Another pregnancy

[momofrs]

I was just wondering if anyone (a doctor) could tell me if, because of my troubles with preeclampsia, should I not ever get pregnant again? My twin daughter's nurse told me not to be suprised if I am told this because of my preeclampsia. I had protein in my urine at 1200mg with no other symptoms other than swelling. My BP went up pretty high after delivery. I had my girls at exactly 35 weeks and they were fine. My doctor panicked because I had no other symptoms, the preeclampsia came on rapidly, and my protein was so high. I had major swelling throughout the pregnancy, but my BP and protein counts were fine. I am just curious if I shouldn't get pregnant ever again.

Amanda

[expert on call]

This lady certainly can attempt pregnancy again but might preferentially be cared for by a “high-risk” obstetric specialist (MFM subspecialist). In this respect it would be of interest to know if this was the patient’s first completed pregnancy, as well as more information on her at his time. This includes her actual blood pressure and renal test results today.

In general twin pregnancies have about a 25% of being complicated by preeclampsia, but follow the general dictum that preeclampsia in first pregnancy is unlikely to reoccur. On the other hand preeclampsia in a women who had previous pregnancies (multiparas) and who had early preeclampsia (<36wk) are more likely to have hypertension or recurrent preeclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy. At worst, however, the recurrence rate approaches 30%, meaning most succeed. More important no one can predict if the complication in the succeeding pregnancy will be mild and easily manageable, or come early and be severe enough to have to terminate the pregnancy. Thus, if this individual wishes to conceive again she need not be discouraged.

Expert on Call

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