Is it true?

cre8tivRN · Sep 9, 2005

Is it true that if you have PIH with your first pregnancy that you will not have it with your 2nd pregnancy unless its from a different father? I think I vaguely remember hearing something like this from my mom many years ago when she was an L&D nurse and before I ever dreamed I'd be one.
If it is true could someone explain to me the patho behind that.

I had PIH with both of my pregnancies. And I can guarantee that both babies are from the same father- my husband. I had asked the doctor and NP about PIH and what causes it. Her exact answer......"That's the million dollar question, If we knew why it started, and why in some people, and why with some pregnancies and not others........ we'd be millionaires!"

So from her standpoint, there is no real definitive answer.

We can only surmise......my weight? I was mildly obese at 200 pounds when i conceived both times and gained about 35-40 pounds with each. I got at least 2+ edema halfway up my calfs by the end.

She also told me that if you have PIH the first time, most likely you will have it with each consecutive pregnancy.

That's all I can offer. :)

NurseforPreggers · Sep 9, 2005

Maybe it was that if you didn't have it with your first pregnancy, then you won't have it with other pregnancies .... unless the baby is from a different father. Now that I think about it, I think that was it .. instead of what I originally said.

babyktchr, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

There is no rhyme or reason to PIH. I have seen many different scenarios. My dear friend just had her second baby and had no PIH issues, depite the fact she had been sectioned at 36 weeks for PIH issues with the first. There are correlations to having PIH with one pregnancy, and not because of different fathers. There is also a study that shows that the less you are exposed to sperm, the more likely you may have PIH issues. I believe I remember that from a Michelle Murray conference in the past. If you had it before (PIH), it is LIKELY you will have it again, but it is not certain. Diligent prenatal evals are in order.

NurseforPreggers · Sep 9, 2005

Thanks

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

My understanding is that if you've had it once, your more likely to have it with a subsequent pregnancy. If you didn't have it, you're less likely to have it with a subsequent pregnancy, unless this pregnancy is with a different father, when you go back to the same chance as with a first pregnancy.

Something to do with the possibility that genetic material from the father may have some role in the development of PIH. If they ever find out what causes PIH, predictions will be much easier to make.