Pregnancy 2, and Terrified!!!

[Mhardin]

I am currently 7 weeks pregnant (aprx) with my second child. My first, who is now 3 and wonderful and healthy was delivered at 27 wks due to severe Preeclampsia, Kidney failure and swelling in my brain. Although I know the chances are slim for it to reoccur in a second pregnancy, I'm terrified. My son and I both almost lost our lives, and we lived in the NICU for almost 3 full months. Now I have a 3 yr old who depends on me, and needs his mommy there, and I'm absolutely terrified of facing those risks again, and having someone else who really truly relies on me. Before it was just me and him, so he was my entire world and I could live in the hospital with him. I never worried about this happening because I was told I could NOT get pregnant again, there was so much scar tissue from the surgeries I went through that my only chance of getting pregnant was invitro or ASEM, which I would never go through, so this was a complete shock!!! And please don't get me wrong I feel like I have been blessed for a second time with another little miracle and I am extremely grateful, but that doesn't take away my fears....... It's really hard to get excited and let myself be happy and I am just so confused about all of this right now and just need some advice, input, anything...... please?!?!?!?!

[Rbrown2010]

congrats on your pregnancy! i too am in a similar scenario (delivered at 31 weeks due to hellp and expecting in april). i swear, with being so busy with my son, i sometimes forget that i am pregnant and then when i really stop and think about it, fear takes over me as i get closer to the half way mark and the emotions of reliving my first experience are making me scared. i just keep telling myself everything is out of my control and between taking my own bp readings and having my doctor watch me carefully after 20 weeks, i just have to have faith! i will keep you in my thoughts and hope you get a full 40 week pregnancy!

[Sargemommy10]

I will keep you in my thoughts as well! i dont have much advice to give as I am in the same situation, except my dear son is just 1...this pregnancy was a complete and total shock to us as well! I am due again in April, and I have been so busy with my son..that it seemed like most of the time I forgot I was pregnant too! now that the 20 week mark is getting closer, its starting to sink in more and I cant think about it without fear in the back of my mind. But we are all here for support and prayer, and I will keep you in my thoughts! keep us updated with how things go and just lean on your friends and family for help with your son and support through this pregnancy!

Heather

[MeghanBrowne]

Hi gals!
I had pre-e with my first (developed late and delivered at a ripe 38.5 weeks). I didn't really think too much about the seriousness of the onset of pre-e because I was induced only hours after my diagnosis. My mother had pre-e with my older brother (her 1st) but never developed it with any of the rest of us. I was SO thrilled that I would most likely not have to be induced for pre-e in subsequent pregnancies. My first is 18 months and we are Due Jan 4. I was diagnosed with mild pre-e just this week (28 weeks) after complaining of headaches and doing a 24 hr urine.

We'll be lucky if I make it to 37 weeks (Dec 14) without further complications. I have to admit that knowing so much sooner that I have it is beneficial to my prenatal care, but I really hope I don't worry myself sick about it. I was having similar symptoms (perhaps more serious... Major vision changes, etc) this early last pregnancy so i imagine I had it then too. My BP is still low-normal (110s/70s).

Major takeaways for me are: we are not exempt in second/subsequent pregnancies, and that early testing is beneficial ( especially with the added burden of taking care of existing children).

Best of luck to you. If I had known how real the Possibility Of reoccurrence was, I'd probably have asked to seek early advice from a specialist. I may do that in the future if we are lucky enough to have a third or fourth child.

[Sunshinebubs]

I can understand your fear too, I am in a similar situation. I am almost 14 weeks pregnant with no2 and absolutely terrified of getting pre-e again. My daughter is 2 and relies on me heavily.
Like the ladies have said above, it is completely out of our control. All we can do are the things that ARE in our power...eat right, stay away from things that are not recommended during pregnancy, and try to relax, go with the flow. Im assuming, like many of us, you will classed as high risk this time and therefore receive efficient care throughout your pregnancy. If you feel something isn't right at any point, push to talk to a consultant or midwife. They are there to help.

Being relaxed and positive is key. What will be will be, and you will handle what comes along. Have you got a good support network around you?

And we're always here to chat too