Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

[Bekster]

I'm in my 33rd week of my second pregnancy and after a checkup yesterday I have found that I am again suffering from high blood pressure. This has distressed me beyond belief because I have been told by many people...including doctors, that you should not get high blood pressure in your 2nd pregnancy unless the children are fathered by different fathers.

This is not possible but now I feel my husband is inwardly doubting me. I have done a little research and some books say that 6-8% of first time mums suffer with PIH and 4% of second time mums can also suffer. Another book states that those mums that suffered from PIH first time round are more likely to suffer second time round.

If this is the case...why have I been told that it shouldn't happen. This has made me feel guilt for something which I should not and I believe will accelerate my heart rate alone!!!!

HELP!!! Does anyone have an answer for me.

Rebecca
Blayke 30/4/04
2nd due 27/4/05

[Jake & Sarah's mum]

No offence to whoever told you that, but what a load of **** - you're either prone to high blood pressure or you're not - simple as that (this is my opinion obviously!!).

I never suffered from high blood pressure in my first pregnancy, but my second, it went through the roof - probably due to the stress of being pregnant and looking after my first child, and mine are definately both my husbands!

The last thing you need is to start stressing about that and getting even higher blood pressure than you already have - sit back, put your feet up and chill.

As long as the baby doesn't come out a different colour than the rest of your family... you have nothing to worry about!! (that's a joke - trying to cheer you up!!) ;)

[schmell]

I agree with Jake & Sarah's Mum, you either have high (or low) blood pressure or you don't!

I had relatively low BP during my first pregnancy (a whole different list of problems) and I have higher than normal BP in my 2nd pregnancy. Same parents, different babies, completely different pregnancies!!

When you think about it, how often do you get your BP checked when you are not pregnant. I know I don't get a check up regularly enough. Maybe you are prone to having higher BP every other day but as your body is working harder while you are pregnant (and you get poked and prodded every few weeks) it is now being noticed and monitored more closely.

I know it seems impossible but please don't worry yourself too much about it or you will end up with dangerously high BP. Not good for you or the little one.

Good Luck.

[Elfin]

I must admit that I am a bit confused here but I think the information you have been given relates to preeclampsia. I had severe pe in my first pregnancy and didn't get it again in my subsequent pregnancies. It is also true that with pe you only have a low chance of getting it again unless the father of the baby is different.

I understand that PIH is different to pe and you can get this at any time and with subsequent pregnancies. It also has different symptoms and consequences to pe.

[xkwzit]

Hi
Not sure if this helps you feel better - but I have read *heaps* of stuff on pg and have NEVER heard anything about different fathers having an impact on whether you have pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure. I would agree that if you've had high blood pressure before, you are probably more likely than other women to have it again, as you've already got a history of it. (You may just have it because you're so concerned about having it - vicous circle :( ).

Try not to worry (easier said than done I know :p ), no-one who knows you would doubt your honour and integrity over something like this.

Best Wishes

[Elfin]

The information about different fathers was given to me by my ob at Royal Womens'. It is also mentioned on www.preeclampsia.org website but according to that site the latest research shows that it may not be a new partner that causes a risk to subsequent pregnancies but maternal age. I think the case is there is still a fair bit of uncertainty about pe. But although I am not sure, I think PIH is different although this needs to be clarified with a doctor or one of the midwives that visit this site.

[Deb]

Hi all,

My understanding of pre-eclampsia is that it is basically your body rejecting the placenta as a 'foreign body' - which is why they say that you are less likely to get it again if the father of the baby is the same, as your body 'recognises' the genetic material 2nd time around (sorry, I'm sure there's a better way to explain that!).

I recall something like about 7-8% of the general population get PE, and something like 15% for first-timers (but this risk is reduced by 25% with 2nd baby).
I also recall reading that while PE is termed as one of the 'hypertensive illnesses of pregnancy', whether you normall have high or low blood pressure doesn't have anything to do with it (and nor does stress). I typically have low blood pressure, but I still got PE and also HELLP, which is a very rare complication of PE (only about 10% of people who get PE get it).

Hoep this helps,

Deb.

[Deb]

Hi all,

My understanding of pre-eclampsia is that it is basically your body rejecting the placenta as a 'foreign body' - which is why they say that you are less likely to get it again if the father of the baby is the same, as your body 'recognises' the genetic material 2nd time around (sorry, I'm sure there's a better way to explain that!).

I recall something like about 7-8% of the general population get PE, and something like 15% for first-timers (but this risk is reduced by 25% with 2nd baby).
I also recall reading that while PE is termed as one of the 'hypertensive illnesses of pregnancy', whether you normall have high or low blood pressure doesn't have anything to do with it (and nor does stress). I typically have low blood pressure, but I still got PE and also HELLP, which is a very rare complication of PE (only about 10% of people who get PE get it).

Hope this helps,

Deb.