Round 2. Nervous

[mmiller]

I had pre-eclampsia & preterm labor at 33 weeks 3 days with DD. Up until about 30 weeks I had no problems at all. Some very mild swelling in my hands and feet after a long day at work but that was the extent of my complaints. We went on a short babymoon and I started to swell in my legs while walking in the city we visited. Went to the doc and BP was 115/75 and there was no protein spillage so she cleared me to move (military PCS). Two weeks, One 3 story house packed and cleaned (way overdid it on that one) + One 9 hour flight + One 5 hour drive later my blood pressure upon checking into my new doc was 175/110, 185/115, and 165/100. They admitted me immediately, discovered I was in labor, and my daughter came on her own terms the next evening. She had no complications other than sleepiness while eating and went home after 2 weeks in NICU.

I am not overweight, non-smoker, walked 2 miles a day, ate a very healthy diet, and my blood pressure is usually 100/60. There is no family history on either side of pre-e or preterm labor. I had however had a miscarriage 2 months prior to conceiving, tested with low vitamin D when I arrived at the hospital, and have mild hypothyroidism. Adding to that the stress from cleaning the three story house, packing, flying, and moving all while not knowing where or if my husband was going to get a job, and gaining 30 lbs in water in 2 weeks and I think I know at least what sent me into preterm labor.

I'm at 16 weeks now and I'm trying really, really hard not to think about how things could go. My OB said that the stress of the packing/move did not cause the pre-e but she does think it might have accelerated the onset. She couldn't say if the miscarriage or vitamin D may have had anything to do with it and had no clue if hypothyroid could cause it. I've been putting it out of my head as much as possible but then my BP was 130/85 when I first got to the doctor's office for my 14 week check up. That made me nervous. After sitting a minute it was 115/75 and 110/60 before I left.

I did a ton of research before getting pregnant again so I did figure out that there's nothing I can do to actually prevent it. My doc said there's things you can try that won't hurt and at least might make you feel better so she put me on 1000mg vitamin D, a prenatal supplement,fish oil, 600 mg Calcium, and a DHA supplement. I was 20 months post partum when I conceived which was in the "best odds" window the specialist at the hospital gave me. I chase my toddler around the house and take care of the housework but that's my only job right now. I eat a balanced diet, take my nap daily, and my main source of personal misery and stress is banned from communicating with me until I'm holding a healthy baby in my arms. My OB said because I had none of the "classic risk factors" she only recommended me seeing a MFM if I start to show signs of a relapse. She seems more worried about the pre-term labor re-occurring even though the specialist when I delivered told us there was a clear cause & effect relationship between the early labor and the pre-e.

DH is adamant that I get rest every day & may be more worried than I am even. He gets nervous now every time I start cleaning. He somewhat blames himself for letting me help as much as I did and thinks he could have done more to stop me from going so early. I know there's nothing I can do to stop it from happening again. I keep telling him it probably would have happened anyway and it's my fault for being dumb and stubborn.

With 2 less than ideal outcomes under my belt we're both just nervous and wanted to check in for good vibes, prayers, or whatever hope you'd like to share. We're praying for a healthy child and then we're done. This is too scary to do again!

[danielsmom]

A fellow 16 weeker, yay! I've been wondering if I had any bump buddies out there near the same gestation. First of all, I'm happy to hear that your daughter is doing well and running around the house. I also stay at home with an almost 3 year old, occasionally working contract part time from home.

I turned down a high stress/high demand contract a few weeks ago to clear the way for this pregnancy, whatever the outcome, and offered instead to consult on the project, which will be much less stress. It was a hard decision, and humbling to give up, but the baby's health and mine are more important. The rest of life can wait or take a hike. We have to make a conscious proactive effort to remove our "stressors" (and let our husbands help). Like you, my MFM told me that pre-e was destined to happen last time, but that my stress (not related to work, but doom and gloom ultrasounds) may have fueled the flame. It's a priority of mine to relax, and remember that this is in God's hands.

I think you and I might have a bit of "white coat syndrome". Ordinarily our BP is low, around 100/60, but occasionally it can creep up 20 or 30 points at the doctor's office. I always get great readings at home. It's no wonder why we'd get a bit anxious there.

Our poor husbands! They not only worry about our babies, but us too. I asked mine last night that if everything went great this time, would he want to try again for #3. He's fairly certain he can't handle the stress again. He said he would be happy and content with just our son (though he was persuaded to try for #2). We'll see, but I think we're done after this too! Sorry, no real wisdom in this post, but I'll be thinking of you and praying for a good outcome.

[mmiller]

I had a chat with my grandma and found out she has "sticky blood" and had a completely out of the blue pulmonary embolism at one point. Her father died from an out of the blue pulmonary embolism. Neither was sedentary or had any known risk factor other than being told they had "sticky blood". Now I'm wondering if I have whatever clotting disorder they apparently have. I found out the calcium supplement I was on before and during my pregnancy with DD had vitamin K in it which increases clotting. I have a heart condition where my ventricle beats twice on occasion. It got much more common when I was on birth control and way more common when on that with the calcium + K supplement. Now that I've stopped both I've only had 2 episodes in the last year. I used to get 2 per day. Wondering if this all ties in to the pre-e? I'm going to mention it to my OB next visit. Not sure if they can do anything but it's worth a go I guess. How strongly is abnormal clotting disorders associated with pre-e?

[danielsmom]

It is believed that clotting conditions predispose you to pre-e. This is a great thread: http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewt ... 12&t=16607

You're right at that point now where the baby is beginning to demand much more from the placenta. I would have that conversation with your OB asap. It would be great if you could get a diagnosis too.