A history of preeclampsia is 1 of 2 most common reasons Path to Baby clients work with me.
What is preeclampsia?
According to Preeclampsia Foundation, preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks. It is diagnosed with persistent elevated blood pressure and additional complications such as protein in the urine, decreased kidney or liver function, fluid in the lungs, seizures or other symptoms.
This graphic is not a diagnostic tool. If you're concerned, call your OB/MFM or call 911.
What is the lived experience of preeclampsia?
Most of the time, their experience almost always goes like this:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1+ of the symptoms on this graphic start (sometimes earlier in the #pregnancy than is typical)
They google & become concerned
They tell their OB. Sometimes test results reveal something (e.g. protein in urine or elevated BP). Sometimes they don't.
OB tells them everything's fine, go home & relax.
They don't feel fine, but they try to relax (Hint: it doesn't work)
They keep bringing it up. They keep being told everything's fine.
Suddenly everything's not fine & baby is born (often preterm) & baby goes to the NICU.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Does any of that sound familiar?
This is why, I think, the red flag at the bottom for the graphic is most important.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You know what your body feels like when you're pregnant. You know when something changes & doesn't feel right.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Trust that.
After that experience, my clients have lost trust in their bodies, their medical team, & their ability to carry a healthy pregnancy, but they know it has to be possible to reduce their risk of pre-eclampsia next time.
Check out Anneke's experience with pregnancy after preeclampsia for an inspiring story for what's possible!
Are you trying to conceive after a history of preeclampsia?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There are three things you need to do:
Release the trauma from your body to restore neuro-endo-immune balance
Be sure you have a tight, clear blueprint for what brought you to where you are today, and a very clear plan of where you're headed to reduce your risk next time.
Support throughout your pregnancy to maintain neuro-endo-immune balance so you can have a different experience this time around
Not sure exactly how to do that? Click here to learn more.
Yes, the risk of preeclampsia is generally higher in subsequent pregnancies for women with a history. And also, statistics are not a crystal ball, and there are things you can do to reduce your risk. Your past does not define your future.
Comments