Preeclampsia at 21 weeks... will I ever have a baby?

[joker]

I am so sorry for your loss.

I had PE at 19 weeks and my little girl was stillborn at 19 weeks. I want you to know, you can go on to have another baby. It will be scary, but you can have a healthy baby. For me, I did lovenox shots, weekly doctor visits a few times in the hospital, but Alison was born at 34 weeks and only spent 2 weeks in the NICU. Big hugs.

[mychaelelaine]

It's so comforting to be somewhere where everyone understands. Your story sounds so much like mine, many of ours. I'm almost 12 weeks and nervous! But, I refuse to give in to the nervousness. I just try to fight it with positive thoughts. As someone mentioned, you'll be better off next time around. With me, being pregnant with DD Mychael (delivered @ 23 weeks 2 days on October 17th, pre-e and hellp), my pre-e was misdiagnosed. I was told I didn't have pre-e on October 12th and went into labor and delivery 4 days later. Doctor never checked my urine for protein. I have chronic hypertension so that's something (pre-e) that should've been looked out for. I also have lupus. Anyway, I'm with a different MFM and am on baby aspirin, have already done a baseline urinalysis, and am being watched much more closely. Losing a child any way is horrific. I sometimes ask myself which is worse, having your child die before you've had a chance to meet him/her or after you've had some time. I've determined they're both equally horrific, something I never want to experience again. I pray for you and hope you don't experience pre-e. Coming to this board has made me SO hopeful. It's so good to read so many stories of successful pregnancies after tragedy. Read around andy you'll see. It's very comforting. Good luck and God bless!

[joker]

I had PE at 19 weeks with my first daughter. I did go on to have a successful pregnancy...I saw an ob/MFM literally once a week, did lovenox shots and was just very closely monitored. Alison was born at 34 weeks. IT is possible to have a baby after a loss! It is stressful, I won't lie about that, but worth it.

[wooleybear]

I am so sorry for your loss and my experience was so similar in certain ways, I wrote my experience under the "Confused, emotionally, physically, mentally" if you want to read it. I just experienced this about a week ago, so it is all too fresh for me. I do find reading others stories helpful. It helps you to relate and not feel alone. I wish and Im sure others wish too, that we knew about this disease way in advance. Why is it so misunderstood? I didn't even know what it was when I filled out my first paperwork in the OB office. I think I had to ask the nurse what is was. Once I started swelling and typing in those symptoms I got pre eclampsia pop ups on google. But I didn't feel I had the other signs so it was no need to worry. Plus my doctor kept telling me that the swelling was normal, even though it was in my face and hands too. He said that shortness in breath and vision changes would be more important. I want to blame the doctors and I do to some extent when I look back, but they too are soo clueless about this disease. It is so confusing.

I had no bp or urine issues until my baby girl, Soleil, was dead inside me and at 32 weeks. She was only 2lbs 3 ozs at 32 weeks. You would think the doctors would all have higher tech 3d sonograms and use them every visit with this day in age of technology. My doctor had a low grade one and he mainly just checked her heartbeat on a heartbeat monitor and it was always ok, until my fetal movements became less and less, that was another sign I can't believe I ignored.

I go through so many phases now and it has only been a week, anger, depression, sadness, trying to forget, holding memories, it is a rollercoaster. I don't know what the future holds. I am not with the father and I only want to start trying again too, but that won't happen for some time now that me and the father are not together. I feel your pain, maybe your husband needs some time to grieve and heal too before you start trying again. Even though I won't be trying soon, I will be going back to my old gyno(he doesn't do deliveries so I had to find a new OB doc, but my old gyno is a fertility specialist and I love him, I wish I could have had him through all of this). I want him to run tests on me so I know my health. As women, we need to be more proactive in our health and I am learning this now. I hope you find peace and rest and keep on coming back to to this site, to vent to read, to write to get your feelings out, to educate yourself and others. lots of love

[cgoodi1]

Thank you to all who have responded. It's been three and a half months since the birth and my original due date is approaching which is making things hard for me. I notice every pregnant person who walks by and am very envious. I am presently under going tests to see if I have any underlying issues. All of my blood work has come back normal but I am still spilling protein which may not be good. I will be doing a 24 hour urine test next week and an FSH blood test. I'm really worried about these tests. My blood pressure is normal at home but sky rockets when I go to the doctor. I hope that everything comes back ok. I'm praying it's not my kidneys. I have two more appointments this month and one in July. I will keep everyone updated. We were hoping to try again this summer but now that the tests are taking awhile to complete it's not looking as good. Please feel free to PM me if anyone wants to talk