Pregnant again

I've just found out I'm pregnant again - I am delighted as it's planned, we've been trying for 6 months & I'm 39 - so it's good news.

However I had severe, asymptomatic PE & HELLP in my last pregnancy, with my little boy being born at 29 weeks with severe IUGR; if I hadn't been picked up at a routine antenal appointment I am pretty sure neither of us would not be here today. Jamie spent 95 days in hospital & required 6 months home oxygen. He's now 2.5 and still small & has reflux, but is catching up slowly - he's a great wee boy, we're so lucky to have him.

Priot to trying for a pregnancy, I saw a consultant & had tests, plus put a care plan in place, so I'm confident about my pregnancy care.

I've started 75mg aspirin - but wondered about Calcium supplements? Any opinions welcome - thanks!

Hi Lesley,

Many congratulations on your new pregnancy.

There does seem to be a bit of a divided opinion about calcium supplementation. when the research was completed, it was generally felt that here in the UK, calcium might not be needed as a supplement due to receiving enough dietary calcium. This opinion seems to have changed over the past year or two in that it is being increasingly widely prescribed.

As long as bloods are monitored then there is no harm in taking a calcium supplement but it should be closely monitored by your care providers. Had you thought about a 'one a day' pregnancy multivitimin? That could also be of use.

I wish you a long and uneventful pregnancy and look forward to hearing all the pregnancy updates from everyone!

Best Wishes
Liz

I took calcium supplements and high dose folic acid from 12 weeks (as well as LDA). My second pregnancy (also at 39) was fantastic and PE free. I kind of think it would have been alright whatever I had taken or not (different placenta and all that), but who can say for sure? Anyway, I don't think they did any harm and might have helped.

Good luck - and remember that pregnancies at older age can be straightforward even with a terrible previous history.

thanks for the advice - much appreciated! I've bought some calcium supplments, am already taking a general pregnancy multi-vitamin & have a GP appt next week to have the pregnancy confirmed & be referred to the hospital. Then I go on holiday for the next 10 days

will keep you posted on how things go - am hoping for a really dull pregnancy this time

Just to update you, since my last post I've unfortunately had a miscarriage, and it looks very likely it was a molar pregnancy - I should have confirmation any day now. It has huge implications for us, and it is a very real possibility that I will need chemotherapy, and that we may not be able to have any more children.

To say that I'm devastated would be an understatement. I always thought after the PE that lightning wouldn't strike twice.........but it has

sorry to hear your news. I don't know anything about molar pregancies but it sounds very frightening. I hope that you don't need lots of treatment.

Just to say that I have had a complete molar pregnancy confirmed. The good news is that my first monitoring sample has come back negative, and I'm hoping it stays that way & I won't need chemotherapy. It's been a horrible time & has led me to question whether I just let go of the idea of a 2nd child - between the chances of PE & the 6-month all-clear from the molar pregnancy it might just be time to call it quits........

Hi Lesley,

I am so sorry to hear your news. I hope you will recover physically and emotionally and that the future will become more positive to you.

We are here if ever you need to talk things through.

Warmest wishes
Liz