Worried About Second Pregnancy, Due to Complications with the First One...

Hi! I know all too well what you are going through. I had an awful pregnancy the first time around and am 28 weeks pregnant with my second (well, third, since one of my twins passed away the first time.) I'd love to talk more - just don't want to share my whole story on the website! I've also started a yahoo group for those of us who are scared about a second pregnancy!

R.
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My daughter had pre-eclampsia with both of her pregnancies, but it wasn't really severe either time. It was a little scary when it was time to deliver, and with the first she was very disappointed not to be able to do anything except lie on her left side with several monitors during her labor. Both girls were born at a little over 5 pounds and are healthy and beautiful. One is almost 9 and the other will be 5 next week. Good luck to you and your little family.

Hi L.,
Every pregnancy is different and I'd tell you to pray about it and leave it to the Lord, who has blessed you to mother this child as well. All my children were born normal weights except the last one who worried the hell out of me. She was a preemie too, 4lbs, 4ozs. But, they let me bring her home at four pounds becasue they could tell she'd get a lot of love which helps them to thrive. No smoking, drinking, stay valm, and eat healthy. Stay in touch and let me know how you are doing, ok?

Queen

I completely understand. I had preeclampsia with first & second pregnancy. My first was born 10wks early. He was 1pd 8oz at birth. He was in the hospital for 7wks. Now he is a healthy 6 yr old. My second child was born 8wks early. He was 3pds 3oz. He is now 2yrs old and healthy. Both pregnancies were fine until the last 2 wks that i was pregnant with them. There is a page for women that have had preclampsia and are going thru it now. It is a support group. They keep up with the latest in preeclampsia news. Here is the link http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/default.asp

I my self had Preeclampsia with my first one. My second Pregnancy i was lucky not to have it. I dont think it would happen again but i am no doctor. Good Luck and Congrats

Diet is a huge issue with this. I have a friend who also went thru this. She was told to strictly follow the Bradley diet (given with Bradley childbirth classes and I am sure could be found on the internet...I may even have a copy of it since I also used the diet), it can prevent complications such as but not limited to preeclampsia, preterm labor and gestational diabetes. Food is everything! Good luck and I hope you have a safer, more enjoyable pregnancy. I also had a complicated 1st pregnancy, though no preeclampsia. My other 2 went fine despite I was told I was high risk for having complications again. Just relax, eat a good well balanced diet, exercise if you can and really enjoy it this time around. I am one of these people that love pregnancy. My 1st was horrible, but I was so happy to finally be pregnant with one that was staying that I didn't care how miserable or dangerous it was...just take it a day at a time and don't stress. Baby will sense that too. You can do it, and if it turns out you do get preeclampsia then you will be well prepared for what to expect. Hang in there mama!

B. :)

I totally understand where you are coming from. My first child, daughter, was born 12 weeks early, she was only in the NICU for 6 weeks, she did amazing! Before I got pregnant with her, I went to talk to my OB and she said the likelihood of it ever happening was pretty slim, but that the earlier the first pregnancy, the chance of having another pre-eclamptic pregnancy grew. They also told me that the sooner you try to have another the chance grow. We waited until our daughter was 4 1/2. I had a son who was 13 weeks early. He is doing amazing now, he's 4, but it was scary for awhile. With my son the symptoms, came on a LOT quicker and were totally different from what I had experienced the first time, if my doctor hadn't been looking for small signs, he wouldn't have known and the situation could've been a lot worse. I wish you the best!! Just know that everyone iss different and you never know, you could go all the way this time.

I had my first baby at 27 weeks due to pre-e. He was 1lb 15oz 13" and spent 74 days in the NICU. We just welcomed our second baby last month. He was born at 40 weeks and 1 day, a healthy 7lbs 21". I had no signs or symptoms of pre-e. I took baby aspirin and Omega-3 supplements. I stayed active and ate healthy, I think that made a difference.

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I had a very scary bout with preeclampsia with my 1st. she was 4 1/2 weeks early and I was on the verge of being very sick myself (I had no clue it was happening!) Everything turned out fine. She is now the big sis to her 8 mth old brother who was 1 week late! (they induced me with him!) That being said I was very concerned about having preeclamsia the 2nd time around and was reassured many times by my Dr. that my chances of having it were slim to none. You have a 50 50 chance of getting it with your 1st baby and then it drops significantly with the 2nd. Just discuss it with your Dr. and address any concerns you have then just enjoy being pregnant. It's a wonderful time in your life!
Hope this helps!
A.

Hi L.:

I've been there also with my first pregnancy; my son was 5 weeks early but he weighed a little over 5lbs so he was quite healthy and was able to come home with me. I just had another son 5 mos ago and I was scared throughout that pregnancy also but everything went fine. Just take it easy, exercise a little ( I recommend walking or walking on the treadmill) and be careful of certain things that you eat. That was my problem with the first pregnancy.. I ate alot of salty foods which aren't good for you while pregnant..but I had to have my ham and cheese subs from Blimpies w/ a sweet tea. Just hang in there..everything will be fine as long as you take care of yourself and that new blessing :) Good luck and CONGRATS!!

No personal experience, but my cousin went through the same thing. Her first child was 2'3 and her second was 10'3. She had preeclempsia with her first and not her second. Just thought I would share that in hopes it might make you feel better! I hope everything goes well.

Hello Hello
I am a mommy (of 3) and my 1st preg was a nightmare. I had preeclampsia and gained a total of 75 pounds during the whole pregnancy. It was horrible!!!! I was in labor for 13 hours and it took me 2 hours to push her out. She was also in the NICU. I feel your pain. BUT all pregnancies are very different as your doc will tell you. My 2nd preg was wonderful. No probs at all gained 30 pounds labored 3 hours and out in 3 pushes. All of you bad and good experiences will help you with the 2nd, you know whats coming and what danger signs to look out for. Dont fret, enjoy your 2nd pregnancy. Relax and enjoy your pregnant body, before you know it it's all over. And congratz to you on your 2nd your little one will also enjoy the new baby. I have 3 girls and they are the best of friends.

One good thing is you know that you already have had the preeclampsia so your OB/GYN should be keeping a close eye on you and monitoring you for it from the beginning. You also know what to except for the most part and can know what to do better also.

I went through this also. My first pregnacy I developed pre-e and he was born a month early. My second pregnacy went very well with no complications at all. Each one is totally different, so just take care of yourself and pray.

I had pre-eclampsia with my last child, due to my weight and eating habits. To control your weight exercise/walk a lot. You're gonna gain more weight this time so you have to be prepared for it.

Other than that there are medications to control it. I was on Toporol for about 4 months before DS#3 was born and for another 6 months after.

My doctor said that when you are carrying extra weight it's more likely that subsequent pregnancies will result in PE or even Eclampsia. I was 300 pounds which sounds bad but I didn't look that heavy cause I'm a giant.

Since you are already pregnant just eat a great variety of foods with very limited salt. Skip Pasta and rice mixes, make everything fresh and remember to exercise, exercise, exercise.

I've never had preclampsia, but I have experienced two premature births. It is VERY scary. I found the March of Dimes Share Your Story website while I was pregnant with my second child and found it to be a wonderful resource. I'm on there all of the time and I know that there are many mothers that have experienced preclamsia or are pregnant and worried about experiencing it again. I advise anyone who has experienced a premature birth to check out the website-it's great! www.shareyourstory.org

I was not preeclamptic, but during my pregnancy I took Bradley classes for natural childbirth. They taught that consuming high amounts of protein daily throughout your entire pregnancy (like 60-75g per day) would significantly decrease your risk. Plus drink lots of water and walk daily if your doctor says you can. Also, don't stress! Easier said than done, but stress can make some people's blood pressure go up. Congratulations.

I too had preeclampsia w/my first child(thought I was going to die and lose my baby) such a very scary situation. Then I got pregnant with my second baby when my daughter was just 7 months old. I will tell you that I had no problems or complications at all with him. It was a normal pregnancy, my dr. just watched me a little more closely to make sure all was alright. Good luck to you and Congratulations on your second baby!!