I had it with my first pregnancy (twins) and had some serious complications. Was monitored closely in my second and never developed it.

I mean yes you are more likely to get it in subsequent pregnancies. But you’re also in an entirely different category of pregnant lady now.

I had severe pre e/hellp on baby 1 and went on to have two additional babies and got mild pre e both times but I was on aspirin and HEAVILY monitored for the other two. There was no emergency out of nowhere I was watched like a hawk. Scheduled c sections at 39 weeks, weekly scans started at 28 weeks (and it was biweekly before that).

Just saying the danger of pre e is sudden onset (eclampsia comes from the greek word for lightening). When you’ve had it once there is much less risk because they just keep checking you constantly. I got a blood pressure cuff at home and was always taking my readings.

Anyway it’s of course scary and there is danger but it is a more complicated calculus than “will I get it again”

Not much to research it'll start early and onset faster. If you got it at 34 weeks you might not make it to viability with the next child.

I had postpartum preeclampsia with my first and not my second. Was high risk though and had GD with the second. I took low dose aspirin for the second pregnancy. See an MFM, I like the group at Sibley.

There is a guideline that recommends low dose aspirin prenatally and into the 1st trimester to reduce risk of preeclampsia.

Good luck. Hope it works out for you.

Anonymous wrote:Helaine Landy at Georgetown. I had HELLP at almost 32 weeks with my first pregnancy. Had 2 successful pregnancies to full term and no pre-e after. I have 2 other friends who also had normal pregnancies after.

+1 My kids are 19 and 17 now. PE at 30 weeks, HELLP at 33/34 for the first kid a girl. Second kid is a boy, made it to 37 weeks, BP crept up so induced, PIH at delivery. I was too scared to try for a third.

Helaine Landy at Georgetown. I had HELLP at almost 32 weeks with my first pregnancy. Had 2 successful pregnancies to full term and no pre-e after. I have 2 other friends who also had normal pregnancies after.

I know one data point doesn’t really mean anything but I had severe pre-e with my first, had to deliver him at 35 weeks.

With my 2nd, no pre-e. I was induced at 38 weeks based on my history, but I didn’t have any signs of pre-e.

Both pregnancies were boys (I’ve heard that increases the likelihood of pre-e).

My docs told me I was at higher risk but that every pregnancy is different.

They had me to NSTs frequently with my 2nd and I think I maybe some extra ultrasounds and monitoring but that was it.

PP: it’s Garima Sharma, no C.

Talk to Garima Scharma out of Inova Fairfax. She’s a cardiologist who specializes in pregnant and postpartum cardiac issues. I’d recommend her in conjunction with an MFM there. It’s not true that it always recurs, chances are higher than normal population that it will, but I’ve actually seen and heard from friends who had it in one pregnancy and not in another.

Agree with rec to see an mfm

I would recommend seeing an MFM, I believe they do this type of consult. When I saw mFM for my last pregnancy she said to feel free to come back and chat before ever getting pregnant again. I stopped at 2

There’s also a Facebook group that may have resources: Preeclampsia, Eclampsia & HELLP Syndrome Survivors Global Support Network.

Preeclampsia tends to be milder the second time, but that’s not a guarantee. For me it was true. First pregnancy, severe postpartum pre E and had to be re-admitted a few days after birth and put on a mag drip. It was scary and traumatic! Second pregnancy, obviously monitored very carefully. Delivered at 38 weeks when my BP started to get spiky. Urine test didn’t come in til after birth but it confirmed mild pre-e setting in.

Good luck working through it.

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know who had it also got it subsequently.

OP here. That’s my perception as well. I’d like to confirm that’s correct before making the decision to not have more kids.

Everyone I know who had it also got it subsequently.

Does anyone know a specialist in the area where I can get a consult about the likelihood of developing preeclampsia in a future pregnancy? I can always talk to my OB, but I'm wondering if there's anyone who specializes in the subject.

For background, in my last pregnancy I developed preeclampsia at 34 weeks. It had a very rapid onset and involved severe features. I think this means we won't try for another child, but I'd like to discuss the risks before making a final decision.