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I had #preeclampsia with all 3 kids. Mild, onset during labor with 1st. Mild turning severe postpartum with 2nd. Severe with 3rd, onset at 35w5d. My youngest has a birthday coming up, and I wanted to tell about it. It helps me to reflect, and I hope it can help someone. 1/
"Preeclampsia is persistent high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy or the postpartum period and is often associated with high levels of protein in the urine OR the new development of decreased blood platelets, trouble with the kidneys or liver, fluid in the lungs, 2/
... or signs of brain trouble such as seizures and/or visual disturbances." https://preeclampsia.org/what-is-preeclampsia 3/
The @preeclampsia was extremely helpful to me in my own education and for help with advocating for myself. I'm grateful for their work. 4/
I had no risk factors for preeclampsia, except for prior history of preeclampsia. That history helped me to be a better advocate for myself and my babies. I had an OB checkup at 35w5d, and my BP was 120/77. But, I had gained 3 lbs in 6 days and I was feeling off. 5/
I *knew* the preeclampsia storm was brewing. Moms know. Listen to us. That night, I felt very weird and took my BP. It was 150/104. Here we go. I went to L&D. Blood labs (checking for HELLP) were fine, my BP was all over the place. Was sent home. 6/
Went to OB next day, BP in office was 160s/crap and they gave me an Rx for labetalol, a blood pressure medicine. We did a steroid injection to help speed baby's lung development. BP responded to meds, though we had to continue increasing the dose. It was still high. 7/
Ultrasounds and NST happened. Waddled in to my appointment at 37w6d, amazed that I was allowed to remain pregnant for this long. Was stunned that my OB wanted me to stay pregnant another week before inducing. 8/
She told me inductions before 39w get reviewed by a hospital board. OB wanted to avoid that. Um. No. Told me she was concerned about baby's lung development and spending time in NICU. 9/
This was against guidelines, which state induction is appropriate. Given my history and my BP, my baby and myself were at high risk. I didn't want to have a seizure or a stroke. I didn't want my baby to die. I didn't want to die. It was not safe for me to remain pregnant. 10/
I brought backup to that appointment, info from the @Preeclampsia Foundation and my verbal assurance that the Foundation would go to bat for the doc, should she be challenged at the review. That helped. 11/
I arrived at hospital that evening. Medicated BP was 150/90s, they started pitocin after I declined inducing with misoprostol. The contractions felt different than the ones from my previous births. I dozed a little, and posted on social. Not in active labor. 12/
1:45 a.m. woke me up with good, productive contractions. They were getting intense and I didn't have as much of a break between. I wanted the pitocin turned off, but my nurse seemed to think that would stall my labor. lol. My active labor ended up being about 90 minutes. 13/
Transition was fast. Nurse checked me, 7cm, and water broke at that time. I told the nurse, the doc isn't going to make it. I knew the doc was at home still. Just giving a helpful heads-up, nurse! 14/
Nurse finally turned off pitocin. She left to call doc and didn't come back for awhile. It was the most intense 14 minutes of my life. It hurt. I was over it. "Crowning!" I yelled, while my doula and husband were trying to push the "call" button for a nurse. 15/
Nurse flew in and caught my baby. Medical folks, do not ever doubt a 3rd time mama with no epidural who says the doc will not make it on time. 16/
My BP started lowering immediately after birth. They started me on magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures. I had neurological involvement -- brisk reflexes and beats of clonus on my ankles. I was in maternal ICU for a day or so. 17/
I needed BP meds for several weeks postpartum. My baby didn't need time in NICU. I had excellent care in hospital, and my OB admitted an induction was warranted. Ya think? We had a good outcome. We were fortunate. 18/
I am at higher risk for heart disease and stroke, given my preeclampsia history. I will need to advocate for my health just like I had to advocate for my health during pregnancy. See: https://www.preeclampsia.org/heart-disease-stroke
Thank you for reading my story.
19/19
Thank you for reading my story.
19/19
