Is it wise to attempt another pregnancy?

[expert on call]

Is it wise/safe to become pregnant a second, third, etc. time if the first pregnancy had preeclampsia? Is the risk to the mother greater with subsequent pregnancies? Will all subsequent pregnancies have preeclampsia?

Thank you.

A concerned Dad

[expert on call]

The risk of preecclampisa in a second pregnancy is somewhere between 20% and 40%. The earlier and more severe the preeclampsia was, the greater the risk.

Given that such a pregnancy should be followed as "at risk," the risk to the mother should be relatively small. Remember, we can always "cure the disease" by delivering the baby. Thus the majority of the risk is to the baby - the risk of preterm birth is the one that we cannot control well.

Is it wise? That depends on how important another child is to you. I care for many women with much greater risks who elect to have babies. It is a very personal choice. Such a pregancy needs to be followed by a good doctor who recognizes the risks. Ideally one would be followed at a level III center (major Universities, for example, ask your care provider for a listing of level II centers near you. For specialists see: www.nasshp.com and www.smfm.org.

Expert on Call

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