Why would a Doctor ask....

[myson]

...if my two kids and the bub in my tummy all have the same father?

What is the significance of this question when investigating possible hypertension or pre-eclampsia? (or any other pregnancy complication)

I have no idea. But I want to know if there is a genuine reason why this would matter.

[tan32]

im not sure if it is right, but i think that somewere along the line that they thought the father may have something to do with pre eclampsia.

[~Saram~]

Yes apparently there is a relationship between fathers and developing pre-eclampsia. Something like with your first you have a significant risk factor which decreases with subsequent births unless there is a different father in which case your rsik factor is the same as if it were your first. Something like that

[Michelle71]

If there are new complications that were not evident during previous pregnancies it is possible it is related to the different partner. It isn't a pleasant question but today it is also wrong to assume that all children are from the same relationship and thus, potentially, miss an important piece if evidence when trying to provide the best care for the complication being treated (or not being treated on this occasion).

Not sure of the evidence to support this but it is a reasonably common question to be asked.

[Leestar]

Incompatibility in the father and mother's blood types can also lead to pre-eclampsia. It would be a possibility if this bub had a different father.

[myson]

oh, ok, thanks guys. I had no idea. I thought maybe he was just being nosey. And DH was a little bit offended by it ( we have been happily married for 13yrs).

I did have pre-eclampsia with my first, but same father for each kid and being my third makes it a bit less likely this time... i hope...

[CathyS]

Well with my 3rd, a midwife told me that I am basically going back to square one as far as birth is concerned (having a different Father). It is like having your first baby apparently.

[Evie76]

He was just being a busy body!!

Har, har..... only joking.