wanting another baby

[range]

Hi my name is Laura and I am 34. I was pregnant with twins and delivered at 28 weeks. I was not feeling well and the doctor sent me to L/D and they found out one of the twins had died and I had alot of protein in my urine. My blood pressure was also so high. So they rushed me to Boston and they did an emergency c-section. My B/P was 215/161. I have high b/p to begin with and was on meds before getting pregnant. I had a little boy who was stillborn and my daughter spent 12 weeks in the NICU before coming home. She will be 2 in August.
My question is I want another baby but I am afraid. I don't know if it would be healthy for me to have another one. Did anyone here have high blood pressure and develop pre e and then have another pregnancy? Is there a chance that I won't have a problem next time? What type of meds are you on? I took Aldmet (sp?) the first time is there something else I can take?
Thanks for you help.

Laura

[akemt]

Laura,

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. I am glad that you and your daughter are doing well though. My suggestion would be to visit a perinatologist and ask them these kinds of questions. A peri can order certain blood tests to see if there might be any underlying conditions putting you at increased risk for preeclampsia (things like clotting or autoimmune disorders). They will be able to give you information specific to you. All I can give is general statistics, etc...and I am no doctor.

For ladies with chronic hypertension the stats are that 1/4 will develop what is called superimposed preeclamspia. It can be harder to diagnose because of the preexisting BP issues and possibility of organ damage. When it does happen, it seems that it is fairly nasty. The good news is that if your blood pressures are able to be controlled well by medication, your chances of a good outcome are great. Some women do go through a quite normal pregnancy, excluding the meds and extra watching from your doctor. Also, your last pregnancy being a twin pregnancy put you at increased risk, so if you were to get pregnant with a singleton, I'm sure that will better your odds compared to your last pregnancy (not that you have control over that!). You should be treated by a perinatologist (high risk specialist) from the get-go if that is possible. There are other meds that can be used durring pregancy, but you and your doctor would have to discuss which is best for you.

I hope I have helped! Please feel free to ask any more questions you might have and we'll do our best to answer.


Catherine (22), Moderator (pregnant again)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004