Pre-eclampsia - Am I worried without need?

Question

I'm pregnant with my 2nd son, due on 19th July 2007.

My first son who is now 8, was born at 34 weeks due to pre-eclampsia, he was small for dates too, weighing in at 4lb 1oz.

Anyway...I have been told that I am higher risk for pre-eclampsia again for numerous reasons and I am so frightened that I will get it again.

My consultant panicked me last week with "your blood pressure is very high and you are showing traces of protein in your urine" I have since been tested again and no traces of protein and my blood pressure is back to normal thankfully, but I feel like I am seriously worrying myself over something I have no control over! I havent spoken to anyone about it for fear they think i'm a paranoid fruitcake, I even think I am myself! LOL

I just wanted to know if others have had similar experiences really with happy endings etc or if others are worrying the same as I am...

Answer 1

I completely understand where you are coming from. I had my daughter nearly two years ago and she was also premature (28 wks) due to a life threatening form of pre-eclampsia called HELLP syndrome. It's really rare, so most people have never heard of it (unfortunately including doctors and midwives!!)
The good news is, having been through this myself the first time, the doctors will be looking out for you - more so than before. It's in their hands as well now. By worrying you will increase your blood pressure and bring on some of these symptoms so really try your best to relax.
We really want to have another child that my daughter can grow up with but the only thing holding us back is that I might get this condition again and it would all get a bit scary. Even in my case the consultant said not to let this put us off having any more children as they would monitor me continuously and I would be safer this time round than the first. Please try not to worry, take each day as it comes and if you start to see the signs that you know, call the doctor or midwife.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Ive had pre-eclampsia with all three of my children, my first was born at 32 weeks but had stopped growing at 28 weeks due to the placenta not working properly (my blood pressure was sky high) this was 13 years ago, ive had two more since then one 3 years ago and one 12 weeks ago, I had the same problem but because I had a history of it I was very closely monitored and my doctor managed to get me to 33 weeks with my 3 year old and 35 weeks with my baby, both are very fit and healthy boys. If you have a history it the docs will keep a very close eye on you, worrying will make the matter worse, try and get as much rest as you can, you will know all the signs to look for so if you feel unwell at all get checked straight away, just because you had it once doesn't necessarily mean you will get it again, so fingers crossed you will be fine this time, good luck

Answer 3

I was diagnosed with pre eclampsia at 30 weeks with my son who is now a month old. I also had gestational diabetes, requiring insulin, and was also anaemic, therefore he was born at 37 weeks.

My blood pressure was constantly high and had to go on methodopa for it, but even that didnt work. Thats why delivery is the only cure. I found that worrying about it or stressing, made it worse. I got the pre eclampsia diagnosis the same day as i had a bust up with my partner so it shows how you have to be very careful not to upset yourself or the baby. That arguement almost cost me, me and my babies life, and i know now that im going to take it much easier when i have more children. You DO have control!

I hope you have a very enjoyable pregnancy hun. You deserve it.

Answer 4

Pre-eclampsia is the most common of the serious complications of pregnancy. It is caused by a defect in the placenta, which joins mother and baby and supplies the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood. Pre-eclampsia is symptom-less in the early stages and is detectable only by regular antenatal checks on the mother's blood pressure and urine.

In its widest forms, pre-eclampsia affects about one in 10 pregnancies overall and one in 50 pregnancies severely. Pre-eclampsia can be very serious and is still responsible for the deaths of between three and five women a year as well as between 500 and 600 babies.

It is potentially life-threatening to mother and baby if allowed to develop and progress undetected.

Pre-eclampsia is curable only by delivery, which puts some babies at risk of death from prematurity. Pre-eclampsia cannot be predicted, reliably prevented or treated to allow the pregnancy to continue. Although first identified more than 150 years ago, its prime cause remains unknown.

Who is most at risk?

Most at risk are first-time mothers; the over-40s; those with a BMI over 35; women with a family history of pre-eclampsia; where it is ten years or more since a last baby; those suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease; those carrying more than one baby and those who have had it before.

What are the signs?

High blood pressure, protein in the urine and in some cases severe swelling (oedema) in the mother and, sometimes, poor growth in the baby - all of which should be detected by routine ante-natal checks.

Answer 5

I am a high risk pregnancy. This is my first and I'm only 11 weeks. I have been warned that due to my weight and border line high blood pressure I'm at risk for it. I'm trying not to worry about it because that will just raise my blood pressure even more. I had to do a 24 hour urine test so they could get a baseline of the protiens that show in my urine. I think that the best thing is to relax because you will only cause more damage if you worry...hahahaha I know not easy to do. Good luck!

Answer 6

My sister-in-law had pre-eclampsia with her first child who was born 5 weeks early. She had two more children who were born on the right dates and she was perfectly ok through the pregnancies. Having such an experience with your first child is bound to panic you and this is natural.
The more you worry yourself though the more stress you will put on yourself and this is the last thing you need when your pregnant.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and please try not to worry so much!!!

Answer 7

im high risk 2 (i have 6 weeks left with twins) and anything that can go wrong with my body is ! i went to a chemist and bought a blood pressure monitor it helps calm me down try it

Answer 8

I can't tell you not to worry cos you will. It happened to me with my 1st son 40 years ago and I still remember what you are going through but please just take care of yourself and more importantly enjoy your pregnancy and I am sure you will be OK kind regards to you all

Answer 9

if you already had it, and are showing signs of it, then of course there is need for worry. but it is proven that if the doctor catches it early enough, he can treat it, and you two will be fine.
that is odd you are having it in both pregnancies...this disease is only common in 5% of pregnancies. That is a pretty small chance!!!!