Thank you yes we no we are having another little boy x

 

[Flower15]

High blood pressure and preeclampsia in pregnancy is terrible ! Im seriously blessed that LO was fine afterwards.

I cant even imagine what you have been through! Im so pleased that you are getting the care that you need now. It will all be worth it when you finally have your little baby boy in your arms. Make sure you take it easy rest of your pregnancy, dont know about you but i overdid it last time, let everyone run round for you

 

[Perfect_pink]

Oh belive me i am, iv been off work since i was 8 weeks, driving me crazy mad but he will certainly be worth it in the end

 

[Flower15]

He definately will! Make the most of the rest now and being able to put your feet up, because when hes here you wont get to sit still for a minute He'll keep you busy! x

 

[vermeil]

Hmm I keep reading of ladies being put on aspirin at 12 weeks and that makes no sense to me. The reason for the aspirin is to help the blood flow, and so help the placenta develop normally. By 12 weeks the placenta has taken over so it`s still beneficial to have aspirin but really the main advantage has passed. I'm NOT a doctor obviously! I don`t see the harm is taking the 80mg aspirin daily now - ask your doctor but it`s such a low dose and has many long term health benefits

My first son was a severe case of iugr (intra uterine growth restriction) because I had (unbeknownst to me) high bp (140/90+ and nothing would bring it down) and a blood clotting disorder so the placenta never formed properly. We only found out in the second trimester and I was told repeatedly aspirin in the first trimester might have made a difference. I ended up hospitalized at 24 weeks and giving birth (planned c section) at 27 weeks since he was no longer receiving any blood flow at that point. I was one of the lucky ones though, my son is now 3 and doing well.

This time around I`ve been on aspirin and high bp medication since before conception, and daily heparin shots (blood thinner) since the bfp to keep the flow going. So far *knock on wood* at 17 weeks my bp is very good. Things didn`t go south until week 20 so I`m still nervous but I'm much, much better prepared this time round. Oh and I lost 40 pounds, which the doctor said is the absolute BEST thing you can do to control blood pressure, and probably the main reason why it`s good so far.

Really sorry perfect_pink to hear of your little one... I'm sure we`ll get to, oh 37 weeks trouble free this time

 

[Perfect_pink]

Can i just ask what was the cause of the growth restriction ? Iv been disgnosed with partcial Uterine Notching and they have said it would possibly lead to development problems, iv got an emergancy scan on tuesday as they think he is small already x

 

[angelandbump]

I had high blood pressure from 6 weeks with my son and was put on bed rest from 6 to 23 weeks then I had weekly nurse appointments to keep an eye on my BP. My son ended up being born at 34 weeks and my BP was incredibly high in labour.

This time my blood pressure has been absolutely perfect and not raised once (touch wood) xx

 

[Flower15]

Vermeil, youve got me thinking about the aspirin now. Might book an appointment at my GP's and mention it to see if I can start it now, just on a low dose. Is there any side effects of taking aspirin? Im petrified of it happening again, yet I was lucky in a way that mine happened towards the end, I think you all sound like such incredible ladies some of the things that you have been through, I cant even imagine

Angel and Bump, have you been taking aspirin too and closely monitored? How you finding being pregnant with a toddler?


Thanks again everyone, its given me a few things to think about. Wish you all luck with the remainder of your pregnancies. Make the most and relax x

 

[vermeil]

Can i just ask what was the cause of the growth restriction ? Iv been disgnosed with partcial Uterine Notching and they have said it would possibly lead to development problems, iv got an emergancy scan on tuesday as they think he is small already x

The growth restriction was probably caused by the placenta not developping properly. That was probably due to the high bp and an auto-immune disorder (antiphospholipid antibodies) which was only discovered months post partum and causes blood clotting.

You can read details and see pics in my sig below

 

[angelandbump]

Angel and Bump, have you been taking aspirin too and closely monitored? How you finding being pregnant with a toddler?

No medication this time. I am lighter in weight this time so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Pregnant with a toddler has it's moments... only because I have SPD. My son loves kissing my tummy and talks to baby but he has went from being very independent to any mention of baby he asks for a dummy and talks like a baby. Other than that, he has been great.

We shall see though when baby is born how he reacts and how I cope xx

 

[ajksand]

My bp was high from 35 weeks until they induced me 6 days before i was due. I have been on bp meds every since until i got pregnant this time bc i knew what i was on was not good for baby well it turns out that my bp is now the best it has been in probably 7 or more years with no meds at all

 

[Flower15]

Umm its really nice to hear some positive stories about ladies who have struggled with high BP previously and are now thriving with their second pregnancies Youve all given me some hope! I just dont want LO to suffer if Im ill through the pregnancy.

Angel and Bump, that is too cute about your son kissing your bump etc Makes all the pain worthwile I bet!

Thanks everyone, I wish you all a healthy and happy time for the remainder of your pregnancies x

 

[fairsinger]

I had pre-e and HELLP Syndrome with my first baby. He was induced and delivered at 36 1/2 weeks and was tiny (he had IUGR), but he is now 4 years old and over the 90th percentile in height! My next pregnancy ended in 2nd tri due to placenta blood flow problems, so I started taking low-dose aspirin after that. My OB has me start the aspirin prior to conception and continue it throughout pregnancy. I delivered a healthy baby in 2011 with no blood pressure issues at all, and so far have not had BP issues in this pregnancy, as well. I truly believe the low-dose aspirin makes a difference for me, but I can't imagine waiting to take it until after 12 weeks, as one of the reasons I take it is to help the placenta form and function properly.

My daughter had had no complications from using aspirin, so I had no fears about taking it in this pregnancy. It's definitely worth talking with your doctor about.

 

[Flower15]

Thanks Fairsinger. I might book an appointment soon and see what they say. How many weeks of pregnancy do you take the aspirin for? Im really sorry to hear about your loss, it must have been very difficult. Good Luck with the remainder of your pregnancy x