Prevention Second time around

[IttyBitty]

Hi all.
Just wondering, with people who have had severe eclampsia first time round, what doctors do to help prevent it in a second pregnancy?
After i had darling daughter (2.5 years ago) Doctors said if i was to fall pregnant again i would be on medication from 12 weeks and possible bed rest. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about the chances of this happening etc.

I am not pregnant or ttc atm, just curious.

[Lastcenturymum]

I don't think you can do anything to prevent it. Also it can happen with your first, but not with subsequent ones. That was my case, the Dr monitored me same as usual, and while my BP rose with the others at the end I didn't need medication. I'm surprised he made a suggestion/warning like that when it may not even happen. Sure it does for some as women in the section have posted, but I don't see how he could predict that with you. Dr will keep a close eye on you anyway

[meagss]

:iagree:
You can't prevent it happening again and there's no true preventitive medication to take. Your chances of having it second time around are much, much slimmer though (that is, if you are with the same partner as your first baby). And even if it did happen again it would more than likely be a lot milder.

That said, a specialist I saw when carrying my second baby advised me to take a calcium supplement throughout my pregnancy (apparently new research has shown that calcium can somehow help prevent pre-e) and also I was advised by my obstetrician to take a low dose aspirin daily from 12 weeks - this thins your blood, in the aim of preventing blood clots forming and stopping nutrients getting from the placenta to the baby (as is what happens with pre-e and why many babies of pre-e women are born at a low birth-weight for their gestation).

Good luck! For what it's worth, my second pregnancy was physically perfect.

[IttyBitty]

Try convincing Hubby of all this PLEASE...
We went and seen my GP on wednesday, and she more or less said to us "You have a perfect little girl, why would you want to risk having a nother one.... " Um..... that scared my hubby away and now doesnt even want to talk about having a second one... :crying:

I dont know what to do... I so desperatly want to have another baby....

Thanks for all your comments to by the way... they have really given ME confidence in trying again.....

[meagss]

OMG ittybitty, I can't believe your GP said that to you! That is criminal! Has she given you any statistics or odds for it happening second time round? If not, how on earth can she say such a thing?

I'm begging you, please take yourself and your hubby off to another doctor and get a second opinion.
Your current GP sounds like she should have gone out with Noah and the ark.

I found this on www.patient.co.uk but have read it many times before:

If you had pre-eclampsia in your first pregnancy, you have about a 1 in 10 chance of it recurring in future pregnancies. However, this means you have about a 9 in 10 chance of it not happening again. There is no way of predicting if you will develop it again.

The only reason you would have a slightly higher risk than 1 in 10 of getting it again is if any of these apply to you:
*Have a family history of pre-eclampsia. Particularly if it occurred in your mother or sister.
*Had high blood pressure before the pregnancy started.
*Have diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), or chronic (persistent) kidney disease.
*Are aged below 20 or above 35.
*Have a pregnancy with twins, triplets, or more.
*Are obese.
Even if anything on that list IS a concern, I still don't see how a doctor can tell you it would be better for you not to have another child!!!

[melbryan]

I got told the same thing. I had it with Ds1 but never had it with my 2 subsequent pregnancies.
I don't know how they can say that I think all pregnancies are different adn you have to wait and see.

[MrsDribbleDrawers]

I just saw this post! How dare a doctor say that to you!! Personally, I'd be looking for a new doctor! Tell hubby you've done some research and want a second opinion. Try and find a doctor at a different surgery, who doesn't have your full medical history in front of them (which may bias their opinion!)

That said, I didn't have PE with my first, but did with my second (different fathers), so did my research - and I've been taking calcium supplements ever since! From what I read, it seems that lack of calcium when the placenta is developing may play a part in PE developing during pregnancy... I don't drink milk, and while I took elevit for the iron, I was concerned that there wasn't enough calcium, but was advised it was okay "if you follow the RDI for calcium" (which I don't IYKWIM) and, as others have said, low dose aspirin during pregnancy seems to help, too.

Hope you can convince hubby to at least do some more research - seems awful that your doctor said that, when chances are high that it won't happen in subsequent pregnancies!!

[IttyBitty]

Hi All.
Thankyou so much for your replys. Hubby and i are have to see specialist and midwives on the 9th september. So hopefully.....:fingerscrossed:

I dont think i fall into any of those categories listed for "Risks" I am only 20 though.....

Anyways thankyou again, will print this off and show hubby..
Take care.

[meagss]

Good luck ittybitty, you certainly deserve to have another little baby. You will be fine. But even if it does happen again, you will be monitored a lot closer this time anyway, so your carers will be on to it earlier. And you yourself will also be more aware of the symptoms (swelling, headaches, flashing lights in your eyes etc).
Keep us posted!