2Nd Pregnancy Preeclampsia?

Updated on December 16, 2010
A.M. asks from Spring, TX
13 answers

Hi Moms! I've asked this in the past but thought there might be some new responses out there....I'm wondering if any of you Mom's developed Preeclampsia in your 1st pregnancy, but not your 2nd? I've been told there is no preventing it again but that many women don't develop it a second time around....just no predicting. Thoughts?
Thank you!

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B.P.

answers from Chicago on

I had preeclampsia with my first. It was so bad that I did have to have her 3 weeks early. No problems at all with my second pregnancy.

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M.C.

answers from Boston on

Developed it with 1st but with 2nd didn't show signs of it until the very end so just delivery worked for us at that point. With the 1st I was on bed rest for a month. I think the difference with the 2nd is if you had it with the 1st the OB/GYN pays close attention to any signs. Good luck!

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I developed eclampsia during delivery of my first...I don't know if that counts.
No issues with my second.

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J.S.

answers from San Antonio on

I had it with my second pregnancy but not with my 3rd or 4th. I did however still get the swelling with my 3rd pregnancy but blood pressure stayed normal.

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

Had it with the first not with the second. I have very low blood pressure so what is normal for most people is high for me. My doctor told me that I was not at any great risk with the second than with the first. I had no trouble with the second pregnancy. Or should I say, I didn't have that problem with the second pregnancy! Good luck!

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

Most doctors will tell you they don't know what causes it, although some things seem to be slight factors (obesity, age, etc. -but even those are VERY slight). I had post-partum pre-eclampsia with my first baby and nothing with my second. They did watch me like a hawk with my second baby, and my blood pressure was perfect throughout the entire pregnancy until about 10 days before my due date. It slowly started climbing, so they had me do the 24 hour pee-test to check for protein in the urine. It wasn't there, but my BP kept edging up, so 6 days before my due date they induced. I never was pre-eclamptic though or even close! Many women experience it once, but go on to have a number of other pregnancies where it's never a factor. They will watch you more closely, but you certainly aren't "guaranteed" or even highly likely to have it again.

S.H.

answers from Spokane on

I had severe preeclampsia with my first - they had to take him 5 weeks early via c-section b/c of it. I was on bedrest for 3 weeks before delivery. I was very, very sick.
With my 2nd I had very mild signs of it. My blood pressure was a bit higher than normal, but never anything to worry about. Toward my 38th week I started to get the swelling and my b.p. did start to rise but it was still nothing they were too concerned with. Although, b/c of my issues with my 1st my doctor watched me very carefully and even put me on partial bedrest at 36 weeks b/c he wanted to be safe.

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D.E.

answers from Houston on

I had that exact same experience with my children. My first pregnancy I had it andmy second one I did not; and they were only 9 months apart. I learned that every pregnancy is different just as every child is. My first pregnancy I had everything go wrong that could have - preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, gained 85 pounds, was put on bed-rest and he came at 29 weeks. Then my second one, no issues, gained 17 pounds and she came at 39 weeks. I was concerned when I found out I was pregnant again, but I had a great doctor and I think that is key. Make sure you have one you really like and trust.

So yes, no predicting it. But either way, its something you can manage and deal with. Good luck.

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D.G.

answers from Houston on

Preeclampsia is most common with first pregnancies, but having had it before does put you at higher risk of getting it again. If you do get it again it is usually milder or develops later.

Unfortunately there is no way to prevent preeclampsia, with the possible exception of a daily multivitamin containing folic acid.

Dr. Brewer's theory of preeclampsia is old, outdated, and not backed up by current research. High protein diets can even be harmful to women with underlying kidney problems (who are at higher risk of preeclampsia).

Preeclampsia is not caused by low albumin or protein, it is caused in early pregnancy by improper implantation of the placenta. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, kidney problems, auto-immune disorders, and a family history of preeclampsia. Subsequent pregnancies may tend to do better because they can take advantage of prior spiral artery remolding in the uterus.

If you are interested in learning more about recent research into preeclampsia, check out the forums at www.preeclampsia.org

I developed preeclampsia in both pregnancies, but I have more than one risk factor including a family history of preeclampsia.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I had it with my first. Never got it with my second. Well, I shouldn't say that, I guess. Toward the end of my second pregnancy (about 38 weeks) my blood pressure started to climb. I had a repeat c-section at 39 weeks, so it didn't get too high.
There isn't really any way to prevent it, but I swear that going to the chiropractor helped manage it. I very highly recommend it to every pregnant woman.

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L.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I had it with my first pregnancy but not with my second. Good luck!

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G.G.

answers from Austin on

I had it with the first and not the second. Other than being much sicker in the begging (with the 2nd), the first pregnancy was worse than the second. I also watched how I ate a little more closely. Not sure if that made a difference.

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

I had it with my first and not my 2nd. No way to really prevent it but I think having been through something before helps you plan better than the first time. You know what to eat and how to better care for yourself.

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