pre-eclampsia and VBAC

[Silvana]

I had a c-section 4.5 months ago because I had pre-eclampsia. They had tried to induce me, but after 24 hours and only very minor contractions I had a ceasarian. I wasn't dilated and they tried to break my waters (bloody painful).

What I would like to know is, can I have a VBAC the second time around, and can I do this in a public hospital? I know there are risks all round, but I know there is far more with a ceasar. Also I wasn't prepared for my ceasar, as it was an emergency.

[kelpat]

It would depend on the reasons for your first ceaser. If pre-eclempsia didn't return with your next pregnancy I don't see why you couldn't try. I had a VBAC for my third birth, through the public system and the midwifes were very supportive of my decision.
Were you full term with your last pregnancy?

[becca74]

I think you should be able to VBAC. You could even look ahead at preventing pre-eclampsia in the future...

Here is some info: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/BBWBirthStories/bbwPIHstories.htm

Antioxidants for preventing pre-eclampsia: http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004227.html


<H4 class=headline>Antioxidants in pregnancy, like vitamin C and vitamin E, for preventing pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia can occur during pregnancy when women have high blood pressure and protein in their urine. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications for women and babies, including mortality. A possible contributing factor to the development of pre-eclampsia may be the presence of excessive amounts of chemicals called 'free radicals'. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and lycopene, can neutralize free radicals and may help prevent pre-eclampsia. The review of trials found studies of not the best quality, which indicated antioxidants might reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. However, although antioxidants appeared to reduce the risk of having a small baby, there was an increase in the risk of the baby being born too soon. Further studies are needed to confirm whether or not antioxidants do more good than harm. Several trials are currently in progress on this topic.
</H4>

from: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/nutrition.asp



Preeclampsia, toxemia and eclampsia are all symptomatic degrees of the same disease that Dr. Brewer calls "metabolic toxemia of late pregnancy" (Brewer 1982). They are evidenced by symptoms of high blood pressure, edema (swelling), sudden weight gain, proteinuria (protein in the urine), spots before the eyes, headaches, elevated liver enzymes and, in the most severe cases, eclamptic seizures. It is a dangerous condition of pregnancy that can kill both mother and baby. Any one of the symptoms alone is not necessarily an indication of preeclampsia. For instance, some swelling is normal during pregnancy; and it is not uncommon for a healthy, well-nourished woman to have a month where she gains 5–10 pounds due to a normal, healthy, expanding blood volume (usually in the seventh to eighth month).
The anatomy of eclampsia is complicated, but the basis of Dr. Brewer's research is simple: Eat good food and avoid drugs. Working with a poor, malnourished population, he looked at what the women were eating and the high rate of eclampsia and other serious maternal /fetal health problems (Brewer 1982). Rather than throwing complicated, expensive technology and drugs at the problem, he did something logical—he fed them. He asked what they were eating and recommended they eat whatever healthy, whole foods were available to them. Apparently their diets were especially deficient in protein, so he recommended they eat eggs and drink milk because these were not only nourishing, but also inexpensive and easy to come by. Meat was expensive and scarce, but if the women could afford to obtain some, he recommended they add it to their diets, too. Contrary to the popular beliefs at the time, he told women to salt their food to taste. This supports an expanding blood volume necessary to support pregnancy and grow a baby. He reduced the rates of eclampsia from 40 percent to almost nothing.

[Silvana]

I was at 38 weeks. How common is it for pre-eclampsia to reoccur?

[Shanaynay]

I don't know how common it is to re-occur, but I do know it's more common in first-time mums:yes:

I had a friend who developed PE around 32 weeks with her first pg, she went on into her second pg with not a single sign of it:thumbsup:

Take some preventative measures like what Becca74 listed, and just take it as it comes:cool:

:smiliedance: VBAC

[angeltoes]

I developed severe pre-eclampsia at 30 weeks, my DS was born @ 30+3wks by emergency c/s.

I am now 18 weeks pregnant with #2 and as long as my blood pressure remains stable I have a 70-80% chance of having a normal vaginal delivery. :fingerscrossed:

PE can occur again, but if you are having your second baby with the same Daddy as your first, the chances are significantly lower.

As phin said, you really just have to wait and see. I too REALLY want a VBAC but at the end of the day, if my health isn't good then there is nothing I can do. I'll be sorry to have to have another c/s, because that will mean I never get to birth naturally, but at least I am blessed to be able to have healthy babies. That is what matters.

Ok. I'll shut up now!

[Mellymoo]

Hi girls
Saw this thread and had to reply.
With DD #1, I was also induced at about 38 weeks because I had very high BP. I was in labour 13 hours and after all that, I hadn't dilated so they couldn't break my waters. Baby was starting to stress, so they gave me an emergency c-section.
With DD #2 who is now 9 weeks old, I had a natural birth. All along I thought I would end up having a c-section again, and also thought I would have high BP again. But I had a great pregnancy, no BP problems at all. The doctor said there was no reason for me NOT to have a natural birth considering there were no problems this time round.
There was talk about me having a scheduled c-section, but at 39.5 weeks, my waters broke and I started having contractions.
I was put on a syntocin drip to quicken the contractions, bec ause when you've had a previous c-scetion, they cannot let you labour (I was told) for more than 8 hours because it puts too much pressure on the previous scar, which would possibly then be at risk of rupturing.
Anyhow, after I was put on the drip, things happened very quickly from there. I wouldn't have been able to do it without an epidural because the pain was so terrible (syntocing makes the contractions much stronger than 'normal' contractions).
And I had a beautiful little girl, and no problems with BP at all - in fact, it was a prefect pregnancy and I was so happy I had a VBAC.
Having had both, if I do have another child, I would hope it is also a natural birth, as I was back on my feet much quicker this time around.
I hope this helps some. Feel free to ask me any questions.
Good luck !!

[OJandMe]

I had PE first time round.

No sign of it so far this time round.. all my middies, Ob and GP are supporting my decision for a VBAC....

Don't wory about it... cross that bridge when you come to it. There's no reason why you can't have a VBAC next time round if the PE stays at bay.

:yes:

[madreader]

With my third baby i developed PIH and my bp was 160/110. I had my baby at 38 weeks and 2 days. Good Luck with your baby.:hugs:

[Silvana]

Thank you ladies for your advice. :) I am just going to go with the flow with my next pregnancy and make decisions based on what happens. You have all put my mind at ease.