Went to my 8 week PP (also had a 6 week with our other OB). 24 came back at 77, so yay! I'm still going to get referred to a nephrologist. Not sure what I should ask them... anyone met with one? I'm not sure what to expect.

I will also follow up with my PCP. My pre-pregnancy BP was 110/50s and 60s. Now it's 120s and 30s/70s and 80s, which I guess is my new normal. And I'll follow up with an optomologist- my right eye I think took a bit of a hit... things out of it are fuzzy and it feels "tired" for lack of any better description.

Continuing to feel defeated that things didn't just go back to normal like they did after our 2nd. Feeling old!

That's really interesting... I didn't think to follow up about that. My husband actually had a random bout of high blood pressure not too long ago (maybe I'm contagious!) and had some eye issues at the same time- and sure enough he had some bleeding from one of the nerves I think? Something with the retina.

I'm sure I'm due for an eye exam and might follow up with that as well. I'm very much wanting to cover all my bases and go forward with life with either a clean bill of health or at least knowing what to watch out for.

For what it's worth mentioning, after this pregnancy I will also get my eyes checked with an opthamologist. During my last eye exam just a few weeks back, they found that my retinal blood vessels appeared to be as if I had high blood pressure (retinopathy) or diabetes, which I don't. I just wonder if it could be a left over from my last PE pregnancy where I had high-blood pressure.

Lauren, really good hearing everything your doctors are doing for you PP, thanks for sharing! We've had quite a few moms who have rebounded fine after the first few kids and the "last" has put their bodies over the edge a bit. Maybe it's just that we're also getting older, but it does seem that repeated PE takes its toll on us. There are researchers working on the long term effects, we'll keep posting as the studies come out!

And Mistie, if you're curious, search Caryn's posts on paternity, she's collected a lot of great information
http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewt ... 28&t=26469
I am also 39, and while objectively I know I'm not, wow do I feel old .

I had my appointment today. My BP is still totally labile, though I do think it's getting a lil' more normal... About a week PP it was dropping so low mid morning I was getting dizzy so (with Dr approval) dropped to just a lunch dose instead of AM/PM dosages. Now my morning is creeping back up so my doctor said she trusts my judgement for when to take two doses and when to just keep a lunch dose. I'm up for a midnight-ish feed anyway.

As far as testing follow up goes, I will go back to our provider who watched over us our last week at the "big" hospital at 6 weeks PP to review the placenta pathology reports and monitor BP, then I will see my regular "local" OB at 8 weeks PP and see where we stand BP wise, I'll also do a 24 hour since our levels started high to begin with. From there we'll decide if she wants to send me off to my PCP, nephrologist or both. Because I also had GD, I'll also do a blood test (forget which one... A1 Ace something?), I think at 12 weeks PP.

In the meantime she reminded me to continue to monitor BP and symptoms and that things could take a full 6 weeks to get back to normal, if they are going to. After my 2nd things went back to normal like magic... this time, not so much. That and the abrpution during delivery seals the deal for me that my body is very done having kiddos.

Heather, I was actually told not to get pregnant after my 1st. I dind't listen and actually spoke to several doctors about the future pregnancies. I never got an affirmative answer in either direction. My 2nd and 3rd (only live births) were with a different father than #1. My MFM told me that it would make a difference. It did with #2 but not so much with #3. I didn't develop HELLP with my 2nd and 3rd though so that is a plus. Since I am 39.5 years old, I went ahead with tubal during my emergency c-section. I am too old.
Mistie

Hi Mistie, I'm glad you were able to find out about the cardio future risks through the PF, and I hope we can keep educating women and providers so we can take extra care of ourselves for our future health. I'm so sorry you were told to not have more children! Sometimes docs haven't seen cases as bad as some that we see around here, and are frankly scared. Have you talked with an MFM? They see bad cases more often and are more likely to be optimistic about future pregnancies, and can more accurately judge your specific risks.
Ah - just saw your other post. Welcome baby Gabriel! I assume the "don't get pregnant again" was after your last pregnancy, and I'm so glad this one went relatively well.

I have to be in a week pp and then if things are going well, a 6 week pp appointment.
Interesting that you asked about future issues after pre-e. I was never told anything except I would get it again and probably should consider not having children. I'm not kidding. I found out about the cardio/bp issues from the pre-e site and a few articles my mom forwarded to me because she knows my interest in this subject. I think all providers (primary care, OB, etc) should warn of possible issues in the future.
Mistie

I'm not sure if there's a standard protocol, other than treating symptoms when necessary. We emphasize post-partum care so much because most women don't see their docs between leaving the hospital after birth and then their 6 week appointment. I'm glad you're being seen at 2 weeks pp! I'd just ask your doc what tests they recommend and why, and let us know, I'm interested in the differences in care.

One thing the Preeclampsia Foundation has been working on is to increase awareness that PE is a risk factor for future cardio issues. I wonder if providers are telling women with PE about that in their postpartum appointments?

I was monitored for my BP, but was switched to my primary care a few weeks pp who then decided when it was time to wean me off. My OB ran some blood tests, checked on my c-section scar, but did not do a 24-hour urine collection. They did do a dip though. A few months after I saw a cardiologist to check my heart and did a thorough physical with my primary care.