preeclampsia scare!

[Jarae26]

I am pregnant with my second child. My first baby is only 5 months old. She was born premature due to preeclampsia. My blood pressure got real high out of no where and I was in and out of the hospital almost daily. So they decided to induce me because it wasn't getting better. My daughter then had to be in ICU only weighing 4lbs and with a feeding tube. I was put on magnesium and was better couple days later, but then 5 days later i was back in the hospital again with high blood pressure. I'm so scared how this pregnancy will go. I heard you're at a greater risk with having preeclampsia with the 2nd pregnancy. Anyone know much about it, gone through it or know ways to prevent it??

[Jarae26]

I'm so sorry you're showing the signs!! I hope you don't develope it n if you do I hope your pregnancy goes smooth with no complications!!

[Jarae26]

Wow thank you so much for all your insight & advice!!! I really appreciate it!! Congrats to you I hope all goes well!!!

[danika0913]

I had severe preeclampsia with my first. They had to give me an emergency c section at 35weeks. Came up outta the blue too.
4yrs later i am 23weeks with our second and Im already showing signs that Im developing it again. The docs said it wasn't common for it to happen in a second pregnancy but i guess Im unlucky.

[baby2014]

The most serious and most easily prevented complication of pregnancy is known as metabolic toxemia or pre-eclampsia. The symptoms of pre-eclampsia appear after the 30th week of gestation: edema, hypertension (high blood pressure), and protein in the urine. Modern medical science does not know the cause of pre-eclampsia. Midwives however see a strong enough connection between deficiencies in the mother’s diet and the occurrence of pre-eclmapsia to say the pre-eclampsia (and eclampsia, toxemia with maternal convulsions) is the result of malnutrition during pregnancy.Below are listed herbal and nutritional information to help prevent pre-eclampsia. If you are diagnosed or showing signs & symptoms of pre-eclampsia, work with your midwife to help find remedies that suit your lifestyle and are deemed safe for you and your baby.Preventing Pre-eclampsia• Eat 80-100 grams of protein daily. Protein is needed to form the growing fetus, uterus and placenta.• Eat salt to taste. Limiting salt during pregnancy does little to prevent swollen ankles and fingers. Lack of adequate salt can cause pre-eclamplsia.• Eat foods high in calcium. A study of worldwide eclampsia rates found them to be highest in countries with the lowest calcium intake. One thousand grams of calcium daily during pregnancy is a minimum recommendation.• Take adequate calories. The minimum calorie requirement during pregnancy is 2400 calories a day. This does not mean eating high calorie foods/drinks such as soda, fast foods, pastry, cookies, cake, ice cream, etc. The calories you eat need to count!!!• Tone and nourish with Raspberry, Nettle, and Dandelion leaf teas throughout pregnancy.Remedies to treat signs/symptoms of Pre-eclampsiaIncrease the level of potassium in your body. Potassium supplements are a standard part of the allopathic treatment for pre-eclampsia, as they relieve and stabilize some major symptoms of pre-eclampsia: high blood pressure and edema. Potassium is favored by midwives because it supports and vitalizes proper functioning of all the organs and systems stressed by pre-eclampsia: liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Potato peels and bananas are exceptionally rich in potassium; Mint, Chicory, and Dandelion leaves also have extremely high levels of potassium. Other sources are chamomile, comfrey, coltsfoot, watercress, nettles, alfalfa, yarrow, borage, eyebright, plantain, parsley, kelp, dulse. Potassium is depleted by: excessive urination or perspiration, vomiting, diarrhea, enemas, coffee, sugar, salt, salt, alcohol.• Help balance the sodium/potassium ratio of your blood with raw beet juice, up to four ounces daily. This is also one of the fastest and most effective ways to increase available calcium in the body. If you don’t have access to a juicer, grate one raw beet and one raw apple together for a satisfying and crunchy snack.• Restore the normal balance of sodium and potassium in your body fluids, and promote better functioning of your liver and nervous system by taking 100 mg of vitamin B6 daily in conjunction with a high potency B complex supplement.• Augment protein and mineral levels in your body by adding up to three tablespoons of powdered Spirulina or Chorella seaweed to your daily diet.• Dandelion Leaves As strange as this sounds, dandelions are easily found in lawns and vacant lots, there are few foods or herbs better for treating pre-eclampsia and strengthening the liver than Taraxacum. In addition to vitalizing and healing the liver, Dandelion leaves help the kidneys function better, and are a good source of calcium and potassium. This combination of qualities makes Dandelion leaves a vitally important herb in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia.If you are able to find an abundance of Dandelion leaves, be creative and look for ways to eat them raw or cooked.Handout created from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan Weed

That way you don't have to search for it.

[baby2014]

Check out Carolina community maternity center web page in fort mill sc they have some great tips on how to prevent preeclampsia.

[baby2014]

I was freaking out to so I slammed the doctor with questions when I went in. It was crazy the preeclampsia struck me right in the 35th week and they sent me to labor and delivery to do a 24 hour urine test. Nothing changed so they induced me. My son was already an IUGR baby. The weird thing was I went in to talk to the doctor about setting my 37 week induction appointment up because my son wasn't growing. Well the doctor came in said my blood pressure was high and protein was in my urine. So here come my early bird. He did very well though he was 4lbs 12ozs 18inches long. He stayed 4 days and was ready to come home after they got his sugar up.

With this pregnancy I'm not so stressed and Hope I don't become high risk again. I'm eating healthier this time around too.

[Jarae26]

Really? Thank you so much that makes me feel a little better! Everything I read said otherwise so I freaked lol. Thanks!

[baby2014]

I had preeclampsia with my last pregnancy.  I asked the doctor what the chances of having it again are. He asked me If I have the same partner again. I said Yes. He said that lowers the risk. And he also told me that most women don't get it the 2nd time especially when they are pregnant by the same man again.