Congratulations on the new pregnancy. It is a very
exciting time but,
because of the potential for pregnancy induced
hypertension, it is also
stressful. You, in a way, are in a good position,
though. You know
what this disease is and what to look out for. I'm
pretty sure that the
demand on your time during the pregnancy will tax you
physically and
emotionally, but your knowledge of the disease should
help put you and
your wife more at ease.

Keep vigilant, be strong and good luck.

congratulations. Wishing you the best!

Welcome back and congratulations!

Hi again and congratulations on number 5! I pray that this pregnancy goes smoothly. All day morning sickness is no fun. Mine lasted for nearly 3 months. Hang in there....

Well, we have taken the big plunge.

My wife went to the OB yesterday and we are pregnant with number 5. They did the ultrasound and heard the heartbeat even though we are only about 6 weeks pregnant.

My wife saw a different perinatal doc before we got pregnant and she felt very confident that my wife will not have any issues with PIH as long as she stays on the BP meds. It scares me a little that this is a theory ... and it can only be tested by waiting another 20 some weeks and seeing what happens.

I am feeling confident and have only to look at my sweet little daughter (who is still a plump little ball of smiles) to remind myself that we say some bad stuff last time and still made it through okay.

Well, back to helping her deal with "all day morning sickness" [:)]

Glad to hear that everyone is doing so well. Sorry to hear about the chronic high blood pressure that your wife has. I'm not a doctor, but my wife is living proof that what the high-risk obstetrician said is true: Norlisa was on the blood pressure medication atenolol throughout her pregnancy, didn't "suffer," wasn't in any danger, and didn't develop pregnancy-induced hypertension nor preeclampsia while pregnant. Whatever you and your wife decide next, I'm glad that you have a perinatologist who has reviewed your wife's records.

Great news about Gianna growing so well! You have Norlisa and my continued prayers that you and your family continue to grow well with health and happiness.

Thank you for the update! It sounds like Gianna is a lot of fun!! Hope Kelly's bp stays under control...

So glad for the update and how well your little one is doing. Good luck!

Great update...So glad that everyone is doing so well. Sorry your wife is having to be medicated, but at least it is controlling it.

Take care,

Well, six months later and I wanted to post a follow-up.

First, thank you again to everyone. You all were so helpful and supportive. Thanks again.

Now, on to the news -

Our little baby girl is FAT, and I mean that in a good way. She came out nursing and just plumped right up. She started trying to steal her sisters' food two weeks ago, she we have even started her on solids! She is our best eater yet. She is 95% for weight and doing great.

My wife is now on BP meds 3 times a day. Here's a shocker -- she has chronic high BP! Her BP came down a little after the birth, but it was still all over the place. We gave up on the OB and went back to our regular physician. He switched her BP med to something safe for nursing and she has been fine since.

We have since seen another high risk OB and reviewed the case. It is her opinion that most of the suffering and danger my wife went through was completely unneccesary. If she had been on the BP meds throughout the entire pregnancy, her BP should have stayed a lot lower a lot longer. She wants us to wait 12 months to make sure the BP is definitely controlled. If so, she is okay with us having another one ... but we will see. We are so lucky and thankful to have the 4 wonderful children we have and we are over 35 now, so the risk level just keeps going up.

Anyway, I wanted to just stop by and give an update. We are doing great!

Thank you again for everything and God Bless You All!