| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
neato1975
Starting Member
US
2 Posts |
 Posted - 12/14/2009 : 4:00:41 PM
|
I developed preeclampsia at 37 weeks...I was admitted to the hospital immediately, put on magnesium sulfate, and induced. My son was born weighing 8 lbs. and was healthy. At the time, I knew VERY little of preeclampsia and had no idea what questions to ask my doctor. My BP was normal with a week. At 6 week PP doctor visit, my doctor questioned me about having more children, at that point in time I had no intention, whatsoever, of having another baby, due to a combination of things. She seemed to downplay the preeclampsia, saying it was less likely to happen in a second pregnancy so long as it was the same father.
It is now a little over 2 years later and thoughts of having another baby are racing through my mind. To be honest, I hadn't factored the whole preeclampsia issue in...I guess time had put it to the back of my mind. A well meaning relative, who is a nurse, sent me a study on preeclampsia. I am sure it was meant to ease my mind, but now I am feeling very uneasy. I am feeling like I should not try for a second child.
I could use some advice/guidance. Are there any specific questions I should ask my doctor? |
|
|
alexa5
Advanced Member
US
554 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 08:26:13 AM
|
There are some good links to threads about what to ask your doctor I know some of the others can find for you. In the meantime you can use the search function and see if they come up.
As for having another baby, my personal opinion is that if you made it to 37 weeks and your son was healthy, you are probably in a good place to go for another...as preeclampsia can happen again, and does for many of us, but does sometimes come later and milder then the first time. If you have a MFM doctor to help monitor your pregnancy, that will be helpful to you.
As for me, I have one son, and developed pre-e at 33 weeks, and delivered then. He did go to the NICU but was a pretty healthy baby, and is doing great. I am not sure about a second one...not so much because of the pregnancy, but because I am not certain if I can handle two children. I just can't make up my mind about it! I feel blessed to have my son, and know I would be fine if he was my only one, but occasionally have thoughts about giving him a sibling.
Good luck! |
 |
|
|
neato1975
Starting Member
US
2 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 11:30:30 AM
|
Ahhh...you sound like you are in a similar situation. I have been going back and forth about another baby for a couple of months now. Until recently, I had no desire to have another. I don't know if I can swing a toddler and a newborn or want to. I would love for him to have a sibling, but don't know if I am up for the challenge.
My thoughts up until recently had only been whether or not I wanted to have another baby. Like I said, I wasn't even adding in the PE factor. I think my aunt thought that was why I was hesitant and thought she'd try to ease my mind...instead she brought up some new anxieties...namely bedrest with a 2 year old.
Good luck with your decision! |
|
|
|
alexa5
Advanced Member
US
554 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 3:17:21 PM
|
Thanks! I was talking to someone I don't know well yesterday and she was sharing her story about having a baby at 33 weeks and all of these major health issues the baby had. I just felt so relieved that my son was okay having been born at the same time. But it did make me think about the risks of another pregnancy... though most preemies do well, as do most pre-e pregnancies, it is still scary and it just reminded me of the things that can go wrong. So, I know what you mean when you say you forgot to factor in the pre-e factor.
Too funny that we both aren't sure if we are "up to the challenge" of having two, though I am sure most moms feel that way and adapt to their situation when the second one comes, or at least I hope that is the case! :-) |
|
|
|
glimmer
Junior Member
US
144 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 4:23:44 PM
|
| Obviously only you can decide if you want to have another baby. I have a 2yr old and a toddler and honestly had hoped to not get pre-eclampsia again. I did but it was not worse than the first time (I have two induced, but full term babies). I had it severe both times, but luckily I was able to hang on until they were full term. I did find it hard to be pregnant with a 2yr old (with or without PE) and it is a lot of work to have two under two, but if it is what you want (and what I did) then you can handle it. So in short, since you made it full term, and most likely wouldn't have it worse than the first time, I wouldn't give this factor a lot of weight in your decision. |
|
|
|
glimmer
Junior Member
US
144 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 4:25:20 PM
|
| hmm. I mean newborn and toddler. |
|
|
|
Caryn
Ask the Experienced Moderator
USA
8903 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 10:48:32 PM
|
A consult with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist would probably prove valuable. These decisions have to be all about how you weight your risks, and it's easier to do that if you know precisely what they are. :-)
It is true that most of our posters have PE later and more mildly, though that is not true for many people. Some posters have had, for example, PE at 37 weeks and then PE at 24 weeks. Unfortunately not even an expert researcher/clinician can tell the future, but one *could* assess your individual history and look at the possibility of underlying conditions like autoimmune disease or thrombophilias that might be treatable.
Pretty much all of the posters here have been in the same boat. :-) |
Science is getting us closer to finding a cause, and even a cure. The articles you don't want to miss:
The Preeclampsia Puzzle (New Yorker) and Silent Struggle: A New Theory of Pregnancy (New York Times)
Looking for recent articles and studies? Lectures from researchers? A chance to participate in research?
Caryn, who is not a doctor and who talks about science stuff *way* too much
DS Oscar born by emergent C-section at 34 weeks for fetal indicators, due to severe PE |
|
|
|
glimmer
Junior Member
US
144 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 1:37:45 PM
|
I agree with what Caryn sais, but would like another aspect:
the people on this forum are a selected group that are here for a reason. It is also possible, that you wouldn't develop preeclampsia again at all and I beleive this probably is higher for the general population than having it again... |
|
|
|
CountryMom27
Starting Member
17 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 2:22:15 PM
|
I had pre-e diagnosed at 39 weeks with my first, and 26 weeks with my second. Both cases were mild but difficult, both children were fine and thankfully full-term. I am contemplating a third though my in-laws and extended family think I'm nuts.
I feel that you two should decide what's best for your family and what's in your heart, not what your risks are. You should also consider a preconception visit to an MFM. I never saw one in either pregnancy and now am making an appointment to understand what my risks truly are. I suspect that I have an underlying condition as I've had clotting disorders before and am slightly perturbed that my caregivers never mentioned this as a possibly treated condition, rather than just strict bedrest which was terrible.
That said, pray on it, see what is in your heart. You never know what a pregnancy may bring - statistically you are at no greater risk for pre-e than any other woman even though you had it before. I'd confirm that with a specialist but that may ease your (and your husband's) mind. GL! |
DS1 - 2/04 - pre-e at 39 weeks, emergency c-sec, post-partum pre-e
DS2 - 5/06 - PIH at 25 weeks, pre-e at 26 weeks, VBAC at term at 37 weeks
I survived 11 weeks of bedrest with a toddler! |
|
|
|
Caryn
Ask the Experienced Moderator
USA
8903 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 4:08:32 PM
|
Women who've had preeclampsia are at higher risk to develop it again than the average population rate, which runs at about 5% (or 1 in 20.). With a hx of PE at term, risk is around 20% (or 1 in 5), with a hx at 32-36 weeks it is around 40% (or 2 in 5) and it keeps going up for earlier gestational ages. I'd link to the Experts discussion of this but am on my phone -- I think it's topic ID 331 or 321 -- so interested parties will have to look in Ask The Experts!
As countrymom points out, the question is how you assess your values relative to your risks. While an MFM can help you figure out your risks, you're the one who knows what you desire and what you value and what you can do given what your resources are (level of insurance, level of family support, etc.) |
Science is getting us closer to finding a cause, and even a cure. The articles you don't want to miss:
The Preeclampsia Puzzle (New Yorker) and Silent Struggle: A New Theory of Pregnancy (New York Times)
Looking for recent articles and studies? Lectures from researchers? A chance to participate in research?
Caryn, who is not a doctor and who talks about science stuff *way* too much
DS Oscar born by emergent C-section at 34 weeks for fetal indicators, due to severe PE |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Chat | Profile
|
Register
|
Active Topics
|
Members
|
Search
|
FAQ
Chance another baby...or not?!?
