Chronic hypertension/delivered 2nd baby?

[jenniferf]

I am currently only on labetolol, but during my last pregnancy I was on labetolol and methyldopa.

[leeann34]

May I ask you what two blood pressure medications you were on? I am on three right now. I am still having some problems with my BP. I am on clonidine, labetolol, and triamterene (a diuretic).

[jenniferf]

Leeann, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. I had CHT prior to my first pregnancy. I developed PE & HELLP at 21 weeks and my son Will was born at 24 weeks. He pasted away the next day. Like many others have suggested, I was tested for underlying conditions but all came up negative. I went on to have a successful pregnancy after that. My son Nicholas was born at 36 weeks, 5 days. He spent 1 day in the NICU for monitoring. There were a lot of appointments, ultrasounds and weekly 24 hour urine collections while pregnant with him. I was put on bedrest at 27 weeks as a precaution. I spilled protein the entire pregnancy (actually even before becoming pregnant again) and at 35 weeks it was up to 314 mg. My BP was controlled on 2 medications the entire pregnancy. I hope this helps.

[missgamecock]

A second and third try here. I was not nearly as severe as I was with my first. I almost died with her. I had well controlled bp between pregnancies. I did develop severe pih with my second and mild pe with my third. They were not taking chances with my history. My bp is totally back to normal. Even sick as a dog right now with the flu, my bp was 126/80 today with sudafed and albuterol. I'm sorry for the loss of your baby. The key is to have vigilant drs that do not take chances and watch you like a hawk. I have never made it past 36 weeks. My body keels at 32-34 weeks as my peri puts it.

I am on 5mg ziac daily for my bp to control it.

[blythe]

http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewt ... ,pregnancy
may give you some hope, too...

[leeann34]

Great! That is great new! Gives me hope!

[ladybug76135]

Leeann,
I developed pre-eclampsia with my first at 26 weeks and delivered at 28. The MFM felt it was from undiagnosed chronic hypertension. We decided to try for #2 about 2 years later. I was still hypertensive but very well controlled. My 2nd pregnancy was delivered at 37 weeks on the nose. I did start getting sick at the end but not near as bad as the first time. I will say that pregnancy #2 came with a LOT of doctor's appointments, but that was ok because it had a successful result.

Good luck!

[leeann34]

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I will also look at the MFM locator for my area. Thank you.

[amanda]

Leeann -
Count me also as one who went on to have a successful pregnancy after a loss with chronic hypertension. I was told that having well controlled hypertension is essential prior to your pregnancy since, when you become pregnant your baby 'adjusts' to that blood pressure. Like Norlisa I also had a vigilant perinatologist that was also well versed in not only why I was hypertensive (mine was due to chronic kidney disease) but also had treated many women with it.

I have frequent ultrasounds to check the growth of my baby and also was on hospital bedrest for 4 weeks prior to delivering. My daughter was born at 33/5 and did wonderfully in the NICU. I did develop PE however it was considered mild.

Those preexisting condition tests are really important as is the perinatologist. I wish you only the very best of luck and a successful second pregnancy. Know too that I'll be thinking of you in the weeks to come and hope you find some answers that help make your decision.

[norlisa k]

Hi Lee Ann,

I am so sorry to hear that you lost your first daughter to preeclampsia.

I had chronic hypertension before my first pregnancy. The twins made it to 38.4 weeks gestational age, and I got preeclampsia postpartum. My second pregnancy was six years later, and the pregnancy went to 36 weeks. My doctor said that I started vasoconstricting at 34 weeks, but he managed to get the pregnancy to 36 weeks. All of the children are healthy.

The hypertension was and is controlled, and the key to the pregnancies being healthy for me in both cases was a vigilant perinatologist, extremely knowledgeable in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and my husband, doctor and myself being a team. Sadly no one can predict whether or when one will get preeclampsia, but having a great doctor and medical team who was there greatly helped with peace of mind.

To find a perinatologist/maternal-fetal specialist in your area, go to http://www.smfm.org and go under "Patient Resources." There is a physician locator that will help you find perinatologists in your area.

Wishing you the best,