Re: Pre-eclampsia, HELLP & future pregnancies

Sally Edsall (SEDSALL@nswtf.org.au)
Fri, 29 Mar 1996 12:46:29 GMT+10 

Marci,

There seem to be quite a few rather misinformed medical people out 
there who say that having had PIH, HELLP, pre-eclampsia, or whatever, 
you are unlikely to get it again.

The incidence in first pregnancies is about 10%. Not all those cases 
are as serious as each other; some develop quite late in the 
pregnancy when the trauma of prematurity is not as significant.

If you DIDN'T have it in your first pregnancy, the chances of it 
occurring in a 2nd or subsequent one are minimal (but not unknown). 
If however, there is a different father for a subsequent pregnancy, 
the chances revert to the same as for a 1st pregnancy (hence research 
into possible contributions from the father's genetic structure). 

The cruch number though is where you had it in a first pregnancy. 
Then your chances of recurrence go up to about 20 - 25%. So, if 
you're part of the "lucky" 10 % the first time round, you increase 
your chances the second time round. Still, there's a 75% chance you 
WON'T get it a second time and lots of women go through a trouble 
free 2nd or subsequent pregnancy.

Sorry to bang on so much, and sorry about the number of posts in one 
day. We had a backlog of email throught the server, and I had a day's 
leave and am just clearing it now!

Sally




> Because I developed PIH in both of my pregnancies (common usually only 
> in the first), three docs have told us not to plan on having anymore 
> children.  Apparently, in cases like mine (I'm the exception, not the 
> rule), the PIH would get progressively worse and would come earlier with 
> each pregnancy.  I have since heard about two different family friends 
> who developed serious PIH *very* early and had to abort so as not to 
> jeopardize their own lives.  I would agonize over making a decision like 
> that.  I am scheduled to have my tubes tied at the end of April.  While 
> I feel *very* blessed to have the two children that I have, I am going 
> through a grief process that the decision has been made for us not to 
> have any more.  I can't express in words how difficult this has been on 
> me.  I am blessed with a very loving and supportive husband who has been 
> a great shoulder to cry on and has wonderful listening ears.
> 
> Sorry this is so long.  This is definitely one of those "do I send it or 
> not?"  Hope it's okay.
> 
> Blessing to all and hugs to the little ones, {{{ }}}
> Marci, mommy to Kyle (2/94, 40 wks) and Melissa (11/95, 32 wks)
> 
>