I've managed to chase most of these now. I have none of the underlying disorders that might have caused early onset preeclampsia - no thrombophilia, no kidney disease, or auto-immune conditions etc. I had no infections and my daughter was in perfect health, before preeclampsia kicked in. That's good news of course in many ways, but I wonder all the more why I had preeclampsia so early in pregnancy? There is no answer except that life can be very cruel sometimes... I hate feeling I have no control over what happens ...
The placenta was only half the size it should have been, and in addition had some old infarcts and one small but new infarct which lead to my daughter's death. They cannot explain why the scans (fetal blood flow) and CTGs were so reassuring for my daughter only hours before she died - this does not usually happen [especially not when the placenta turns out to have been so crap]. If I am lucky enough to get pregnant again, they are less keen on conservative management for this reason.
I have been estimated to have a 30% risk of recurrence, and most worryingly 5-10% risk of early recurrence, before 30 weeks. If I got preeclampsia after 30 weeks they would suggest c-section straight away. In some ways I think these stats are a bit meaningless - it either happens or doesn't. They do not think I would ever get so ill again as they are less keen on managing me conservatively. I made a quick physical recovery anyway, even though both the preeclampsia and HELLP I had were severe.
I am trying again now, and just hope it is still as easy to get pregnant at my age. If I succeed it will be the most stressful 6-8 months of my life.
Thanks
Jules
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