Preeclampsia In Second Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & Prevention
Congratulations! You’re going to be a mommy again! As you get ready to relive the joys of motherhood, you need to know all about the nuances of second-time motherhood. Did you know that medical complications from your first pregnancy can resurface again now? So, if you contracted a condition like preeclampsia during your first pregnancy, the chances of preeclampsia in second pregnancy are rather high.
But before you fret over preeclampsia, consider reading our post below. Here, we look at some causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventive tips for preeclampsia during your second pregnancy.
What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia is a gestational medical condition, which leads to hypertension, and, at times, proteinuria and water retention. Don’t neglect it, as it can be risky for you and your unborn baby (1).
[ Read: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension ]
Causes Of Preeclampsia in Second Pregnancy:
Although the exact cause of preeclampsia remains unclear, medical experts believe that abnormal or narrower than normal development of blood vessels pumping blood to placenta usually leads to preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia during second pregnancy occurs if you suffered from the condition during your first pregnancy. Here we list some other causes of preeclampsia in second pregnancy.
- HELLP syndrome in the earlier pregnancy
- Eclampsia in the first pregnancy.
- Hypertension in the first pregnancy
- Abruptio placentae in the previous pregnancy
- Blood clotting abnormalities such as thrombophilias (2)
Symptoms Of Preeclampsia in Second Pregnancy:
A high blood pressure i.e. about 140/90 mm Hg or greater is the prime symptom of preeclampsia in the second pregnancy; there are several other symptoms that can indicate preeclampsia while you are expecting for the second time:
- Proteinuria or excess protein in urine
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Reduced urine output
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe headaches
- Changes in your vision, such as blurred vision or sensitivity to the light
- Impaired functioning of the liver
- Reduced levels of platelets
- Sudden rise in weight and swelling, especially in the hands and face
- Difficulty to breathe easily due to fluid in your lungs (3)
Treating Preeclampsia In The Second Pregnancy:
The safest cure for preeclampsia is delivery, but that’s not possible during the initial stages of pregnancy or until your blood pressure normalizes. Some, popular treatment options include:
1. Medications:
Your doctor may recommend antihypertensives, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsant drugs, to regulate your blood pressure and ensure a safe second pregnancy (4).
2. Hospitalization:
In a case of severe preeclampsia, hospitalization can help regulate your condition and monitor your unborn baby’s well-being. Your doctor will also recommend bed rest and ask you to lie on your left side while you are resting (5).
3. Delivery:
If you suffer from preeclampsia during the later stages of your pregnancy, then the doctor may induce labor and recommend delivery. In severe cases, the doctor may schedule a C-section to deliver the baby (6).
[ Read: Eclampsia In The First Pregnancy ]
Preventing Preeclampsia In The Second Pregnancy:
Here are some ways for preventing preeclampsia in second pregnancy:
- Consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation of your kidney functioning and blood pressure before becoming pregnant.
- If you suffer from obesity, work to reduce your weight as weight reduction minimizes the risk of preeclampsia in second pregnancy.
- Control sugar intake and blood sugar levels if you suffer from diabetes before expecting, since high sugar levels increase the likelihood of preeclampsia in the initial stage of pregnancy.
- Consult your doctor and have vitamin C and vitamin E supplements and small doses of calcium supplements (7).
Did you suffer from preeclampsia during your second pregnancy? What did you do about the condition? Share your experience with other expecting moms. Leave a comment below.
[ Read: How To Lose Weight During Pregnancy ]
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