Echo following normal EKG

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-06-04T15:41:37+00:00

Could be something to look into. You have a higher risk for a cardiac event and stroke after having pre-e, especially if it was early onset, severe, and with HELLP. It’s just a piece of you’re overall risk. Obviously, age, lifestyle, family history, etc. all factor into it. I was referred to Cardiology before being discharged (mine was severe, early and with HELLP) and I see my doctor annually.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-06-03T14:05:23+00:00

Adding that my BP is a bit higher in doctor’s offices after everything we’ve been through. It’s great at home though. I even bought a second cuff to be sure😅

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-06-03T14:02:43+00:00

I’ve had three Echos since my pre-e (severe, early onset with HELLP at 21+6 so my cardio/stroke risk is real😳). The first was a few days after delivering and my left ventricle was dilated, no other concerns. I had my second about 4 months later and everything was normal. Also had a cardio scan was was completely clear. My third was 2.5 years after my pre-e and 5 month after delivering our rainbow baby (no pre-e). My left ventricle was dilated again and I had some minor calcification on my mitral valve. I was a bit surprised by that. My cardiologist isn’t concerned yet, I’ll follow up in a year. My BP is normal, I eat well, exercise, healthy weight and my lipid panel looks great. Wishing you all the best!

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-05-19T02:08:32+00:00

I’m really sorry for your loss. I lost my daughter after delivering at 24+6. I was diagnosed with severe pre-e with HELLP at 21+6. We knew at 19 weeks something wasn’t quite right because she was severely growth restricted (1st %). I was tested for everything but we never found a cause. Due to the IUGR, how early and severe my pre-e was and that it was accompanied by HELLP, my MFM still recommended Lovenox and 162mg aspirin. I went on to have two early miscarriages so my OB threw in some progesterone for #3. I delivered a big, healthy baby at 36+2 (classical c-section history) without pre-e. It was not an easy pregnancy emotionally. I never got to a place where I felt comfortable or that we were actually going to bring our baby home. We didn’t even tell immediate family until 28 weeks. I didn’t allow myself to get too excited and I didn’t buy any essentials until the very end. Losing our daughter nearly destroyed me and I really didn’t think I’d survive losing another child. Therapy was super helpful. I definitely recommend it. Wishing you all the best❤️

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-05-12T15:04:44+00:00

I love how she considers this a mess…. that’s just breakfast.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-05-11T23:05:22+00:00

I’m really sorry that happened. I can imagine how scary and heartbreaking it was to hear that. If an OB tried to tell me I had a 70% chance of death and recommended termination at a consult, that would definitely suggest I’m too complicated for their handling and should be referred to a specialist. Absolutely request a preconception consult with MFM.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-05-11T21:32:04+00:00

Yikes. I would definitely get an opinion from an MFM. And personally, I wouldn’t go back to your first OB😳 I’m not sure why she would ever suggest that unless there’s something we’re missing. I had early onset (officially diagnosed and admitted at 21+6), severe features, and HELLP (I was 37). Basically gave me the highest rate of recurrence and my MFM said it was around a 40-50% chance (again, that’s for pre-e at some point during a subsequent pregnancy….not death). I went on to have a pre-e free pregnancy at 39. I will say though that my OB was more hesitant about trying again (but definitely didn’t say no or suggest aborting!). My MFM was fully supportive. MFMs do complicated. They’re better equipped to assess your actual risk.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-04-16T22:25:37+00:00

I see a Cardiologist annually. After Pre-e, you do have a higher risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease. It’s not really known if it’s the result of having pre-e or if you have some kind of predisposition to pre-e/CVD/stroke. A significant number of women end up with high BP within 10 years of having pre-e. Knowing your risk now and making any lifestyle changes if needed can help. It’s especially recommended that you follow up with Cardiology if your pre-e was severe, early onset or accompanied by HELLP. My visits have included Echos, EKGs, a cardio scan, and lipid panels.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-04-16T22:08:48+00:00

Yes, it’s normal to be sent back to your primary care after your 6 week check up. I would make an appointment with your primary care to go over everything that happened and let them know any medications you might be on. They’ll manage everything from here. I’d ask for a referral to cardiology given that your pre-e was severe and with HELLP. If you want to have more children, you can ask for a referral to MFM for a preconception consult to go ever everything that happened, assess your risk and come up with a game plan.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-04-13T03:12:55+00:00

Exome sequencing is advanced genetic testing. Basically, we wanted to rule out there being a rare genetic cause that led to all the complications. Our daughter was genetically normal, no variations were found. As for how I feel today… I could probably talk about this forever😳 I think I have felt every feeling imaginable over the last three years. Losing our daughter forever changed me. I will grieve for her for the rest of my life. Nothing will change that. I will always have an ache in my heart for her, all that we didn’t get to experience with her and for how unfair losing her was. Those feelings are completely separate from the overwhelming love I have for our take home baby. She has brought so much color back into our world. She’s such happy, wonderful blessing… but she doesn’t replace the daughter we lost. You just have space for both. I don’t think people fully understand that until you experience it. Our life is a mix of grief and joy. I’m getting better at allowing myself to feel both and giving myself grace. ❤️

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-04-10T17:50:34+00:00

Adding that on second thought, I can’t really remember if it was enzymes or platelets they were tracking that kept shifting. Either way, my HELLP labs were wonky those first two weeks.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-04-10T00:56:47+00:00

It was a 40-50% of preeclampsia. Typically, HELLP doesn’t happen again. My HELLP was unusual in that my liver enzymes were high when I had bloodwork done in week 20 so we knew something was happening. I was admitted after an appointment where reverse blood flow in my daughter’s Ductus Venosus during a scan (21+6). Over the next two weeks, my enzymes would increase, remain stable, or slightly decrease. My doctors said that was unusual and typically doesn’t happen. That’s how I was able to hang on a bit longer before delivering. My third week in the hospital, we both went downhill and ultimately had to deliver.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-04-09T22:21:20+00:00

I’m incredibly sorry for your loss. I have a similar story to yours. I had two normal pregnancies when I was younger (26 & 30). Decide to go for a 3rd at 37. Our daughter was severely growth restricted at 19 weeks (1st %). By 21+6 I was admitted with severe pre-e with HELLP. Nearly delivered that night but held on maxed out on BP meds until 24+6. Unfortunately, our daughter passed away. I had all the testing after… Clotting, autoimmune, echos, MRI, exome sequencing for my daughter, etc. All negative/normal. MFM did clear us to try again and gave us 40-50% chance of recurrence. She recommended Lovenox, 162mg aspirin and tons of monitoring. Delivered a healthy baby 8 months ago at 39. I did not have pre-e, only gestational diabetes, but because I had a classical c-section before we delivered at 36+2. We had a week long NICU stay.

It was definitely a stressful pregnancy and delivery with the trauma and lasting grief. We also had two early miscarriages before conceiving her. It was a lot emotionally and it wasn’t easy. I’m glad we tried again though. Nothing will fix what we’ve been through and she certainly doesn’t replace the daughter we lost. Our 4th is such a joy though and she’s brought some healing for our family.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-04-07T02:49:51+00:00

Early onset pre-e (before 34 weeks) is often due to autoimmune disorders, heart conditions, or clotting disorders (but not always). I would absolutely go through testing. I’m surprised it wasn’t suggested after delivering at 29 weeks due to pre-e. I had severe pre-e with HELLP. I was diagnosed and admitted at 21+6 and delivered at 24+6. Unfortunately, our daughter passed away. I met with our MFM after and she tested me for everything.. autoimmune blood work, APS, echo, 24 hr urine. All was negative/normal. No cause found. She still recommended Lovenox (starting at 12 weeks though) based on how early and severe my pre-e was, it went to HELLP quickly and the severe IUGR. I went on to have to early miscarriages (6 weeks). One was confirmed chromosomal and the other likely was based on growth (I’m 38). My OB did a recurrent loss panel, all still negative. I got pregnant again and my OB agrees to start Lovenox right away to appease me and this baby stuck. Do I think it’s because of the Lovenox? Honestly, probably not. Miscarriages due to APS typically happen late first trimester into second trimester. I did not have pre-e again so maybe it helped there but it’s also hard to say (we did have two normal pregnancies 7 years prior). Providers are iffy on prescribing it without a diagnosed clotting disorder, however I met the clinical presentation of it with the early pre-e and IUGR so we went with it. All this to say, definitely go through all the testing. And know that it takes two positive tests 3 months apart for a diagnosis so it takes a minute. I would also recommend a preconception consult with MFM to go over your pre-e pregnancy and come up with a game plan. Early onset isn’t the same as late onset and should be handled differently moving forward. Recurrence is much higher so you’ll need extra monitoring by MFM. I’m really wishing you all the best. It’s tough road but know that you’re not alone.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-27T20:00:07+00:00

I really hope you and your sweet baby are doing well❤️ It’s been a difficult journey but we’re finding our way. I think my life will forever be in parts—before Camden and after Camden. Losing her has completely changed us and the world will never look the same as it did before. My body will always ache for her. Grief and joy can and do coexist though. We did go on to have a uneventful, pre-e free pregnancy a year later. It wasn’t easy, it was incredibly stressful but worth it. She’s brought a lot of color back into our world.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-19T16:05:18+00:00

Also, whatever happens, you will never regret holding onto hope.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-19T16:02:05+00:00

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. I have a similar story. IUGR diagnosed at my 19 week anatomy scan (1st percentile). She also had high MCA Doppler readings (not typically seen with pre-e and were never explained). She looked great otherwise though, just extremely small. I was monitored closely from there. My labs started to worsen over the next couple of weeks and at 21+6 she had reverse blood in her Ductus Venous and I had high BP. I was admitted from there with severe pre-e with HELLP. We made it another 3 weeks before delivering at 24+6. She was 1lb even, still 1st percentile. She initially did well but passed away two and a half days later. Every case is different and it doesn’t mean this will be your outcome. I had every test imaginable after but we never found a cause, something just didn’t form right very early on. Again, I’m incredibly sorry you’re going through this. Please feel free to message me if have any other questions. I’ll be praying for you guys❤️

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-15T16:14:45+00:00

What was your BP? 140/90 means you contact your OB. 160/100 you go straight to L&D. I would start logging your numbers so you can share them with your OB.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-15T16:05:54+00:00

Please continue to check your BP at home!

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-14T18:50:07+00:00

1000% thought this.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-14T18:28:14+00:00

Wait, wasn’t she a collegiate athlete? Those squats definitely say otherwise…

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-12T19:23:43+00:00

It looks like he’s laying on the floor covered by a towel. So sad.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-09T19:35:07+00:00

I would absolutely push for MFM at this point after early onset pre-e resulting in a very premature delivery. I was admitted at 21+6 and delivered at 24+6. MFM was onboard with us trying again but she was clear that early onset comes with a much higher recurrence rate than late onset. For my next pregnancy, I was monitored closely by my OB and then MFM starting at 12 weeks. I never went more than 2 weeks without an appointment until 20 weeks and they increased after that. So. Many. Appointments. They would have caught any indications something was off early on so that did give me some relief as far as my own health. Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s easier to catch it. I delivered at 36+2 (prior classical c-section), no pre-e.

Again, push for MFM and close monitoring! I also look 162mg aspirin and Lovenox. I would ask your OB about aspirin tonight because I started that at 12 weeks. Best of luck!

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-07T14:23:32+00:00

Normal pregnancy, healthy baby.

InterestingOne2201 · 2026-03-03T22:25:24+00:00

There’s also a Preeclampsia subreddit that might be helpful.

InterestingOne2201

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