Mom's Who Have Gone Through Pre-eclampsia

Congrats on your new little one! It sounds like you are on the road to recovery, but the edema in your legs and feet is still an issue. I went through the same thing and it is so painful! My doctor told me to drink and drink and drink and drink...He wanted me to try and get in 1 to 2 GALLONS of water a day! I know it sounds contradictory, but by drinking, it actually pulls the fluid out of the interstitial spaces. You will be peeing a ton, but that is key. Also, put your feet and legs up as high as you can. I used about 6 pillows under my legs everytime I sat down and laid down. If you do these two things, you should be feeling a little better each day. I think my edema resolved totally after about 3-4 weeks. Good Luck!

Keep your feet over your heart as much as possible, eat alot of apples and celery, drink as much water as you can stand, and wear compression socks or hose. Also, getting a lymphatic massage is very helpful. I have 8 weeks to go and my legs are always giving me grief but these things I do are very helpful. Make sure that you're as "regular" as you can be. Irregularity makes you retain fluids.

I didn't have preclampsia, just some high blood pressure probs until I went into labor. Then, as soon as labor started, my blood pressure went through the roof, and Almost had to have a c-section. Luckily enough, my son popped before that had to happen. My feet and legs were swollen for like a month afterward, and nothing helped except for bed rest and keeping my feet up. It was sooo painful too. I would be fine when I woke up, but by the time I actually got up and took a shower to get dressed, I didn't want to go anywhere. My legs, feet, and CANKLES at that point where just throbbing. It eventually does go away, but for a while, stay OFF YOUR FEET! Another week or so of bed rest should make it go away. Good luck.

There are natural supplements you can take that will help tremendously. I would be more than happy to work with you, check out my website. These are recommended by Dr. Oz of the Oprah show. I hope you find something that helps!

Take care,

www.shaklee.net/denise_friedl

I had it with my first pregnancy which I lost my child (I was 25 wks pregnant) and after my 2nd loss they found out I had a blood clotting disorder.
Massaging works good and walking will help get rid of the water as well. Keep on the water loss pills if they gave you any otherwise you can get some at a vitamin/health food store.
I did not get preeclampsia with any of my pregnancies after my first. So, as far as I know, it should not happen again. Good luck! I know the water retention hurts.

I agree with all the responses so far by keeping you legs elevated. It took a while for my water to go down in my legs and feet. THis is by all means not to scare you, but as for the eclampsia, my sister all though this is very rare, had this condition with all three of her sons, they told her it is very rare for a person to get this that many times she had to have emergency c-sections with all of them also. I don't know how bad your condition was,but hers was so bad, I just remember the drs. telling my mom (my sis was single) that she had to go into the delivery room with my first nephew incase my mom had to choose saving one of them that is how bad it was and the other two times it was just as bad, so bad that the dr told her that if she tried for a fourth child she could die. Please I am not telling you this to scare you, just to let you know it can happen again, but very rare. I was afraid after suffering four miscarriages when I finally stayed pregnant I would get it too, but the drs. say it's not heriditary. Good luck and congrats on your new baby enjoy every minute because before you know it they are not small.

After my third c-section, I couldn't seem to get the swelling down in my feet and ankles. At my 2 week post opp. exam My doctor suggested "unsweetened" grapefruit juice, it's a natural diuretic, and lots of water. I was skeptical but willing to try anything. After about 2 days, the swelling was gone!

I'm so sorry that you are going through this and I hope your son recovers well and quickly. I had twisn and had to deliver early b/c of preclampsia. I didn't do anything specifically to rid myself of the swelling, but after about 2.5-3 weeks I was significantly better - it was weird seeing my fingers and toes with wrinkles in them.

My sons were in NICU from 6-9 weeks and it was the hardest time of my life. Please let me know if you need to talk, but all I can advise is that don't be afraid to confide in the nurses and ask all the questions that you want. I found the the nurses and doctors in the NICU were some of the most impressive people I've ever met (and I spent a lot of time with them). At first it was really h*** o* me cuz they didn't really want me to touch them, etc. but speak up as soon as its okay its great for them to try nursing (if you want to) and hold them, change diapers, help weigh them, etc. Some nurses were better than others at letting me participate as much as possible, so you might have to feel them out. And also you should feel like you can call at whatever hour and visit when ever you want. At first they were always telling me to go home to take care of myself, but all I wanted was to be in the NICU, and they grew to understand and respect that. And if I was upset in the middle of the night I would just call and speak with a nurse and she would tell me how they were doing and I would be able to go back to sleep.

My prayers are with you!

Being a labor and delivery nurse, here is my advice. Drink plenty of fluid ad elevate your legs frequently during the day. Also, lemon is a natural diuretic which could help. As for the chance of it happening again in future pregnancies- you have a high chance of having it again

Hi...I, too, was a mom (30 y/o) who had Pre-Eclampsia...how's your baby?? Was he born preemie?? Well, with regards to the weight, you'll be fine. I went back to normal within a month, maybe month 1/2. This was almost 9 years ago. I've had 2 more children after her & I didn't have the Pre-Eclampsia for the other two!! I was told usually it show's up in the first birth (for the most part) and that it had something to do with both parents' genes (???). Who knows what really causes it!?! Anyways, I hope all goes well for you and your son. You can keep me posted if you wish!! A.

I had pre-eclamspsia with my second child. I gained only 30 pounds with her, but lost all and more after she was born. I don't remember how long it took...maybe a couple weeks. My pregnancy with my first daughter was perfect...just a little hypertension at the end. My daughters are 17 months apart. They are now 14 and 15 and I have a two year old son. I had no problems at all with that pregnancy and I was 38. So I wouldn't worry at all about having it again. I am not sure if my situation was as bad as yours though, I was on bed rest for the last six weeks or so, but delivered at term vaginally. The delivery was very easy...no problems there.

T.,

Pre-eclampsia is never fun. I had it with all 3 of my boys....the last one was the worst. My skin was sooo tight that it was glossy!! After I came home from the hospital with my 3rd one, which was an emergency c-section, I kept my feet elevated on a recliner when I was sitting. However, remember to keep movement going occasionally to prevent blood clots. At bed time I slept on my back with my feet and legs elevated on pillows. When I woke in the morning, the swelling had gone down tremendously....I could actually see my ankle bones!!! And the pain to walk was mild. Just try to remember throughout the day to sit down and elevate your legs and feet. It took me about two weeks of sleeping with the pillows under my legs before I could get back into regular shoes and such. Good luck. I hope this helps.

L.

Hydrotherapy works really well and compressive pantyhose. I heard from my doctor that there was a 15% chance of it re-occuring. I had a second one and we were pretty good and weren't at least diagnosed with having it a second time.

Hi,

I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia when i was 30 weeks preg and they induced me. After that for about 2 weeks i heled my water in my legs untill i started to pee normal again. The more you pee the more water you will lose, but make sure your drinking alot of water to

Go start seeing a good Naturopathic Physician. There are great herbs, nutritional support, homeopathy, vitamins, minerals, etc. Naturopaths are licensed healthcare providers in the state of AZ. You need to be supported in your health by a physician who can really make a difference. Check out the website of the local Naturopathic School in tempe: www.scnm.edu to find a Naturopath in your area or check out the state association's website at aznma.org

Good Luck!

I did not have pre-eclampsia (although my sister had the advanced form called "Helps" syndrome-it's scary!) She and I both experienced severe water pooling in our legs after cesarians--over 20 lbs of it! I had a 4 day delivery followed by a cesarian, and so my feet were round like cantaloupes, my legs unrecognizable, like elephant stumps, and it WAS very painful to walk. The fluids remained for about 2-3 weeks. The best (safe) advice i can offer (that worked for me) was to take over the counter fiber pills (i also took alfala, but not sure if that helped too--haven't heard research on that one). They help to absorb some of the water quicker. A high fiber diet is good to pursue with that. Keeping your feet elevated (not just a little bit, but on a BIG, high stack of pillows, getting your feet above your heart) helps. You really have to stay off your feet and ankles as much as you can and have someone help you out around the house. Listen to you doctor, and only get up for necessary things like using the bathroom. I delayed my water expulsion because i kept getting up and walking--I couln't resist the temptation! I paid dearly for it, becuase of the pain and further swelling it caused. It takes time. If you can really stick to your guns about elevation and not being on your feet, and you still have problems after another week of diligence, i would call your doc! good luck (empathy goes out to you!)

Hi T..

I am a "survivor" of pre-emclampsia. Each recovery is different, but most do not get it for a second time. My older daughter was born a month early due to it, but my second daughter was born at the right time after a "normal" pregnancy--your OB/GYN will monitor your next pregnancy far more closely; mine saw me weekly in the last trimester, plus I did the fetal heart rate monitor at the hospital weekly...but it was very worth it.

~D.

I actually became eclamptic during labor with my first (meaning I had a grand mal siezure) due to Toxemia. I have had four subsequent pregnancies without any Toxemia at all. Currently, I am at my 17th week with my 6th pregnancy and have not had any symptoms indicating I should be concerned.

I have heard that Toxemia is more common in first pregnancies or young mothers (both were the case with me when I experienced this). I should think there is a good chance that you will not experience this again, although I am no doctor.

After delivering my first, I lost 27 lbs. overnight just with the water being released from the edema. To continue the release of water, I would suggest drinking lots and lots of water. It sounds counterintuitive, but a body that has water scarcity will hold onto it more readily. A great way to combat that is to remain very hydrated.

Congratulations and a quick recovery to your baby so you can bring him home soon!

Just a heads-up, as a few women are recommending BEDREST for you:
Immobility (bedrest) and swelling/edema in the legs CAN be a deadly combination by allowing bloodclots to form in the veins in your legs. Please talk to an MD before putting yourself on bedrest after delivering a baby. Not to scare you, just a word to the wise.
After surgery, doctors usually recommend walking: and lots of it. This forces the muscles to "pump" the fluid out of the tissues and back into your circulatory system so your body can flush it away.
Perhapse some of the PT's can recommend some simple exercises for you since you probably don't feel like doing laps.
T

T.,
So sorry for your tough times. I hope your little guy is doing o.k! I had preeclampsia too but (thankfully!) was far enough elong that my son was o.k. when he was born.
One of the best ways to get fluid out of your legs is to get them elevated above the level of your heart (i.e. flat on your back with lots of pillow under your legs). This allows the fluid to move closer to the larger areas of the lymph system to be more easily filtered back into the blood and then out through the kidneys.

Best of luck and lots of hugs!
-A.

Yes, if you can correct the imbalances in your body that caused it! Seeking out a good herbalist would be a good start, or any number of other healers. Parsley is a great diuretic, as is dandelion leaves. Celery is, too. The wonderful thing about dandelion leaves (can eat them fresh or make a tea) is that they are high in potassium. Depending on where you live in the area, I can direct you to some good healers. Take care and blessings to you! Let me know how you are doing.
C.

I had preeclampsia with my first born, ten years ago. She was born when I was only 26 weeks pregnant. While I don't remember the details about the water weight, etc. I can tell you that I had two more daughters. The second one with no complications at all. I did choose to go through a c-section again. The third one, while there were no complications, was born at 38 weeks since my blood pressure was a bit high.

I am happy to know that you are going to see the baby everyday. He will know that you are there and that you care about him. Celebrate every moment with him and make sure you document it. He will want to know about it when he grows up.

Maggie

Howdy, I had this too some 18 years ago and was hospitalized the last 6 weeks before an emergency C section. All I can tell you to do is 1) NO Salt! You would be surprized how much salt is hiding in food. 2) Try to prop your legs up as much as possible. I see you travel everyday - that's not so good. Lie on your bed, couch whatever and prop your legs up against a wall or chair. Gravity works against all of us. 3) Drink fluids that will help you eliminate urine. No Cokes. Good luck T.! S. C

Hi T.,
I also had pre-eclampsia, had a c-section and delivered at 35 weeks. The swelling of my feet and legs took about 3 weeks to go away. I don't know that you can speed up the process. Just drink plenty of water and elevate your feet when you are sitting. Good luck to you. I hope your son comes home soon!