18 answers

L.P. asks from Uniontown, PA on June 10, 2011

Kind of a Medical Question, but Still... (Pregnancy Related)

Ok, I know this question needs to be directed to my doctor, and most definitely will be at my June 30th appt.

But what I'd like to ask you ladies about is your experiences with pre-eclampsia. Can it be prevented?

I had my son when I was 32 (in 2006). I was a good bit thinner when I got pregnant with him, I'd say around 25 pounds lighter then. He was a big baby, 9lbs, 9oz. I normally have really good blood pressure, never had any problems there. But during the last couple months of my pregnancy, my blood pressure started creeping up, to the point that the week before my due date, they took me out of work for hypertension. I guess it wasn't high enough to warrant meds, but they wanted me to take it easy. At my doctor's appointment on the day after I was due (my son came a few days after my due date), I tested positive for protein in my urine, which changed my diagnosis to pre-eclampsia. They sent me to the hospital at that time to be induced. They put me on magnesium (to stave off seizures) and after 24 hours of vomiting as if I had a horrid stomach flu, they determined that I wasn't going to dilate (only made it to 2 cm). So they did an 'emergency' c-section. After the birth, my blood pressure returned to normal, and I've been fine ever since. I was lucky in that it didn't develop until so late in the pregnancy, whereby it didn't interefere with my life up to that point (requiring bedrest or anything like that), and since the only way to get rid of it is to deliver, since he was fully 'baked' it was fine to induce and deliver at that point.

My worry is that I know that if you've had pre-eclampsia once, you are more likely than someone who has never had it to develop it in subsequent pregnancies. Being that I'm older now, heavier to start with, and predisposed to develop pre-eclampsia from having it before, I'm concerned that I might get it again, only this time, it could happen earlier in the pregnancy, it could be worse, etc.

Can you tell me about your experiences with pre-eclampsia? Did you have it with one pregnancy, but not subsequent pregnancies? Can it be prevented?

Again, I will be addressing this with my doctor, but I just wanted your insight...

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S.!. answers from Los Angeles on June 10, 2011

Typically it only happens in the first pregnancy (not always.. but usually only the 1st). I had severe pre-e with my first and my second two pregnancies were just fine. From what my Dr. told me no it can not be prevented.

good luck

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M.3. answers from Reading on June 13, 2011

Good Morning Mama!
I had pre-eclampsia with my first pregnancy. But I also gained almost 80 pounds. I was on bedrest for the last month of my pregnancy but as soon as I delivered her, it went down. With my other two children, I had smooth pregnancies and no pre-eclampsia. But, then I didn't eat like I did with my first. :)

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H.G. answers from Dallas on June 10, 2011

I had pre eclampsia with my first and had to be induced and put on mag as well. Ten and a half yrs later I had my daughter and my bp was not high not even once and no protein. Your next pregnancy could be a complete 360. Mine was! Good luck

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P.M. answers from Tampa on June 10, 2011

You may want to bring this up with a homeopathic Dr and maybe ask a few Midwives. Regular Drs and OBs will do nothing to help you - mainly because they have no clue. They know how to medicate, not prevent. Plus, most OBs prefer the motto - "Once a c-section always a c-section" and rarely will move away from that mantra.

You need to ask advice from medical professionals who aren't so entrenched in the American Medical Model of care. Most homepathic Drs ARE MDs, many Asian medicine Drs are MDs too. Most Midwives have a long experience with women of varying backgrounds and illnesses and some are even Nurse Practitioners.

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S.!. answers from Los Angeles on June 10, 2011

Typically it only happens in the first pregnancy (not always.. but usually only the 1st). I had severe pre-e with my first and my second two pregnancies were just fine. From what my Dr. told me no it can not be prevented.

good luck

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M.M. answers from Washington DC on June 10, 2011

I had it with my first but not my other three.
The second pregnancy was considered high risk, but I never had any issues, I was watched very closely.
The next two were just normal.
I had a Csection with number one, and three VBACS. When I had my fourth I was 35.

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B.W. answers from Pittsburgh on June 14, 2011

I know i'm a little late, but check out this website. It talks about magnesium and pre-eclampsia.
http://www.easy-immune-health.com/magnesium-in-pregnancy....

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B.S. answers from Lansing on June 10, 2011

A coworkers DIL had it with her second (which was about 10 years after her first) She had to deliver almost 3 months early (and although the baby was premature, he is healthy and almost 2). She is now pregnant with her third and so far things are going great, she is due in July.

I'm sure there are things that you can do to help you, so I'd definitely ask your Dr. Good luck!

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I.G. answers from Seattle on June 10, 2011

Talk to you doctor about recent research in pre-e prevention. There has been a very recent study that a simple nutritional supplement (L-arginine) in combination with vitamins can reduce the chances of developing it if you are at high risk. This is a very recent study and there are no recommendations on it yet, but L-arginine is easily available and your doctor may be ok with giving it a try.
Good luck!

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A.K. answers from Phoenix on June 10, 2011

I had it w/ my 1st two pregnancies. 2nd pregnancy was on bed rest for a few days . I think I probably should have been w/ 1st , also but had different doc & he didn't seem as proactive as the doc I had w/ #2 & 3. W/ #3 I had no problems w/ BP , if anything , at times somewhat low & I started out the pregnancy being 50 pounds heavier than when I was prego w/ the 1st.

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M.W. answers from Philadelphia on June 13, 2011

When I had my first son I also had pre-eclampsiaand I used a Dr. with my 2nd son I used a midwife( issues with my hospital and Dr during delivery), she told me that i could be fine the second time around cause it is harder on your body with the first. Mine didn't happen till the end the 2nd time around. Good luck!!!

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R.S. answers from Philadelphia on June 11, 2011

It can't be prevented, but you can be monitored more closely.

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G.T. answers from Washington DC on June 10, 2011

I have zero experience with the disorder however my cousin had this happen in both of her pregnancies. The first scarier than the second as she did take precautions the second time around. She planned the pregnancy to where the last trimester would be during winter when it was cold rather than hot out. She planned her diet, ate foods that had natural abilities for keeping a good BP. In her 8th month she still got a little bit high and had to do some bed rest until the delivery in January. She was obese tho, and I'm sure that hindered her some, we're talking 180lbs before she even got pregnant. Both babies were healthy, she did have c sections both times tho.

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L.V. answers from Pittsburgh on June 11, 2011

I don't have personal experience with this, but a friend of mine had preclamsia with her first pregnancy and was nervous about any other pregancies. Since she really wanted another child she talked with her OB/GYN about her hustory and concerns before she conceived. They considered her a high risk pregnancy from the beginning but just monitored her closely. They also had her take a low dose aspirin throughout her pregnancy. She was able to deliver fullterm to a healthy baby girl. She did not have to stop working early or go on bedrest. I think if you have a good OB/GYN and are honest about your concerns things should work out. Good luck.

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J.H. answers from Philadelphia on June 11, 2011

I had pre-eclampsia & HELLP syndrome w/ my 1st and delivered at 28 wks. With my 2nd the dr just kept a good eye on me. I was on medication, I had a monthly ultrasound (which is fun to watch the peanut grow), my BP went low at the beginning, then at 28 wks I was walking in Target and got dizzy. Pre-E was back! I bounced in and out of the hospital for 3 mos, he was delivered at 37wks and he's just graduated Kindergarten yesterday.

Yes it will be more complicated, but it is worth it. They'll keep an eye on you and you and the peanut will be fine. Just make sure you have a good support system. Since I already had 1 kid my husband and Mom had to chip in to take care of him while I was in the hospital.

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T.S. answers from Philadelphia on June 11, 2011

I had it after I had my son via c-section 3 years ago. Because of my age (was almost 39), i was scheduled to be induced since I was a week late and when I went to the hospital, thats when my BP started to go up. It had been normal the whole pregnancy. I just had a baby girl at the end od December and I was worried about it happening again. Was told there's nothing to prevent it. Had a normal pregnany but I opted to schedule a c-section only because I thought that if I reduced the stress on my body, it wouldn't happen again. I was fine this time around, but I don't think the elected surgery prevented it. was told it could still happen. Was SO glad I had a better hospital experience this time around. Preclampsia is awful!

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M.3. answers from Reading on June 13, 2011

Good Morning Mama!
I had pre-eclampsia with my first pregnancy. But I also gained almost 80 pounds. I was on bedrest for the last month of my pregnancy but as soon as I delivered her, it went down. With my other two children, I had smooth pregnancies and no pre-eclampsia. But, then I didn't eat like I did with my first. :)

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S.H. answers from Spokane on June 10, 2011

Hi L.,
I had severe pre-eclampsia (toxemia) with my first son. I was put on complete bed rest at 30 weeks. By 35 weeks things went down hill fast and I was in the hospital for a few days and they decided it was time. I had an emergency c-section. My son was 35 weeks and was 7 lbs. 8 oz. but never had to go to the nicu b/c his lungs were healthy, etc. We were very lucky! I was in the hospital for a week before they would release me.
Needless to say I was a little scared to have a second child, but decided my doc knew what he was doing and he took great care of me and my baby the first time I had faith he could do it again.
So with my second son they watched me like a hawk. BUT I had very few symptoms :) at about 34 weeks my b.p. started to elevate so he put me on partial bed-rest. That was it. That was at severe as it got. My b.p. stayed on the high side and I swelled up some, but nowhere near what I experienced with my first. I had a c-section schd for my second and he decided not to wait. I went into labor with him at 37 weeks and he was 8 lbs. 14 oz.
My doctor put me on extra omega 3's with my second and just watched me very carefully. I don't believe there is any way to "prevent" it but lots of ways to help control it!
Good luck ~ I'll be thinking of you!! SO happy for you :)

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H.H. answers from Philadelphia on June 11, 2011

I had almost the same exact experience as you with my first and a completely normal pregnancy with my second. They kept a close eye on me-baseline 24-hr urine, then again later in the pregnancy.

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K.K. answers from Austin on June 10, 2011

Yes, it can be prevented. You need to read this website: http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/

.

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