Can I minimize risk of PE?

[monicawootan]

Hello...this is my first time posting, but I've visited this site SO many times, and have found it very helpful in many ways. I'll be TTC starting in about december and I wonder if any of you who are so knowledgeable can help me with a couple of questions that I have.
Some background: My sweet daughter was born on december 6th, 2003 at 36 wks. I developed PIH at 31 wks, was on bedrest starting at 34 wks, and had official dx of PE at 34 wks. I was referred to a perinatologist at 36 wks for a NST, but my water broke and baby was born prior to that appt...
which brings us to now, we have a healthy (thank you God) baby girl and are starting to think about baby #2. I called my OB today to ask him about some things I'd read may help to reduce the risk of developing PE (baby aspirin, extra calcium and magnesium). I wanted to know if he would suggest anything beyond prenatal vitamins. He said that PE is primarily a disease of first pregnancies, and that I could try the baby aspirin, etc if I wanted to, but nothing has really been proven to make a difference. Hmmmm....I felt like he kind of blew me off.
Here are my questions:
Should I schedule a consultation/work-up with a specialist before we start TTC? And, can anyone tell me if there is any standard recommendation (with regards to the baby aspirin, etc) for those of us who are TTC after having PE with a previous pregnancy?
Also, please forgive me if I've not used the right abreviations for things..I'm not so computer savvy!
Thank you very much for any info/advice...
Sincerely,
Monica

[angelkat]

Hi Monica and welcome to the forum...

A lot of women who have had PE start off with having a precons consult. Usually they are done with either a peri (high risk doctor) or your OB. Each Doctor is different in which way he/she likes to treat prior PE patients. One does not know if you will get it again as some have and other haven't. My most serious case of PE was my third pregnancy but had it with all three and so far so good on my current preg.

Feeling comfortable with your doctor is one of most importances. Make sure you have all your questions written down to ask as sometimes we forget the most important ones...

Once again... Welcome to the forum and GOOD LUCK!!!


Hugs
~T
Moderator Grief and Loss
Mommy to
Drew(13)PE 37 wks
Ky (11)PE 34 wks
~i~ Katlyne(12/9/02-04/02/03)25 wks
Casey Looking at Aug
Katlyne's Tribute Site
http://forevernetwork.com/lifestories/lifestory.cfm?Archive_ID=10971&Directory=/Archives/MountHope&Sort=V

[julie f]

Monica,

Hi and welcome!

I'm sorry that you feel like your doctor blew you off, that is so frustrating... Like Tracey said, it would be a great idea to have a preconception consult with a high risk OB. I saw that you're in Tacoma and, I happen to know a great high-risk OB up there in Seattle [;)] so, I will email you his name.

Unfortunately, there are no standard recommendations for those of us TTC after a preeclamptic pregnancy. You will find different opinions from different doctors and different risk factors in different women - all making it very difficult for anything "standard."[:(] Were you tested after your pregnancy for many of the underlying risk factors of preeclampsia (blood clotting disorders, autoimmune disorders, etc.) If not, during your visit with the high-risk OB, they will likely recommend some tests prior to TTC.

Also, I thought you might find this interesting, it a is a link to a question about recurrence rates asked in our "Ask the Experts" forum. http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=331&SearchTerms=sibai

Good luck and keep us posted!

Julie (27)
Zachary James, 7/22/03-7/27/03, born at 26wks - severe pe

Praying for a miracle... TTC #2 is a go!

Southern California Coordinator

[monicawootan]

Thanks so much for the info...I'm thinking that I need to see a perinatologist for a consult before we start trying. I have liked my OB, but I wonder if maybe this PE business just isn't his thing. And, I definitely want to do anything I can to help prevent PE in my future pregnancies!

Monica (31)
Josh (31)
baby Josephine Maria, born 12-6-03 at 36 wks

[loveliam]

Hi, Monica! I'm glad you posted this question because I have similar concerns. Our son is only 7-months-old, so we're not trying to conceive yet, but I worry abotu the same issues. I kind of feel like my doctors/midwives have been a bit dismissive about the whole thing. I think it's because I developed PE at term and then had a C-section.

[for faith]

Monica ~ Great question. Just wanted to throw in that I had high blood pressure with my son (1st) and delivered him 4 weeks early and had severe PE with my daughter (2nd). When I was pregnant with her my OB said I had about a 5% chance of getting PIH or PE again, but guess I fell in that minority. I would learn as much as possible, that is what I am doing before I try again. Good luck!

Jill
mommy to:
Tyler - 4 (36 wks, PIH)
Angel baby - 1/20/03 (11 wks)
Faith Kristine - 1/5/04-1/30/04 (30 weeks due to severe PE, passed due to NEC & Sepsis(preemie complications))

[kimmc]

Monica,
This is my 1st time posting as well. I too will be TTC starting in December. I'm so glad you posted this question. I probably will be seeing a peri, but my peri. with my last preg. was not so good. I have an appt. with a new ob this month, so I'm going to ask her if I should see a peri. before I get preg. My last preg. was with twins so that put me at a high risk, but I am also a Type 1 diabetic, so more than likely I will be seeing a peri. for this preg. as well. I'm trying to learn as much as possible before getting preg. again and this website has been soooo helpful. Well, good luck.

Kim(27)
Phil(27)
Kylie and Jesse Born 8/22/03 at 35 wks. PE

[norlisa k]

Hello Monica, and welcome! I am very pro-seeing a perinatologist. I had a pre-conception consult with one, who saw me through my pregnancy, delivered my babies (I have twins), and everything turned out very well. My husband and I had a great doctor/patient relationship with him; he answered all of our questions, knew what to look out for/told us what to look out for, and we felt that we were in very good hands. He is very knowledgeable about preeclampsia, and I don't think things would have turned out as well should we have had another OB. (We had a 38 week and 2 day induction with twins, chronic hypertension, group beta strep, and gestational diabetes. My husband, twins, and I left the delivery room and hospital together.) Should we get pregnant again, we wouldn't have any other doctor. Having a doctor that you know is knowledgeable about PE, and who'll listen and answer your questions, is definitely something that will put your mind at ease. Good luck, and welcome again! Glad to have 'ya! [:D]

Norlisa Keffer(35), Washington State Co-Coordinator/Moderator, Mothers of Multiples/Co-Moderator, Trying to Conceive
Gordon (37)
Joseph/Josephine Our Angel in Heaven
Mary Frances and Samuel (a.k.a. Frankie and Sammy) 38 weeks, 5/26/03, no preeclampsia during pregnancy, mom severe blood pressure problems post-partum