Had preeclampsia with my first am I doomed to have it again with my second?

I developed preeclampsia around 5 months pregnant with my first child. It was kept under control with rest and watching my diet. I was induced a couple of weeks early because of it though but made it to 38 weeks.  I am around 7-8 weeks pregnant with my second and worried that I may develope preeclampsia again and sooner. I already feel way worse than I did with my daughter as far as feeling fatigued, sick to my stomach all day and headaches. I had none of that with my daughter, I felt great! This time around I feel like $#!T.  I see my doctor on Monday for my first visit but am I being paranoid or can you develope problems this early in pregnancy?

Bella,

I too had preclapsia with my first child. I had to have a emergency c-section at 35 weeks! It is scary, I know.  I was told by my doctor that it is not common to get preclampsia two times. It is most common with your first baby.  I would check with you dr. though just to make sure everything is ok!

Good Luck! CONGRATS!

Check out this from the Preeclampsia Foundation:

"There has not been significant research looking at the rate of reoccurrence in subsequent pregnancies, however the consensus among experts is that preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy is the single largest risk factor for developing preeclampsia. It is entirely wrong to say that if you had it in your first--you will not get it again. The risk of having it again is approximately 20%, however experts cite a range from 5-80% depending on when you had it in a prior pregnancy and how severely you had it.

The risk increases if since your previous pregnancy you have developed chronic hypertension, diabetes, or if you are having IVF, twins or other multiples, as well as the risk factors mentioned above."

Edited to add: Preeclampsia typically doesn't show up until after the 20th week. You can get preeclampsia before then but it's rare.

Thanks, that is a great link. I'm probably just off on my pregnancy worrying thinking I have developed it this early on but if there is anything I can do to ward it off that is exactally what I am going to do! Thanks again for the link it is going to help me write a novel of questions for my doctor =)

Asking your doctor is the best bet.  I don't understand why people use this web site for health care issues that aren't about eating.

I also had it with my first pregnancy, but not with the following two....

Original Post by mommakitty:

Asking your doctor is the best bet.  I don't understand why people use this web site for health care issues that aren't about eating.

 Because some people enjoy seeking support from others who have had similar experiences. Sheesh, lighten up. She's obviously going to be under a doctor's care.

I had it with my first and was told by my consultant that my chances of having it in subsequent pregnancies was a little higher? I was monitored closely during my second but got through without anything happening. HTH?

Bier - You always seem to say it best. 

Knowing you are not alone or the only one to have gone through an experience takes some of the fear out of it.

Family and friends always like to comment on my health and well being as if they are doctors themselves and know it all. My Brother and In=Laws are convinced I will have it again and will need bed rest. They criticize me from every thing I eat to any excersize I do.

It is refreshing to hear from someone who has lived it that it is possible to have it once but not again.

I did a mom's night out this weekend and was a little feisty. I don't think I've gotten it out of my system yet

Ah, there's nothing like unsolicited advice! Especially when you're pregnant and hormonal. And from men, nonetheless! That would set me off.

I know it's still early in the day but have you been to the doctor yet?

I had severe preeclampsia with my first.  He was born at 32 weeks.  I just found out I am pregnant again.  About 4-5 weeks along.  Did your Dr. see you before the 'normal' 8-10 week first appointment?  Just trying to decided if I should call now or go ahead and wait to make my first appt.

So I had my first appt yesterday and I am 8 weeks based off of my last period. The Dr.'s office ultrasound machine is a little old and I didn't have a full blatter so they wern't able to do any measurements for an exact date but the heart is beating, the feet nubs are moving and there is only one! Yeah!!!

As far as the preeclampsia, Doc said we would have to just watch out for symptoms and keep an eye on it.  In her 10 years she has never seen it show up before the second half of pregnancy so until there are definant signs, protein in urine and high blood pressure, those will be monitored closely as well as headaches, rapid weight gain and intense cramping. She did say it is not a guarentee that you will have it in all pregnancies if you have it in one but that you are at a hightened risk. A good diet low in sugar, low stress and plenty of rest can help keep it a bay but sometime it is just genetics.  A family history of diabeties and high blood pressure work against you. I don't have that but I do have one hell of a sweet tooth! Now I just need to find some good sugar free desserts ;)

Glad to hear all is well! I hope you have an uneventful pregnancy! :)

Voortmans makes an excellent Flaxseed Chocolate Chunk cookie that has only 3 (or was it 5?) grams of sugar in it ;)