Deleted
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May 18, 2024 4:53:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 6:59:00 GMT
Just a quick question: were others of you told not to get pg again because of pre-eclampsia? My now 13 year old was taken at 37 weeks because I developed pre-eclampsia and I was told "don't get pg again." Is that really outdated thinking? (she was my fourth - trust me, we weren't having any more!) No one ever told me outright not to have more. Keep in mind that I have also have type 1 diabetes. The perinatologist that delivered my first had never seen me before that day. He was the doctor on call. My husband said the doctor asked if I wanted a tubal done because it would be easy with the c-section. I don't remember him asking me. One of my internist kept telling me when I was preparing to get pregnant with my second kept telling me, "you know you are high risk right?" I finally felt ready and that appointment he gave me the green flag. My internist with my third kept telling me, "you can adopt", but when I felt my body was ready I told her that I was going to try and she never said anything about adopting again. When I told my OB I wanted a tubal with my third c-section he agreed it was a good idea. Lol at that point he didn't tell me because every single time I saw him I told him I wanted it done.
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 4:53:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 7:29:45 GMT
I understand the stir-crazy from bedrest, Anne-Marie! With my first one, my OB had my on bedrest for about 5 weeks before my BP skyrocketed, and all that HELLP mess happened. I hated being "confined". But now, if I thought it would help us hold a few more weeks, I'd do it in a heartbeat. This is just too early. We homeschool, and while that would be the hardest to accomodate- we can do that from my bed, if we need to. Love the flexibility of homeschooling! My boys are 8 1/2 and almost 6, so they're pretty self-sufficient... when they want to be. Once we found out we were expecting another one, their chore charts changed a bit from "learn to take care of myself and my stuff" to "learn simple, basic household chores to help keep the household running". LOL. They're rockstars, really! And cannot wait to meet their little brother. They love feeling him kick and move (we call him Ninja because he's so active), they talk and sing to him daily- the younger one is already telling him jokes. I appreciate hearing your stories- and knowing how long your little ones were in NICU, since that's the part of this craziness we've never experienced before. It makes all of this feel more doable! We can do this!!! You would think I would deal best with my third child in the NICU since I had the experience, but that wasn't the case. My 31 weekend stayed in the NICU only 2 weeks. His biggest problem was he wanted to sleep intend of eat! My 35 weekend was there all of 4 days. So when I had my 33 weekend I was expecting just about a week. Logically I knew he would most like be there longer, but since my kids don't spend long in the NICU he wouldn't either. However, he dragged out 5.5 weeks and I definitely had the sense that he didn't want to stay around here on earth till the last few days. Long story short he made a sudden turn around and was ready to go within a few days. I think if you prepare yourself realistically for the worst then it is easier to deal with the setbacks. That doesn't mean doom and gloom. Just know he/she will most likely spend time there if born early and then you can celebrate when things go well. Just thought of one other thing. Sometimes I had the hardest time going to the NICU on my own. I couldn't drive so I had to rely on others for that, but it was the emotion of going that was tough. I had a hard time on the way there knowing I would be coming home yet again without my child. Mom's with preemies may not feel that or they may, but just be aware that you may feel things you didn't expect to feel and it is ok. I had a whole lot of emotions that I never expected to feel and felt lonely at times because of that. Just know you are not alone. We're here for you, or anyone else here dealing with it.
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Post by AN on Nov 3, 2015 10:29:54 GMT
One of my girlfriends had her first baby in late Nov 2014 and her second baby in early Oct 2015 (oops). She had severe pre-eclampsia with both and was induced/c-section at around 32 weeks.
With the first baby, she was on bedrest from 27 or 28 weeks. Apparently a lot changed in the last year though, and bed rest is no longer indicated, but rather limiting strenuous activity (she mentioned several of the guidelines had changed a lot in the last year, I don't remember others).
After first baby, as melissa said, her doctor told her there was no reason to assume it would reoccur in her second pregnancy. It did though, and I think maybe even a tiny bit earlier than with her first pregnancy. I'm not sure if 2 pregnancies so close together impacted that. They are done now after 2 due to the extreme pre-eclampsia.
I think baby #1 spent 4-5 weeks in NICU, and looks like baby #2 is on track for the same. Other than just time to develop a bit more and learn to eat, both babies do seem quite healthy without any obvious issues (yet), even being 2 months early.
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lindawn7
Shy Member
Posts: 26
Jul 13, 2015 3:09:21 GMT
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Post by lindawn7 on Nov 3, 2015 12:52:04 GMT
My daughter was diagnosed with HELPP at 36 weeks with her first baby and had an emergency C-section. The next two pregnancies she stuck to the Brewers diet and had Vbac water births. The theory behind the diet is eating high protein increases your blood volume and less stress on your organs.
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Post by welshjenni on Nov 3, 2015 13:17:36 GMT
Warning * baby loss but followed with positive outcome I had my first child 24 years ago when I was 36. My routine check up with my GP at 26 weeks showed +++ protein and 220/180 BP. Straight to hospital and had an emergency C section that evening, they worked on me for a long time afterwards as I was going into renal failure. Benjamin was just 1lb 10oz - seemingly the placenta hadn't been working efficiently and he was already small for dates. I remained in High Dependancy for a couple of days so didn't see Ben for little while. He had heart and lung problems and was ventilated for quite a while. He suffered a brain haemorrhage very early on and the minister was called to Christen him - that was the first time that Ben and I met. Well he was a little fighter and had overcame many obstacles until we brought him home just 1 month after his due date. Within days he deteriorated and was rushed to hospital - put on oxygen (which he remained on permanently after that). In and out of hospital became our life. Between his heart and lung problems he spend half of his short life in hospital until, at 16 months, he finally succumbed to a chest infection. Fast forward another 3 years (aged 40) and after a couple years of fertility treatment and a closely monitored pregnancy (during which I took aspirin as studies had shown that it helped to prevent pre-eclampsia) I had a beautiful and perfectly healthy daughter by a planned C-section (just in case). Then... 6 months later I became pregnant again, completely out of the blue and whilst I was breastfeeding full time and had not had a return of my periods. Aspirin and close monitoring followed again by a planned C-section resulted in a healthy and handsome son. I realise that things will have changed since my pregnancies but pregnancy #1 was quite normal until that 26 week check and then there was no option but to deliver, to save my own life, they didn't think that my son would survive. I hope that I haven't scared anyone over pre-eclampsia - my case was rather extreme - but I wanted to share how, even after a really bad episode, you can go on to have perfectly healthy children - even at an advanced age :-) BTW my OB suggested sterilization at the same time as my last delivery: having had years of unco-operative ovaries (I had been told in my 20's that I couldn't have children, due to severe endometriosis ) they had sprung into action at an age when they should have started bowing out. The endo was subsequently sorted out with a full hysterectomy/ovaries.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Nov 3, 2015 19:11:47 GMT
This is a little PSA.
I wonder if many are aware of the implications of certain pregnancy complications on future health.
Gestational diabetics carry a 50% risk of developing diabetes (insulin resistant variety) later in life.
The numbers for pre-eclamptics are less clear because of the wide variety of mild to severe and gestational age of onset/delivery. Nevertheless, pre-eclampsia of ANY variety is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease later in life- mainly ischemic heart disease (ie heart attack) and stroke.
Bottom line, if you had one of these complications while pregnant, it should become even greater motivation for eating a healthier diet and getting sufficient exercise. I had both and I have fallen well off track this past year. Was just reading an article on the low rate of internist recognition of these risks and it gave me new inspiration!
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Post by cynipidae17 on Nov 3, 2015 19:48:27 GMT
melissa, I was told that it was the HELLP that makes things unpredictable? and since I had it once it could occur again and at any point during the third trimester? Since I had HELLP with my second, I was told to really think before getting pregnant again. Also if I was interested in a third baby to work on getting really healthy. My 2nd was born at 32 1/2 weeks and spent 6 1/2 weeks in the NICU due to plain stubbornness. I think the major factor for me was that I went from no signs of pre-eclampsia to having HELP and waking up in the ICU. cyndijane, sending you healthy pregnancy vibes.
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Post by welshjenni on Nov 3, 2015 19:58:27 GMT
This is a little PSA. I wonder if many are aware of the implications of certain pregnancy complications on future health. Gestational diabetics carry a 50% risk of developing diabetes (insulin resistant variety) later in life. The numbers for pre-eclamptics are less clear because of the wide variety of mild to severe and gestational age of onset/delivery. Nevertheless, pre-eclampsia of ANY variety is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease later in life- mainly ischemic heart disease (ie heart attack) and stroke. Bottom line, if you had one of these complications while pregnant, it should become even greater motivation for eating a healthier diet and getting sufficient exercise. I had both and I have fallen well off track this past year. Was just reading an article on the low rate of internist recognition of these risks and it gave me new inspiration! Thanks for the heads up Melissa, I really need to get my act together, both with my weight and exercise, so this information will help with my motivation. I shall also discuss my risk factors next time I see my GP. Here's to a healthy future
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Nov 3, 2015 20:24:59 GMT
was told that it was the HELLP that makes things unpredictable? and since I had it once it could occur again and at any point during the third trimester? Yes and no. The highest rate of HELLP with pre-eclampsia recurrence is in those who had it in the second trimester. The rate or recurrence in a future pregnancy is up to 50%, depending on who you read and depending on how severe and how early into the second trimester. Many women with severe HELLP have some underlying issue, often not known at the time of the disease... things like autoimmune disease and various phospholipid antibodies, some of which we are still gaining new information on, plus the normal risk factors. As far as third trimester HELLP, the recurrence rate is much lower. More like 15%-ish... a bit higher earlier in the third trimester and probably less than 10% for those at 37 weeks and beyond. cynipidae17, if you truly want a third baby, you should consider a preconceptual visit with a high risk pregnancy specialist (maternal fetal medicine) who will likely recommend evaluation for various pre-existing conditions and can adequately counsel you on your own specific risks.
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Post by cynipidae17 on Nov 3, 2015 20:51:38 GMT
Thanks melissa I know I missed some of that when my OB was talking to me. We decided to stick with our two so no worries for me
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Nov 4, 2015 0:22:52 GMT
I shall also discuss my risk factors next time I see my GP. The article was actually a study looking at whether doctors appropriately screen based on pregnancy history. It turns out that a good number of internists never ask for a thorough pregnancy history, if they ask for one at all. It doesn't even need to be very thorough. It needs to cover PIH, pre-eclampsia with or without help (and weeks of gestation), growth restriction, and gestational diabetes. I read it today so I should remember the %s, but I don't. Either way, a significant number of internists in the study were not aware of these pregnancy issues as risk factors for cardiovascular health and diabetes. That's right.. even pre-eclampsia without gestational diabetes seems to be a risk factor for diabetes later in life. Crazy, huh?
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Post by welshjenni on Nov 5, 2015 4:38:16 GMT
I shall also discuss my risk factors next time I see my GP. The article was actually a study looking at whether doctors appropriately screen based on pregnancy history. It turns out that a good number of internists never ask for a thorough pregnancy history, if they ask for one at all. It doesn't even need to be very thorough. It needs to cover PIH, pre-eclampsia with or without help (and weeks of gestation), growth restriction, and gestational diabetes. I read it today so I should remember the %s, but I don't. Either way, a significant number of internists in the study were not aware of these pregnancy issues as risk factors for cardiovascular health and diabetes. That's right.. even pre-eclampsia without gestational diabetes seems to be a risk factor for diabetes later in life. Crazy, huh? I have never been asked about my pregnancies when my GP has done risk assessments so I shall certainly mention this, thanks again Melissa.
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