Is PE less common in second and subsequent pregnancies?

[OceanPrincess]

I had my 37wk check up yesterday and my BP was slightly elevated. Checked my urine and they found "some" proteins but not enough to be concerned about. Concern was about my BP because it has been textbook perfect all through the pregnancy and I textbook perfect with my first pregnancy as well.

Then the MW booked my next appt and it isn't for 10 days so they can't be too concerned about it or they would have gotten me in sooner, right??

But I am curious if anyone knows about the occurrence of PE in second and subsequent pregnancies - if it did not occur in the first pregnancy?

I thought I read somewhere that it was most common in the first pregnancy, but now of course I cannot find it!!!!

Help reassure me!!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I'm pretty sure once you've had it, you'll get in in subsequent pregnancies. At least thats what my GF was told with her second, because she almost had a stroke and they had to emergency caesar at 33 wks - she was told not to have any more as it might kill her and the baby probably wouldn't go as far next time. Having said that, her next one got to 35 wks - just - because she was on complete bed rest from 21 weeks.

Sorry, not the news you wanna hear

[*EJ*]

My SIL had PE both pregnancies. Her first one i think came on at about 26 weeks, she was on bed rest for as long as they possibly keep her there and then her DS was born at 28 weeks.

With her second pregnany she made it to about 28 or 29 weeks, then was on bed rest again and her DD was born at 30 weeks.

First time bub had to be born as his health was at risk, second time around bub was doing ok but mum was not well at all.

Sorry again not the best of news but i have a feeling she was told that she should have been less likely to get PE in her second pregnany (having had it the first time).

I'm not certain but i think you can go get regular checks of your BP from some chemists. I'm pretty sure my SIL would. Just to put your mind at ease between appts.

Good luck i hope all continues well

[*Beema*]

It is less likely to happen or if it does it is more likely to occur later in pregnancy with the subsequent pregnancy, if you have the same partner.

But if you have a different partner you basically start fresh so the risks of PE are the same with any "first" pregnancy.

What has been asked is that if you didn't have it with your first but can you get it with your second, yes it is possible, but not very common, unless there was a achange of partners between pregnancies.

You BP can climb as you get further into your pregnancy, but it isn't necessarily PE, although it is good to be monitored if it is and also be aware of the other symptoms, excessive swelling which doesn't go down, stars infront of your eyes, headaches, and protein in your urine, a small amoutnof protein is usually fine.

I have quite a few friends who had PE and very early on in the pregnancies requiring bubs to be born at 24-27 weeks, but in their subsequent pregnancies have made it to full term, another friend with her third pregnancy High BP in all made it long er with her thired, but her second was earlier than her first but not due to PE.

It is great that you are at 37 weeks, Full Term, that makes a big difference as well to bub, and hopeuflly your BP settles or stays the same

[OceanPrincess]

Thanks for the responses ladies. Been, you're on the money - I did not have it first time round.

Didn't know that about new partners. Haven't traded in my DH yet (lol j/k of course) so good to know it should be reduced.

The MW basically told me that if I see excessive swelling (more than what I currently have in my ankles which is ok), start getting headaches or feel in anyway "off", I should call them straight away.

I'm pretty comfortable that we're at 37wks anyway so hoping whatever happens the little bubs is ready for it!