Question for Pre-e mums?

[Little_Roo]

Hi Ladies,

Im just wondering what care people are having/had in their 2nd pregnancy after pre-eclamsia 1st time round.

Im 23 weeks and so far I have had my booking appointment, 2 scans, and 2 anti natal appointments (after each scan). On my last antinatel appointment at 20 weeks I was told I should have been put on aspirin at 12 weeks but hadn't so was put on it then at 20. Im not due to see anyone now until 29 weeks. Does that sound about right?

When I saw my thyroid consultant (i have a under active thyroid) he was under the impression I should be seen more regular?

Little confused

Also many people have mentioned a c-section 2nd time round after a pre-e labour 1st time. Is this for the best or is a normal labour ok? My pre-e went really bad during labour with Rubie but I did manage to have her naturally (thanks to the mag sulf). I was in for 2 weeks after labour and on bp meds for 16 months after that.

 

[Perfect_pink]

I was on asprin from 6 weeks, i was seen every 4 weeks then had weekly growth scans from 23 weeks, i had a c section first time around aswell as the second, i had a section at 35+ as i had pre e again x

 

[Little_Roo]

Oh well I think I need to ring the midwifes and see if I have been over looked seen as the asprin and thyroxine was overlooked maybe the rest has. Typical!

When I had my daughter I went in to hospital at about 35weeks. The doctor their said he was going to induce me but then when the shifts changed the new doctor said I was fine to go home on BP meds. 5 days later I wasnt well, my body had ballooned and when I went back to hospital it turned out the meds worked for a short time after taking them but my bp went right back up. I was monitored over night then induced in the morning. After a long and crappy labour a gave birth the next morning but my bp was very unstable. In hospital for 11 days and on the meds for 16months. I really dont want to go through all that again.

 

[amjon]

I was seen every 2 week from 8-22, then weekly by the MFM. I also took daily BP and kept a log for her. I had a CS but because of two breech babies. I see no reason they would do a CS for pre-e only (unless it was at the emergency point with very high BP). They were going to allow me a vaginal delivery if the boys cooperated.

 

[supertabby]

I had Pre-eclampsia and class II HELLP Syndrome with my daughter, fortunately I was already 40 weeks and it came on suddenly after a textbook perfect pregnancy. I had an induction when pre-e was diagnosed, 14 hours later the induction hadn't kicked in and HELLP was diagnosed so I was taken for an emergency section. I was very ill from HELLP and on magnesium sulphate for 3 days after the birth but I was lucky to make a good recovery - I've heard of lots of mums like yourself who needed longer term meds. Most importantly of all my daughter was completely healthy.

I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant and everything so far has been fine. I've been on aspirin since I got my bfp so about 5 weeks but I have seen on forums that a lot of women start aspirin at 12 weeks. I saw a specialist after my daughter's birth and knew from her that I'd need aspirin if I got pregnant again so went and harrassed my GP for it! I've had the same midwife schedule as a first time mum (second time mums usually have less appts) so a few more check ups, switching to fortnightly midwife checks from 32 weeks and weekly check ups from 36 weeks. I'm also under consultant care and have had hospital doctors appointments at 20, 30 and 36 weeks. I have had extra scans but only due to non-related miscarriage scare early on and low fundal measurement that turned out to just be baby's positioning, no scans specifically for pre-e/hellp.

I'm having a repeat section. As you didn't have one before I wouldn't rush to have one now - I think it's more previous section mums who are offered it. However if labour made things worse last time you could have a birth plan that says if you develop pre-e again you'll have a section but otherwise labour normally? Despite my birth plan last time for water birth and g&a, I've got other medical issues (not pregnancy related) that mean a section makes more sense for me but it's kind of a best of a bad choice situation as the recovery is no fun and I'm dreading it with a toddler.

It seems to me from talking to other women online since I had my lo, that treatments and doctors attitudes can vary immensely. Aspirin is the standard in UK but some countries have other meds. One thing is definite though - while you are high risk your chances of having it again are smaller than having a normal healthy pregnancy, most women with pre-e first time go on to have a normal second pregnancy and birth. Hopefully we're both in that category!

 

[Little_Roo]

Thanks for your replies. Im just waiting on the midwife to get back to me so I can ask her about the care path I should be following.

My labour was very bad so have been wondering if a section would help prevent thwt again, i cant spend 2 weeks in hospital again with my daughter at home. She would pine for me so much and i her. But that said I may have to have a section regardless due to being riddled with psoratic arthritis in my neck and hips. Im on steroids for it now as my usual meds are dangerous to baby but im in so much pain I dread what it will be like after a natural birth. I have never had a op in my life tho and the thought of it freaks me out.lol

 

[Little_Roo]

Well I spoke to the midwife and she said I should be seen before 29 weeks with history of pre-e. So booked in to see her friday at 24 weeks.