I Almost Died From Preeclampsia During My First Pregnancy—Here’s What I Did for My Second

At 39 weeks pregnant, I lay exhausted on the cold bathroom floor vomiting from severe stomach pain and wondered, is this normal? I had never been pregnant before and when I complained of abdominal pain to my doctor a week before, she told me it was probably just Braxton Hicks. Who was I to question her on it? After three hours of suffering, my husband convinced me that I needed to call my doctor again.

It turns out I had developed HELLP syndrome, a rare condition considered to be a type of preeclampsia with a maternal mortality rate of up to 24%. HELLP stands for hemolysis, which is the breaking down of red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count. It's so rare that my OB-GYN missed it for weeks. My stomach pain was caused by the enlargement of my liver. Luckily, when I arrived at the hospital, my nurse had seen the condition before with another patient and the doctor on call was able to diagnose it and start treatment: the immediate delivery of the baby.

Thankfully, everything ended up being OK. But with a traumatic birth, a NICU stay for my son, and three months of recovery time for myself, I didn't think I'd want another baby. After a couple of years though, my heart told me that someone was missing from our family. My husband did not want to take the risk but went along with me as I got a second opinion from a specialist, did all the research, and weighed the pros and cons.

Here's how I felt comfortable enough to get pregnant with a second child and the steps I took to prevent preeclampsia in my next pregnancy.

Preeclampsia in a Previous Pregnancy

If you had preeclampsia in your first pregnancy, you are at an increased risk for the condition in subsequent pregnancies. That's important to know because preeclampsia is a serious condition that occurs in 1 in 25 pregnancies in the United States. It typically happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can also occur after giving birth.

Preeclampsia causes high blood pressure and may impair the functions of organs, including the liver and kidneys. If untreated, it can be fatal to both the parent and baby.

Preeclampsia Risks

Certain factors can increase your risk of preeclampsia, including:

• Personal history of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia
• Family history of preeclampsia 
• Carrying multiples
• Pregnant people younger than 20 or older than 40
• Having high blood pressure or kidney disease prior to pregnancy
• Having an autoimmune disease

How To Avoid Preeclampsia in Your Second Pregnancy

While there is no sure way to prevent preeclampsia, there are steps that may make a difference if you desire to be pregnant again.

Advocate for yourself

In hindsight, there were many signs that something wasn't right in my first pregnancy. I had never been pregnant before so that made it more difficult to trust that something was off. What's worse, many conditions can look like HELLP syndrome, a reason why my doctor missed the diagnosis. Even though my gut told me something was off, I didn't want to be pushy.

The most important piece of advice I now give to others is to always follow your instincts. You must advocate for yourself. If I was going to have another baby, I needed to do just that for myself and my family.

Pick the right medical team

I trusted the doctor who delivered my son—in my eyes he had saved our lives. He assured me I'd be monitored closely throughout another pregnancy. We went for a second opinion anyway, seeking the expertise of a specialist in the field. I put myself in good hands.

During my second pregnancy, my doctor scheduled more frequent checkups and ultrasounds to check on the baby. If you previously had preeclampsia, it's critical for your health care provider to monitor your blood pressure, blood, levels of protein in your urine, and the fetus’ growth. I also paid attention to how I was feeling and spoke up when I felt something wasn't right.

Focus on your health

I knew I was going to be at risk of developing HELLP syndrome again since I had it during my first pregnancy. Again, there is no way to prevent developing preeclampsia, but you can take precautions. I ate healthy foods. Research shows higher intakes of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of preeclampsia, while more processed meats, salty snacks, and sweet drinks can increase the risk.

I worked out every day, which has been shown to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia. Make sure to speak with your health care provider to determine what kind of exercise would be OK for you to engage in during your pregnancy.

I also closely monitored my blood pressure and tried to avoid stress (although that wasn't always possible when I was chasing my toddler around).

Ask about medicine

Some health care providers prescribe a daily low-dose of aspirin to prevent or delay preeclampsia. If you are at high risk, speak with your health care provider about whether this is an option for you.

Treatment for Preeclampsia

If you do get preeclampsia again in your second pregnancy, treatment will depend on your condition and how far along you are. In mild cases, you will continue to be monitored and may be advised to be less active. Medication, bed rest, or hospitalization may be advised in other cases. Since preeclampsia can only be cured through delivery, you may have to be induced earlier than expected.

My Second Pregnancy After Preeclampsia

Developing HELLP syndrome and coming so close to losing my baby and my own life was the scariest thing I have ever been through. Having another baby knowing I might have to go through that again was terrifying, but I carefully considered my options, surrounded myself with a great team, and trusted my heart. That made all the difference. Luckily, I had a near perfect second pregnancy and a healthy baby boy. Of course, every situation is different, so it's critical to make informed health care decisions with your medical team.