How does preeclampsia affect pregnant women and their babies?

Hello,

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I read your query and understand your concern. Sorry about your past loss. I cannot give a false assurance that your next pregnancy will be safe and away from Pre-eclampsia (PE). PE is your body's reaction to the embryo, which is a combination of your egg and your husband's sperm, so in every pregnancy, you will have the same preeclampsia, occurring at earlier gestation. But the main relief is that this can be diagnosed earlier and can be prevented from causing any significant damage to the baby. If I am right, in the last pregnancy, your blood pressure would have raised at around 26 to 30 weeks of gestation and would have gradually increased, causing gradual growth restriction. This would have gradually reduced fluid around the baby. By about 30 to 32 weeks the movements of the baby would have reduced and the scan would have shown Doppler changes and NST showed deceleration. On delivery by cesarean, the baby had to be admitted to NICU and on a ventilator. Baby can die of prematurity and respiratory problems. In normal pregnancy, at 12 weeks there is a wave of trophoblastic invasion- the blood vessels become big and then again at 20 weeks there is a second wave. This is needed to improve the blood flow. If these waves are not well-formed, the blood vessels are not properly dilated.

Before you try for the next pregnancy, do have the following tests, which can be corrected and this can prevent pre-eclampsia

1. aPTT test.

2. Anti-Cardiolipin antibody (ACA).

3. Lupus anticoagulant (LA- IgG. IgM).

4. Antinuclear antibody (ANA).

5. Fasting and postprandial blood sugars.

If any of the 1 to 4 tests are abnormal medicines are as below

If blood sugar is high, will need diet, exercise, or insulin if high. Uncontrolled sugar can damage placental vessels and cause blood pressure changes. To avoid pre-eclampsia - have Folic acid 5 mg per day, start one month before trying for pregnancy. The moment urine tests positive for pregnancy, have a low dose of Aspirin 75 mg or 81 mg one tab per day till 34 weeks of pregnancy. If any of the tests are abnormal you will need Injection. Low molecular weight Heparin 40 mg S/C daily from the day scan shows baby's heartbeat (about six weeks ) till the date of delivery. The two medicines will keep the blood more liquid, so the blood flow through the vessels will be good, so your blood pressure will not raise. In any pregnancy, scans are done, but in your next pregnancy, have a scan every month, to find any early growth restriction. After 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, always have a note of baby movement, if any fall in the count immediately contact a doctor for the scan. Blood pressure will be checked every time you meet the doctor for a check up- but you can have it every week at a nearby place or clinic or home. Maintain a chart. I have tried to put in as much information as possible. I hope I have cleared your doubts, do write back if any more queries.

Thank you.