Preeclampsia in second pregnancy

Hi all,

Just a thought bubble regarding future babies. I had preeclampsia in my first pregnancy. It started at 37w5d so in that respect I was lucky as bubs was full term. I was induced and my blood pressure came down about a week after I had the baby.

I'm curious about future pregnancies. At the time my OB indicated that it is likely I would develop PE but it would possibly start later. I'm not nervous as such because I still got the vaginal birth I wanted, but I'd like to have an idea of what I'm in for.

Cheers,
Fiona

I was in a very similar situation to you where I was developing PE but it was coming on pretty gradually and late in the pregnancy, I was induced at 40+3.

My ob told me I was unlikely to get PE again as long as my next child was with the same partner. I've heard this from other places also. I'm not saying that your ob is wrong because I'm sure there were other differences and our situations (no 2 cases are ever the same) but I just thought I would let you know what I had been told.

I got PE with DD (actually HELLP - PE was just a part) and the research suggests it isn't a pattern for it to happen twice, but it does. In fact my Ob at the time said it probably wouldn't happen again.
With DS, my BP went up much earlier and got higher. I was on meds and bed rest much earlier - but never developed into full blown PE thank goodness.
I really think it's an individual thing.

Oh Sagres, that's interesting. I would be interested to hear other peoples opinions also. I developed PE and ended up with a c/s. My ob suggested that he would expect the same thing to occur next time also. Having said that, i have an underlying health issue so perhaps that's the reason he thinks it will occur again for me?

Yeah they didn't say it wouldn't happen, just that is was much less likely. Also the probability is different if you have a different partner for the second child. I don't understand why though!

I suspect that not all cases of PE are equal though, which is why we have been given different advice. And I have some recollection of hearing that if you have high blood pressure caused by other means (so not caused by PE), then that is much more likely to reoccur? I guess because what ever caused it the first time (like Happy Chicks underlying health issue) will still be an issues second time around? I think I'm just speculating now :)

Hi All

I was diagnosed with PE in labour with DD, towards the end of my pregnancy i got really swollen all over and my blood pressure did go up on one of my prenatal visits and went really high in labour along with protein in my urine and my blood test were showing PE.

I have just had my second child and at around 37 weeks my blood pressure started going up again but did not have any other symptoms of PE. It went really high again in labour but all my bloods were not showing signs of PE. So it could just be pregnancy hypertension. After delivery i currently still have high BP and have now been put on medication as the hospital was concerned that i could be developing post partum eclampsia which can last up to 6 weeks after the baby is born. The medication has bought my BP down and i have not shown any symptoms or had protein in my urine or any unusual blood results.

I was also told that it is unlikely to get it in second pregnancies with the same partner (new partner, different hormones).
I have read that diet can help prevent PE. (read it here on BB and was also told by an acupuncturist)

I agree that not any 2 cases would be the same and hopefully you wont get it again. Goodluck.