Pre-Eclamsia - Had It with My First Pregnancy. Preg W/2nd Now What?

Updated on April 05, 2010
J.B. asks from South Saint Paul, MN
11 answers

I had pre-eclamsia with my first baby, but only right at the end after I was in labor. What should I expect with this next pregnancy? One doctor said I wouldn't necessarily have it again, but I know my Pastor's wife had it with every pregnancy.

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M.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

Every pregnancy is different. I had it with my first and ended up with a preemie. I did not have it with my second or my third. It is more common with first pregnancies than subsequent pregnancies.

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J.C.

answers from Florence on

Well I have some encouraging stories for you. My sister's placenta abrupted with her second child at only 36 weeks. She and the baby were very blessed to have survived. The doctors told her that she was not advised to get pregnant again because the chances were high that it could happen again. Of course she got pregnant again. Well she did have fluid with her third baby but no placental abruption and she actually made it to her scheduled C-section date. Also my co-worker's daughter died and was brought back to life when she had her first child. She developed a heart condition and was advised to not even think about getting pregnant again because her heart medication was not good to be taken during pregnancy. Of course the inevitable happened. My co-worker stressed the whole nine months and her daughter never had a problem. Just make sure the doctor monitors you closely. I hope this made you feel better at least.

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R.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had pre-eclamsia with my first pregnancy. My blood pressure slowly crept up in the last trimester and I was put on bedrest for the last couple weeks. I was induced at 39 weeks and had to be put on Mag for the delivery. I did not have any symptoms of pre-eclamsia with either of my two following pregnancies. They were very normal pregnancies. You should definitely keep an eye on your blood pressure, but try not to stress out about it.

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B.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I hope you don't have it again!!! I had it with my 1st and 3rd pregnancies, but not with the second. My own doctor also had it with her 1st and 3rd pregnancies. There really is no way to tell if you will get it again. Just hang in there, and watch for the warning signs. Hopefully your doctor will also be watching you closely too since you had it before!

M.S.

answers from Omaha on

I do not agree with Amanda. Here is my experience with it in my family. My mother had it with my sister. She had 3 more kids after that and didn't get it. My sister had it with my nephew. She didn't have any more kids. I had it with my first. Didn't have it with my second. They say if you have it with your first and you have a second child with the same father then chances are low that you'll get it again.

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A.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Your chances go up because you've had it, but you won't necessarily have it. I had blood pressure issues, but not actual pre-eclampsia with my first and was induced at 41 weeks. I became pre-eclamptic with my 2nd and was induced at 39 weeks. With my third, I had resigned myself to the blood pressure and swelling and induction being a normal part of my pregnancy, but, (surprise!) he came on his own (at 42 weeks!) with no complications. My 4th also came on her own (at 40 weeks) with none of the problems I had with the first 2. So, there's no way to know. Just be sure your doctor knows your history, keep an eye on it, and try to relax and enjoy the pregnancy. Congratulations!

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C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi J.,

I had extreme pre-eclamsia with my first pregnancy resulting in an emergency c-section and a preemie. My second pregnancy was monitored closely with no complications at all.

My doctor explained that the risk is highest with the first and decreases with each thereafter. If you have a good OB they should be following you close. I wouldn't worry too much. You should be fine.

C.

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B.A.

answers from Chicago on

Most who have a second child, with the same father, within 3 years don't end up with it again, but I was with my 1st and 3rd but not my second. All the same Dad. It also predisposes you to higher BP's after birth so keep and eye and get it treated if necessary.

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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hey J.- I had Pre-eclamasia with my first. Bed rest at 34 weeks except driving daily for urine test,fetal monitering and BP.........until induced at 38 weeks. My second...No problems at all....I think it just depends on your body.But I would TRY not to stress, I know easier said then done.....I did everytime I went to the OB for my second one, but everything turned out fine! Good luck!!

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B.H.

answers from Detroit on

I had it at exactly 20 weeks and it developed into a conditon called HELLP syndrome ( Hemotoses, low plateletss, Elevated liver) . It was horrible and for a time no one knew if I would survive. I loss by son because the only cure was to deliver the baby. My OB told me it was a good idea if I never got pregnant again due to the fact that I got it so early I had more than a 75% chance of getting it again. No one could even find anyone with a case similar to mine.
NoIt was difficult not only because of the loss, I had no children at the time, and no one could tell me why I got it in the first place. I had no family history.
I know have two children. They are 22 months apart and I never got the conditon again with either of my pregnancies.

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K.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had it with both, but I had it really really bad both times, which is quite unusual. I wouldn't worry about it. Most women don't have it with a second pregnancy. Just take good care of yourself, be aware of any sudden changes in your body or the way you feel, and keep going to the doctor regularly.

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