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- Advocacy
Posted On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 By Kersita Maschmeier
My Story began on May 5th when I discovered I was pregnant with my first child. I have never been pregnant prior to this and I was incredibly excited. I rushed into my husbands and mine's bedroom waking him up from bouncing on the bed and showing him the two lines on the pregnancy test. It was my happiest moment in my life so far. My pregnancy progressed pretty normally; they were concerned about me becoming a diabetic due to family history so they were keeping a close eye on my blood sugar levels. It never became a... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 31, 2017 By Chelsea
Well my story would begin three days before my daughter was born. I was having horrific upper abdominal pain that would wrap around to my upper back right in between my shoulder blades, along with a tightening feeling in my chest that felt like heart burn only 50 times worse and wouldn't go away... In the early morning of day three (July 14, 2016) I had all I could take and went in the ER. They ran a bunch of tests then and once they did an ultrasound they found I had an enlarged gallbladder and gallstones. Well I guess with all the stress and pain I was in, it threw me in labor. I had my daughter about 4:30 pm. A couple days later we were home again. I was still in a lot of pain but we... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 19, 2016 By Mandy Fredericks
I remember it like it was yesterday. The day I went in for what I thought was a routine prenatal checkup turned out to be one of the most emotional, scariest days of my life. I certainly never expected to end up in the hospital in tears. The remaining five weeks of my pregnancy thereafter were much of the same. The Diagnosis: Thirty-two weeks pregnant and feeling somewhat okay, I headed to the doctor's office on my lunch break for a routine checkup. I told my coworkers I'd be... Read More
Posted On Saturday, December 17, 2016 By Ashley
I was 37 weeks when my midwives took me off bedrest because I could officially go into labor safely. I begged them to let me stay off work because I was so swollen I couldn't walk, and I had this paralyzing pain in my right side that would me out of nowhere. But it was a no. I went back to work, but only part time because my body couldn't handle anything more. I had gained 60 pounds, I was swollen everywhere, but they said everything I was experiencing was normal. How would I know any different? Maybe I was just being a baby and needed to suck it up. My widwi always showed interest in the baby but nothing in me. Was what I was going through really normal? I was 38... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 17, 2016 By Jennifer
In November 2015 I found out that I was pregnant for the first time in my life (at the age of 43) almost immediately. I am an RN in the emergency department...one night while at work I took a pregnancy test, not expecting it to be positive since I was only a day late. To my surprise it was positive...I actually thought that I was seeing things. I was working the night shift at the time, so when I came home in the morning and told my husband he was shocked as well, happy but shocked. We tried to not get too excited about it because we thought that my at my age I would miscarry, but as the days went by and our chances of miscarriage... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 17, 2016 By Ashley
My husband and I conceived very quickly on April 1 2015. We were only trying for two months and then we were pregnant. My pregnancy was going great. As a first time mom I was pleased with how things were going. I was working, taking a prenatal swim class, finishing grad school and feeling pretty wonderful minus some lower back pain.At about 32 weeks, while my husband was away for work, I noticed that when I went to lay down at about 5:30p.m. I didn't feel the baby's usual movements. I was worried, I texted my husband, and he told me not to mess around. So I called my doctor, went into L&D with my mother in law by my side and that is when things got tricky.They noticed I had high BP... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 04, 2016 By Jaydelyn
I found out I was pregnant at the age of 23, I was healthy for the most part never really had any health issues but thyroid, which my doctor often monitored closely. I had no problems throughout my entire pregnancy not even a negative test! At 36 weeks I begin to have extreme pains in my stomach that I thought were contractions, our first visit to the hospital they had sent me home stating my contractions weren't stable enough and I wasn't dilated to 3-4 Cm. The Pain had gone away until 2 days later where I found myself back at the hospital this time they gave me morphine and stated contractions once again weren't stable enough. At this point I was co uncomfortable and in so much pain I... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, September 21, 2016 By Alejandro Hernández Pastora
Mi linda Sofia, aún no te hemos visto, pero sé que eres hermosa igual que mamá, estoy en un momento en el cual daría cualquier cosa por saber que leerás esto algún día, al tener la seguridad, sabré que superarás todo. Hoy no es un buen día para nosotros, siento tanta tristeza de pensar que puede pasar que trato de no imaginar, y es casi imposible hacerlo pues a cada lugar que voy o con cada persona que me encuentro me dice lo mismo, así que busco este pedacito de tiempo para yo también llorar, aunque sea hombre debo desahogarme, oculto de mamá, trato de ser fuerte frente a ella para brindarles un mejor estado de... Read More
Posted On Monday, September 12, 2016 By Cassandra
My journey with Preeclampsia started unknowingly at just 21 weeks pregnant. A usual person's New Year starts with excitement and fun while mine started with me waking up with hands so swollen I couldn't even bend my fingers and they hurt so bad. I was hot and grumpy and I really just thought it was pregnancy, but then I checked my blood pressure and it was 144/93 and I thought that was a little high compared to normal. I mentioned it to my mom, but we both just brushed it off. Every day from that point I woke up in the morning crying with swollen hands and I would spend my days sitting around with the windows open in the middle of winter because I was so hot... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 17, 2016 By
I found out I was pregant for the 5th time and shortly thereafter I learned I was expecting twins. I was 35 years old and happy to learn of our new additions. However, in the third trimester I began to have swelling and blood work indicated low platelets. As the end week progressed I learned I had a condition known as HELLP syndrome. My platelets were low bordering severe levels and liver enzymes and various other tests were being carefully monitored. I was admitted to the hospital as my platelets continued to lessen. Constant blood work being drawn and it was a less than joyous occassion as I became extremely anxious and concerned. I prayed daily and that faith brought me through. I was... Read More
Posted On Sunday, August 07, 2016 By owen
I am writing this one week + one day after the birth of my son Hudson Henry. I had shown no signs of high blood pressure, and tested negative for protein in my urine. I didn't show any signs of preeclampsia, and everything was looking normal for my pregnancy. On Thursday July 28, I went to my ob-gyn to find I was 3cm dilated. She checked me out inside, broke my plug, and started the process of my son coming into the world. I began getting contractions, sporatically for a couple of days. On July 30, at 3:30AM, my partner and I decided to head to the hospital. Upon arrival, I... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 14, 2016 By Natalie Butterworth
5 suggestions for when you have a friend or family member in the hospital This is meant to be helpful for those who do have someone in the hospital. I spent 30 days in the hospital prior to my daughter being born. I learned a lot from my experience and want to share it with others to be helpful for those who do have to go through a tough time. It's impossible to know what someone will need or want until you experience it yourself. 1. If you have a friend or family member in the hospital, especially if it's for an extended stay, visit with her. Those hospital days are long and painful. It really hurts to be separated from your... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 30, -0001 By Brooke
Hi my name is Brooke Hotaling, I'm 18, when I found out I was pregnant at 6 weeks the doctors said that my blood work results were low and looked like I was going to miscarry so I then had to redo them and my numbers went up so they told me not to worry, at 8 weeks I was at a football game in Syracuse, Ny. I then was on my way home to Auburn, Ny. When I thought I had to use the bathroom and thought I peed myself so we stopped at my befriends brotheds house in Liverpool, Ny, where I then went to the bathroom and noticed I was gushing blood so I immediately got scared and told my sons father in a text what was going on and that we had to go because I was embarrassed to say it out... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 30, -0001 By Julia
On June 6th, I got sent to the hospital while I was at my obgyn appointment doing my stress test. I was having contractions 3 minutes apart, my blood pressure was extremely high, but was only dilated to a one. While at the hospital they tested me for pre-eclampsia and that of course came back positive. They decided to break my water, to try and help get my baby boy here. After 4 days, (72 hours) of labor, they decided it would be best to do a c section, because I was only dilated to a 3. June 9th, at 6:36am My precious baby boy was born, heatlhy weighing 7lbs 14oz. After his birth, I was still really swollen and blood pressure and heart rate was high. My doctor had to leave out of... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 07, 2016 By Kimberly
It all started when I found out I was pregnant with difficulties. When I found out I was pregnant things turned badly, my baby was small and not growing like a normal baby should to my baby possibly have down syndrome. Things turned better but my little bean still was small but didn't have DS. I was just 22 weeks along when I realized my feet got swollen, blurry vision, and having bad headaches. I thought nothing of it and told myself, I'm fine. With my first I didn't have any complications she's ten years old now. I was sixteen when I had my first, I'm now twenty seven years old. I kept going on with my life happily being pregnant with number two. I made it to twenty three... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 06, 2016 By DIANA
Hola chicas quiero compartir mi historia ya que nadien esta a salvo totalmente de la preeclamsia esto puede servir de ayuda a otras mamitas, tenia 20 semanas cuando me diagnosticaron un trastorno hipertensivo del embarazo desde eso me empeze a preocupar y mi presion aumento mas tenia la dosi mas alta del medicamento y aun asi mi presion subia, tenia tanto estres que perdi peso 4kg en 15 dias y mi presion elevada luego me empeze a hinchar y un dia por la mañana me desperte y senti un dolor en mi espalda, no le preste mucha atencion, luego el dolor se extendio hasta el abdomen y supe que eran contracciones tenia tan solo 31 semanas y mi bebe ya tenia retraso del crecimiento pesa 1190 gr,... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, June 29, 2016 By Kristen
I had been diagnosed with hypertension when I was in my 20s. (Thank you, genetics). I was on and off meds for a few years, and for at least a whole year, my blood pressure was measuring fine, and I had not been on any medication. I got married in 2011, and we were finally ready to start a family in 2014. We found out my due date was smack dab on Valentine's Day, 2015! I was hesitant to tell family (even my parents) until 12 weeks, but my doctor said we could (I was almost 7 weeks) in case of any complications. At that point - I knew "complications" could probably only mean miscarriage - preeclampsia had not even entered my mind. So we went on and surprised... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 30, -0001 By BARBARA
Mi nombre es Barbara Rodriguez tengo 33 años de edad y es mi segundo embarazo con el cual desarrolle el sindrome de hellp en la semana 37, sin haber nunca presentado ningun sintoma previo, fui a todas mis consultas con el medico ginecologo, el dia que me dio el sindrome estaba sentada de lo mas relajada platicando con mi familia sde pronto senti ganas de ir al baño y despues de eso me empezo a doler la cabeza horrible y sude mucho al grado de bañarme en sudor en 5 minutos, no soportaba la luz, el ruido, todo me molestaba, llegue a una clinica de urgencia en la cual me canalizaron y me trataron de estabilizarme la presion arterial y poderme trasladar al centro medico de mi estado,... Read More
Posted On Thursday, June 02, 2016 By natalie
Hi: my name is Natalie and I am a 36-year-old wife and mother of 2 children. My Daughter is 6 and my son will be 5 this summer. Preeclampsia is not something that only occurs during pregnancy. Pregnant mothers just like myself can have wonderful pregnancies with no complications, deliver perfectly healthy babies and then suddenly symptoms of preeclampsia occur. I got a taste of postpartum preeclampsia shortly after my daughter was born. I was being released from the hospital and my nurse made mention that my pressure was on the rise and indicated that she was going to contact my OB. Later that day I was discharged with instructions to monitor my pressures… I went home and Googled... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 30, -0001 By 1rgs
In June 1990, my husband & I were expecting our third child. Out two previous pregnancies had been basically normal- I had extreme morning sickness & gestational diabetes (diet-controlled) in the first pregnancy, but typical morning sickness in the second and no diabetes. In this pregnancy I had been able to avoid morning sickness by making sure my stomach was never completely empty. Except for a single severe headache one Sunday in May (didn't even consider contacting Dr., since it was gone by next morning), I'd had no exceptional discomforts. On Father's Day, I woke feeling as though I had a kidney infection-something else I first experienced in my... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 18, 2016 By Paige
I found out I was pregnant in the middle of everything. I was finishing graduate school for my MSW and had been together with my boyfriend at the time for almost a year. We had literally just talked about getting married and planned on having our first child within a year of our marriage. I started feeling sick constantly so I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. I worried about us being ready for this huge, unexpected change, but when I called my boyfriend and told him I was pregnant, he was really happy. We got engaged the following month. We were martied in June, when i was 5 months pregnant. My pregnancy was an exciting, happy time, and seemed very normal... until I hit my... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 16, 2016 By Monica
Between Deguen turning 4 just a couple days ago and it being Preeclampsia Awareness Month, the fact that I'm a HELLP Syndrome survivor is on the forefront of my mind. Perhaps if I share my story, a mom-to-be may recognize some of the same symptoms and save her and her baby's life. My pregnancy with Deguen was straight forward and easy for the most part. There were a few common pregnancy complaints which now looking back were actually HELLP Syndrome symptoms. At 37 weeks my feet swelled considerably. The day before, I attended my friend's bridal shower and I had worn heels, walked all over the city and sat on a bar stool with my feet dangling for a couple... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 11, 2016 By ariana
My story begins in March 2016. My daughter Aarabella's birthday was March 1st, mine was March 9th, and my husbands was March 26th. We had a long month of March birthdays to celebrate. I started swelling. It was so bad, I broke my sandals from the heaviness of my feet. I also couldn't seem to keep food down. I would throw up before i even finished a plate. I saw my doctor as scheduled. He said it was "normal". I could feel something deep down telling me it wasn't normal. I also mentioned that I saw spots occasionally. That was nothing to be concerned about he had told me. So, after gaining no weight during my pregnancy i suddenly weighed as much as my partner. About 200 lbs from 178. I... Read More
Posted On Saturday, May 07, 2016 By Brittany
Part 1 I was scheduled for a planned c section on October 14, 2015 around 39 weeks. River arrived at 36 weeks instead on September 24. It all really started a few days before he was born. I hadn't been feeling well a few days leading up to his birth and had this weird sense of "impending doom" you could say. I actually got really depressed and weepy and felt so tired and ill. Intuition I guess. The day before I had him I especially started feeling bad and having a strange sharp squeezing and shooting pain right behind and above my belly button, sometimes in my ribs. It came and went in a pattern like contractions but it wasn't contractions and I was not in labor. My back... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 05, 2016 By Paige
I was 36 weeks pregnant when I went in for my regular doctor's visit. It was Wednesday May 27th. I had been feeling miserable and was swelled up pretty bad, but that's part of pregnancy right? And with this being my first pregnancy, I didn't know any different. My husband and I got into the exam room, and the nurse checked my urine, and my blood pressure. She then informed me that by blood pressure was way too high and I had protein in my urine so I needed to lay on my side till the doctor came in. My Doctor came in and rechecked my blood pressure. She then said I have severe preeclampsia and was going to be sent to the hospital to have my baby. All I heard... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 04, 2016 By Susan
At 28 weeks I had an episode during my first pregnancy. I felt like I was completely out of it and not all together there. I remember going to my dad's house since my husband was still at work. We ended up calling 911. They suggested that I call my doctor's office first to see what they recommend and call back if needed. By the time the doctor on call had called me back I was feeling back to normal. It was such an odd feeling like I couldn't say the words I wanted to say fast enough. I was almost in slow motion struggling to talk. Then a week later I was getting up for work like normal. Thinking about things I needed to do that day. Next thing I know I am being slapped in the face by a... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 04, 2016 By KateLyn Smith
I had previously had two extremely healthy babies. Two healthy pregnancies with the exception of a bit of preterm labor during my first that had been stopped with medication. I was a little older during my third pregnancy, 31, and because we were using preventative measures to conceive, we found out far along about our little bundle on the way. I also wasn't the pillar of a healthy mommy-to-be because of this. About six months in, I had a very high BP reading at a check-up. I convinced my doctor that it was because I was streseed, anxious, suffering from panic disorder. I wasn't suffering from headaches or any of the other symptoms associated with PE, so I went on my... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, May 03, 2016 By Kim Senatore
At the age of 34 I found out I was pregnant. From the minute I saw the positive test I know it was not a normal pregnancy. I found put I was pregnant 6 days before I mossed my period and I was extremely sick and exhausted. In the back of my head I kept thinking there was more than 1 baby. That was confirmed when I had my 1st ultrasound on friday the 13th at 5 weeks 6 days. I remember the ultrasound told me I was wasting her tims because I was so early but she ate her words as soon as she placed the probe on my abdomen. I was carrying identical twins. My pregnancy was brutal. I had morning sickness the entire time and at 33 weeks I was admitted to the hospital for PIH. I spent the week... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 02, 2016 By Stacy Smith
My first pregnancy I had gestational diabetes. My second pregnancy I had pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. It was the scariest time of my life. I didn't know I had it until I was admitted to hospital and transferred to a hospital with a level III NICU. My baby was born six weeks early and we had to leave her in the NICU when I was discharged. My pressure didn't go down after delivery and I was in and out of the hospital for several weeks. Finally I was put on some blood pressure meds that worked. I've been on medication for eight years and probably will be for the rest of my life. I still have strong emotions when I see pre-eclampsia on tv shows or when I see... Read More
Posted On Sunday, May 01, 2016 By Amy
As we get close to Mother's Day, it's sad to say that as I should be celebrating that I am still a mother to an Angel in Heaven. I can't say I can celebrate that day without having my daughter with me. On Feb 16, 2016, I had my doctors appointment. My blood pressure was high at 164/96, after checking it three times the doctor stated I had to be admitted for 24 hours for a protein urine test. I had no idea of what preeclampsia could be or lead to. As the 24 hours passed by, they had given me the steroid injections for my baby's lungs. On February 18, 2016, the doctor stated I had to have an emergency c-section as my protein in my urine was at 11,000 and the only way to get rid of my... Read More
Posted On Sunday, May 01, 2016 By Kristin
Neither of my pregnancies have been easy. I wasn't one of those woman that enjoyed being pregnant. I actually never could understand how anyone could possibly say they liked it. Both times I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Both times I was constantly achy and tired. I was nauseated all throughout my second pregnancy and with Ethan I had a lot of swelling. We had a huge scare when we went in for our 20 week ultrasound with Audrey. After hearing the wonderful news that I was carrying a baby girl, we were told that there were signs of Down syndrome on my ultrasound. We spent the next month having more ultrasounds and more blood work done, to finally be told that our... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 29, 2016 By Sarah
Sunday, August 9th, my husband Kirk and I went for a walk on the bike path. It was a warm summer day, but as the sun was setting the cooler air felt like a relief. I was 36 weeks pregnant. As soon as we hit the meadow I started seeing gold stars. Little fireflies dancing in the sky, except I knew I wasn't seeing fireflies. This was a dreaded symptom of preeclampsia my doctor warned me about. On Saturday the 8th I had a scheduled stress test because my blood pressure was creeping up. I starting doing these tests twice a week when I was 35 weeks pregnant. Two straps hugged my 9-month pregnant belly and the sound of a speeding heartbeat eased my mine. Josephine was doing... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 29, 2016 By Whitney
I was 28 weeks pregnanat and started feeling very yucky. I had a good bit of swelling my whole second trimester but my hands and face began to swell drastically. I started taking my blood pressure at home. It was getting higher and higher. Finally one day after work I checked it and it was 150/98. I called my doctor and they wanted me to come in. They kept me over night for observations and I did the 24 hour urine test. When it came back my proteins were very high. They were able to control my blood pressure with me laying on my left side and they diagnosed me with Pre-Eclampsia and sent me home on strict bed rest. Two days... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 By Haylee
When I found out I was pregnant, it was the happiest moment in my life. It's crazy how you can never think about starting a family and then that pregnancy test pops up positive and then thats the only thing you can imagine for your future. I was due on August 1, 2016. We found out I was having a baby girl. I feel like that's every mother's dream come true, a little princess to call my own. I started going to my OB at 8 weeks. Every appointment was wonderful, my sweet Olivia was growing big and strong and I was healthy. I hit 23 weeks and I started to experience "heartburn" or so I thought. In fact the second day I had it, it got so severe I was rushed to the ER. That night is still such... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 21, 2016 By Kaely
In October of 2015, I became a wife. Something I had wanted for so long. Our wedding day was perfect, despite the coldest day of the season thus far falling on that day. It was the perfect day. The best day of my life. That was until the next month, the day before Thanksgiving when I learned that I would be extending my portfolio to mother. I was so shocked because I didn't think it would happen so soon for us. But it was the best thing ever. I just remember crying after finding out, because I was so excited. For so many years, the one thing that I was so excited for was becoming a mother. It's the one thing that I always felt would complete my life. That... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 20, 2016 By Stephanie
January of 2014, we found out that we were expecting a baby and that was going to be due on September 6, 2014. In April we found out it was a girl! We were so excited and ready for the challenge of bringing a baby into this world. Everything was going great until the afternoon of May 29th, when I went to the doctor for a regular checkup and glucose test. After the nurse took my blood pressure and the doctor came in, I was told that I would need to go to the hospital to be monitored for a few hours because my... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 20, 2016 By Peggy
I was expecting my first baby, a girl. I was very excited, I went to my doctors apt. and they said your blood pressure is a little high. It normally was good I was kinda concerned. Well they put me on a 24 hour urine test and after that I thought nothing of it. My numbers came back just a little elevated so I was ok with that. I went home and 2 weeks later my mom came over to my house and she seen how puffy I was and told me I need to call my doctor. So the next day I did and they wanted me to come in. So I arrived on time and the nurse called my name and said Hunny you need to get into the office at once. Took my blood pressure it was... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 18, 2016 By Sara
Me quedé embarazada con 30 años, siempre he tenido una salud muy buena y me cuidé mucho antes y durante mi embarazo. Cuando me quedé embarazada pesaba 49 kilos. No tuve ninguna molestia en todo el embarazo, durante los cuatro primeros meses tan solo engordé un par de kilos. Del cuarto al quinto mes aumenté 4 kilos y mi dieta continuaba siendo la misma. Comenté con la matrona y los ginecólogos mi repentina subida de peso pero no le dieron importancia. Les dije que estaba comiendo muy poco, que bebía mucha agua, caminaba y hacia natación. ... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 14, 2016 By Marie
I was nesting. I was cleaning every square inch of where we were going to live. I was 30 weeks along. I thought to myself I'd pack a bag for the hospital. Then "No, that is crazy. I still have so much time." Little did I know that I did not….A few days after as I walked to the bathroom I felt something and then there was blood. I screamed for my mom, although, it felt like I didn't scream at all—it felt like my voice didn't sound like anything. We called the hospital. I walked straight out the door and into the car I did not want to wait for a call back from the doctor. We arrived in the emergency room - they immediately... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 13, 2016 By Kristin
My second son was born a few days before Christmas. The delivery itself went smoothly and our son was healthy. We were home in time for Christmas Eve. That night I tried to go to sleep, but every time I would lie down I had a pounding headache. When I stood up again, it would subside. I figured it was just from the stress of being in a hospital and because our newborn was waking up every few hours. ... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 07, 2016 By Amy
It has taken a lot for me to get to the point where I can share my story. I have wanted to share the story for a long time but reliving every detail was just more than I could handle. I am now ready. If I can help just one person by sharing and spreading awareness of pregnancy / labor complications, then this journey was more than worth it. Please read our story below.. Our Story: Up until 28 weeks I had a normal pregnancy with no issues. On March 12th my right leg swelled up to about 3 times its normal size. I looked as though I had one elephant leg and one giraffe leg. I called my doctor thinking it was just normal "pregnancy swelling", and to my surprise I was told to go straight... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 By Lidia
Mi nombre es Lidia Fuertes soy de Nicaragua. En agosto del año pasado me entere que iba a ser mamá, fue la noticia mas hermosa de mi vida por que mi esposo y yo habíamos planeado ese bb. Durante los seis meses de mi embarazo todo iba bien gracias a Dios, pero a mediado del séptimo mes de mi embarazo la gastritis me empezó a molestar; fui como 4 veces al hospital de noche por que era el momento donde el dolor me atacaba. En una de las 4 veces que fui al hospital dilataron en atenderme y cuando al fin me llamo el doctor, al tomarme la presión notaron una alteración de la misma y de inmediato me internaron. Al hacerme los monitores mi bb estaba bien... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 By Wendy
Sutton resident Wendy Kendrick has been running for 25 years, and she had no plans of stopping after narrowly missing the explosion at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Wendy, a Project Manager at Framingham-based LFB USA, a sister company of rEVO Biologics, ran her best time that year (3 hours, 28 minutes), crossing the finish line shortly before the bombings occurred and close enough to hear the explosion. With her family on the sidelines, the danger hit very close to home. But she ran again in 2014 and 2015, with her 2015 performance earning her a qualification in this year's marathon. ... Read More
Posted On Friday, February 26, 2016 By Amy Jo
Scott and I were in our first prenatal class and they gave us the tour of the Labor & Delivery Ward half way through class. As we walked pass the NICU, Scott leaned over and asked me what that was, as he didn't hear the instructor. I replied "Oh that's the NICU for premature babies…you don't need to worry about that." And it was like a jolt that rocked my world after that, apparently we were going to know what the NICU was, and know it very well. I was 32 weeks and started to not feel well. I even began throwing up. Thinking it was from something I ate, maybe food poisoning, I called my doctor to check in. The nurse said that as long as I stay hydrated and... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 25, 2016 By Kathryn
My first pregnancy was going so smoothly for the first and second trimester. I rarely felt any nausea, had incredible energy and felt as if everything was going along as it should. Right around 26 weeks, I started to notice my feet swelling and didn't think anything of it, or I guess I thought it was normal. At 27 weeks I started to feel a pain in my upper abdomen. I struggled with it for 2 days before I told my husband something was wrong. When I got to the doctor, they told me about my high blood pressure and large amount of protein in my urine so I was admitted right away to the hospital where I was told that the baby would need... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 10, 2016 By Morgan
My HELLP Syndrome went undiagnosed for 2 weeks along with 2 misdiagnoses. When I hit 31 weeks I couldn't take the excruciating stomach (URQ) and back pain. It was like my whole body was on fire. I was first misdiagnosed with bronchitis and sent home with a demorral shot with no blood work. A week later I went in and they tried to tell me I had gallbladder disease and tried to give me a shot for it and I refused. They finally did blood work after an hour of no one coming in, a nurse from OB (no I was never sent to maternity either visits) ran in and said I needed... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 10, 2016 By Bianca Montalvo
When I found out I was pregnant I was the happiest woman in the world. I immediately went up to my husband and told him the wonderful news. The next day I scheduled an appointment with an OB GYN for my first check up. Everything went smooth up until I reached 3 months. I was throwing up every day, got migraines, and felt very fatigue. However, when I reached my second trimester, it was the happiest time during my pregnancy not only because I didn't have any pregnancy symptoms but because I also felt very energized. During an OB visit one day, they informed me that my blood pressure was 'very' high and asked me if it was ever high before. A red flag went up, and I immediately knew... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 03, 2016 By siobhan
I have had my baby boy.
When I was pregnant I had no signs of the pre-eclampsia I was due on the 7th of January but my waters broke on the 12th the hospital left me for 3 days in labour. So when I had the seizure they gave me an emergency c section and that's when my baby boy was born 15 January. The hardest part was I didn't get to see him when he was 1st born and for 1 week I wasn't able to be a mum and it breaks my heart everyday when I hold him I cherish every moment with him.
Posted On Monday, November 30, -0001 By Crystal
Hello, My name is Crystal Cusack, I'm 24 years old and I was blessed with my beautiful daughter who is 3 months old named Abigail. During my pregnancy we knew that I was high risk due to my blood pressure issues, well by my 3rd trimester we were diagnosed with Preeclampsia. I did everything that I could to not have Preeclampsia, I was dieting, working out and even drinking plenty of water (which I do all those things already). Week of October 25th 2015 I was induced; we went in on October 27th 2015. As the nurses and doctors came in one by one hooking me up to all these machines, IV'S and magnesium I was starting to get scared. By October 29th 2015 at 5am I was already in 25 hours of... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 22, 2016 By Gloria Akhere
On March 25th 2015 I had high BP and got to later know it was preeclampsia.My gyn saw me adding weight and swollen face and feet but never educate me on preeclampsia which I have not heard before (first-time mum). I lost our son at 30 weeks; I was induced and had to deliver baby Jaden (stillbirth). I and my husband really felt bad because we were so attach to him especially when he kicks. Later in July I conceived and my new ob/gyn prescribed baby aspirin to prevent it from occuring starting from 5 weeks but when I was almost done with my dose a scan was done, but baby was not growing at 8 weeks and no heartbeat. I later miscarried. Now I am pregnant at 11 weeks, my new ob has prescribed... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 12, 2016 By Sydnei
I discovered I had severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome in March 2015. I was going to all my prenatal checkups to make sure everything was okay with me and baby. My last 2 prenatal checkups were not normal: I was gaining a significant amount of weight that my OB thought was strange, but didn't do further testing to see if things were ok. I had my last sonogram the end of February and found I was having a boy. We hadn't decided on a name since we figured we'd have more time to think. Some time goes by, and on March 14 around 9:00am I woke up in so much pain! My upper abdominal felt terrible and I didn't know why. I tried to wake my husband up and he thought I was being dramatic but I... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 08, 2016 By Tova Levy
It's Friday night. I am lying in a hospital bed in the intensive care unit after giving birth to my twins, at 35 weeks and three days. My blood pressure is 240 over 120 and my whole body is shaking. I have lost control of my muscles and I can't speak when the doctor asks me if I can hear him. Three other doctors rush into the room and stick a second IV in my other arm. I am now being pumped with drugs in a desperate attempt to reduce my blood pressure which is out of control. I can't see a white light, but I know I am about to die. Rewind eight months. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant. We have a beautiful one and a half year old daughter and we want her to have a... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, January 06, 2016 By Sheena
On May 25, 2013 my day was like any other day. 9 Months pregnant and reaching my due date of June 3. I spent the day cleaning and organizing the last of the few things I had left. That Friday May 24 I had put in my notice for maternity leave and was excited to get some rest before my baby was born. To my surprise Saturday night into Sunday morning my water broke. Calm and in disbelief we drove to the hospital. I remember my boyfriend had to stop to get gas. I laugh now, but was ready to strangle him because the contraction were so intense. Finally, we made it to the hospital around 1230. Did all the paperwork and was finally sent to my room to... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 30, -0001 By viri
HOLA, ME LLAMO VIRIDIANA Y TENGO 25 AÑOS, EN ESTOS DIAS ESTUVIERA PROXIMA A ALIVIARME SI NO FUERA PORQUE HACE 2 MESES TUVE UNA CESAREA DE EMERGENCIA DONDE NACIO EL AMOR DE MI VIDA, MI PEQUEÑA GABRIELITA....ELLA APENAS IBA A TENER 29 SEMANAS DE GESTACION CUANDO MI EMBARZO SE VIO INTERRUMPIDO POR UNA PREECLAMPSIA...EMPECE 1 MES ANTES CON DOLOR DE CABEZA, SE ME EMPEZARON A HINCHAR LOS PIES, LAS MANOS TODA...CUANDO DORMIA NO PODIA DORMIR COMPLETAMENTE ACOSTADA TENIA QUE PONERME MUCHAS ALMOHADAS PORQUE SENTIA DIFICULTAD PARA RESPIRAR...LA VDD ES QUE SIENTO QUE YO TUVE CULPA DE QUE ME PASARA ESTO, YA QUE DURANTE MI EMBARAZO NO CUIDE MI ALIMENTACION, YA HABIA ESCUCHADO HABLAR DE ESTA... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, December 29, 2015 By Nikki
My story begins with my first son. He was due May 17, 2012. I had no idea what preeclampsia was. At 28 weeks, my ob sent me straight to the hospital after a high bp reading as well as protein. I stayed for one week to get steroid shots and procardia to lower the bp. After three days, my ob came in and told me she was going to perform a 24 hour urine test and if it came back negative, we'd be delivering my son that next day. I was scared. Fortunately, after several doses of meds and rest, I was regulated and we were able to make it to 39/1. He came out at 8 lbs 10 oz. Perfect. Fast forward to 2014. My second son was due July 4th. I had a normal pregnancy until I started swelling... Read More
Posted On Friday, December 18, 2015 By Quenby
Posted On Saturday, December 05, 2015 By Alyssa
I am new to the site but was hoping to connect with someone with similar struggles. You hear so many stories that are similar in one aspect or another but usually not someone who has dealt with infertility and HELLP. Let me start by telling my story: My husband and I are highschool sweethearts who married after being together for 10 years. We wanted to be responsible about starting a family so enjoyed our first year together and decided to wait for me to finish school and get established with my job. I finally convinced him to take the plunge. My entire life all I dreamed about was being a mom, never in my life did I imagine it... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 19, 2015 By Kristin
I had been having a lot of pain in my ribs on the right side for a week or so before I went into labor. I never mentioned it to my doctor because I just though I'd twisted funny or carried something I shouldn't have and pulled a muscle. I was taking Tylenol to try and alleviate the pain. On the night of November 6, 2012 I went... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 19, 2015 By Sumona
Pregnancy is the period where a mother nurtures her baby in the womb and develops angiogenic (blood) as well as emotional bond. The family relishes this period, while pampering the expecting mother, and looking forward to welcome their next generation. I was not an exception; every antenatal check-up assured me everything is normal and going well. Pregnancy, however, is not a simple process and the entire scientific community has been struggling to understand the dynamics of this mind that starts with a single cells and ends in a full human child. Since, the entire process happens within the confines of the mother's womb and the slightest disturbance during... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, November 17, 2015 By Michelle
My journey with HELLP did not end like many HELLP journeys end. While some people who get HELLP have it in their 3rd trimester and both the mom and baby are able to be saved - that was not my story. I'd like to share that my story somehow had this "fairytale" ending after losing my first and only child but my story isn't there yet.
You can read about my journey on my blog at www.hellpwhathealsme.weebly.com
I hope to keep this up to date with follow-up doctors apt, lessons learned and hopefully, one day updates on a future pregnancy and a healthy, living baby.
Posted On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 By Sarah
It took my husband and I two years and three early losses to finally get a pregnancy to stick. Thankfully the first half was uneventful, but by 24 weeks my midwife noticed my fundal height was measuring short. Ultrasounds revealed that the baby was measuring behind by a couple of weeks. Small babies run in my family, but I started googling SGA and IUGR, and through IUGR discovered preeclampsia. My blood pressure, always on the low end (105/65 at the first prenatal appointment), was creeping up throughout the pregnancy, rather than dropping like it was supposed to around 20 weeks. I started to think that this would probably happen... Read More
Posted On Monday, October 26, 2015 By Janine
in 2011 I had a wonderful, simple first pregnancy. At 38 weeks my BP elevated slightly and rather than show concern I was induced and had a simple 4 hour labour. Having had a history of mild Hypertension prior to pregnancy, not much more was thought of it and the BP never quite returned to normal before 7 months later when I got pregnant with number 2. 29 weeks again of simple and uneventful pregnancy came to an abrupt end when my Dr called saying my BP was a little high and I should visit the Women's Assessment Unit for a brief check. I stopped by and after several BP checks and protein checks and several hours a decision was made that I had PE and would not be discharged until after... Read More
Posted On Monday, September 28, 2015 By melissa
Many women, when they reach the sixth month of pregnancy, start to think about the "essentials" they need to get prepared: what will the nursery look like? Do I have enough clothes? Disposable or cloth diapers might be questioned. And of course, the unmistaken fear that the hospital bag won't be packed on time. My mind was most definitely on my "hospital bag" in this, my second pregnancy because the check list this pregnancy is much different than the last time. I am not worried about the baby's coming-home gown, a breast pump, comfortable PJs, or slippers---I have one article of clothing on my mind and that is all I believed I needed… A PROM DRESS. Yes, you... Read More
Posted On Saturday, September 19, 2015 By Rashel Masters
I was pregnant for 35 weeks when my blood pressure spiked. I had never had blood pressure or cardiovascular issues before. My O/B told me to get a blood pressure monitor. I bought an Omron and monitored my pressure at home. The O/B had me do a 24 hour urine collection to test for protein. The analysis came out borderline. I kept monitoring my pressure until the following Friday when I was 36 weeks pregnant. That was January 23, 2015. I went to my O/B for a normal check up that morning. They measured my pressure and it was high. My O/B decided to reschedule my upcoming ultrasound... Read More
Posted On Sunday, September 13, 2015 By Louanne
My first pregnancy was difficult as I was sick from day one till the day I delivered. At 36 weeks, I woke up with a headache like I have never had. I called the doctor and saw him that afternoon. I was spilling protein in my urine, my BP was 220/150 and my hands were swollen. They sent me directly to the hospital and I was there for a month as my baby was very tiny. Due to fetal distress, she was delivered at 40 weeks by emerg c-section. She weighed 5 lbs, 4 oz but was fine. I continued to have bp issues but was put on meds to control it. After losing 50 lbs my bp came down, and I got pregnant again. No issues other than at 38 weeks I started having contractions, so she was... Read More
Posted On Thursday, September 10, 2015 By Ali
My first (and only so far) pregnancy was "interesting" to say the least. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and was very careful to monitor my blood sugar as directed, and never had an issue with my sugar being "out of bounds" - unless I ate restaurant italian food, so I just avoided that. My blood pressure was picture perfect at every appointment. Late in my third trimester, my daughter was big, and I was so short. I spent a lot of time in physical therapy trying to realign my pelvis which she kept moving out of whack! "Just a few more weeks" I kept saying to myself. My 41st week mark came and went. I was starting to get restless (and a little hostile!). They ordered an ultrasound... Read More
Posted On Friday, September 04, 2015 By Natasha Robinson
Today I received news that a dear friend of mine Bethany who is expecting a baby boy named Hunter in November was diagnosed with severe Preeclampsia. She's 30 weeks pregnant but the baby is measuring at 25 weeks. He's not growing at a normal rate and he's having trouble receiving oxygen. Bethany was told tonight that no soon to be mother ever wants to hear she will have to give birth to her precious baby boy Hunter very prematurely they have scheduled her for a c-section this weekend. Knowing Hunter is gonna have to fight for his life outside of the womb on behalf of my friend Bethany I would like to ask for many many prayers. My heart weighs very heavy for her. Knowing what she's up... Read More
Posted On Monday, August 31, 2015 By Karin
I remember looking through your stories when I was 35 weeks pregnant, and getting myself all worked up thinking my severe headache was a sign of Preeclampsia. Turns out, that was one case where Dr. Google was actually helpful. So, I thought I would add my story, in hopes that someone frantically googling symptoms finds it helpful as well. Last year around this time I was 35 weeks pregnant. My pregnancy had been pretty textbook up until this point. I had been seeing a midwife, taking my prenatals, getting regular exercise, and gaining just the right amount of weight. My midwife used to end each appointment by saying "Everything looks beautiful, see you in a few weeks." In my third... Read More
Posted On Thursday, August 27, 2015 By Luiremar
En el año 2012 quede embarazada, aun recuerdo como si fue ayer cuando nos confirmaron la noticia, tenia tanta ilusion era mi primer hijo, lamentablemente al tercer mes de empece a hinchar y mi medico tratante me decia que era normal que guardara reposo, a la semana 27 recuerdo era sabado 2 de marzo, me comenzo a dolor el estomago yo pensaba q eran gases pero llego un momento en que no aguanba el dolor, cuando me llevan al medico, le dicen a mi esposo que tengo la tension muy alta y que me tienen que hospitalizar, al cabo de unas horas empece a convulsionar, como el hospital donde me llevaron no reunia las condisiones para intervenirme,ya que el... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 12, 2015 By Ushma
In June 2013, we found out I was pregnant and we were ecstatic! We had no idea it would happen so fast and felt truly blessed. My pregnancy was quite typical – I experienced the usual symptoms such as morning sickness, heartburn, fatigue. Every appointment, I would walk in with a long list of questions for my doctor. As a health services researcher, I knew I should speak up and ask questions…but it was now more important than ever. The doctors and nurses all said it was normal…the doctors weren't worried and for the most part, neither was I.... Read More
Posted On Thursday, August 06, 2015 By Rachel
Almost a year ago I woke up in hospital to find that my baby had been born. I had, and still have, no memory the day she was born, or indeed the few days following. I had three eclamptic seizures at 31 weeks pregnant. Hind sight is wonderful, but sometimes i do feel immense grief at the fact that none of my symptoms were picked up until it was too late. I had had a normal and healthy pregnancy, traveled overseas and had low blood pressure throughout. At 29 weeks my blood pressure started to increase, and over the next two weeks more and more symptoms began to appear. ... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, August 04, 2015 By angelie
Currently I'm in a hospital just being diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. It causes my kidney to stop functioning. Just worried about my condition. It's been days, but still no development... Can you help me please... What can I do to stimulate my kidneys to work again?
Posted On Friday, July 31, 2015 By ruth
I had had a rough first trimester with lots of nausea, then at 15 weeks discovered my partner had been unfaithful a few years back - a really difficult time emotionally, just when I started to feel well physically. We worked through things with counseling, but I was still feeling very down a lot of the time. By 28 weeks I was having visual aural migraines every few days, which was unusual for me, but I had had them in pre-pregancy around period time and had also had one at 6 weeks. My BP was normal and I had no proteinuria so I just assumed migraines were hormonal. By 30 weeks I was feeling tired and 'spaced out' a lot, but thought was just late pregnancy... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 30, 2015 By ANA
2 de abril del 2014, Fui a mi cita de rutina, mis pies estaban hinchados no podía calzar zapatos, mis manos y cara estaban hinchados, había subido de peso 20 libras en un mes, tenia 33 semanas de embarazo, y la doctora no podía creer lo que estaba pasando la presión estaba alta, yo no sentía ninguna anomalía en ese momento, siempre tuve la presión mas baja que alta en todos mis chequeo, de inmediato me envió al hospital, cuando llegue la presión estaba mas alta, y me diagnosticaron preeclamsia severa, me pusieron cualquier cantidad de medicamentos para poder controlar la presión y poder suministrarme los inyectores que madurarían los pulmones de mi bebe, lograron mantenerme en... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 30, 2015 By Rocio
Hola, mi nombre es Rocío, vivo en Canelones, Uruguay. Y esta es mi historia... en 2014 quede embarazada de mi primer hijo, el cual fue buscado por 9 ardos meses,luego de recibir la enorme noticia, siempre se me hicieron los controles rutinarios, mi embarazo fue hermoso,feliz sin ningún tipo de riesgos.Hasta las 36+4 semanas, un sábado corriente a las 9 am tenia mi cita con gine para control cómo siempre, por algún motivo del mundo ese día me acompañó mi madre,se sentía un aire extraño, como si supiera q ese día iba a conocer a mi bebe.Llegamos a la consulta y mientras hablaba con mi doc,la enfermera me tomaba la presión, al finalizar, se le acercó al doc y le susurro en... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 30, 2015 By kaleigh
March 25th 2015 I gave birth to my beautiful daughter. She was born at 36 weeks, weighing 5 lbs and 17 1/2 inches long. Her original due date was April 16th 2015. It was the best and worst day of my life. I had a very easy pregnancy from the start. I never had morning sickness, mood swings, or high blood pressure. I had a very happy pregnancy. On March 25th 2015 I went to my regular 36 week doctor appointment. My blood pressure was 140/ 80 so my midwife went ahead and sent me over to triage at OU children's... Read More
Posted On Monday, July 27, 2015 By kelly
My name is Kelly Warren and I'm from Thomas Co., Ga. I am 20 years old and I had preeclampsia during my pregnancy too. I had high blood pressure problems, swelling all over, tremendous weight gain, and protein in my urine. I was very sick. I would get dizzy from standing to long, and my feet would swell so big after standing for so long as well. Nobody in my family believed that I really was sick and didn't feel good, until I was hospitalized for 3 months before I delivered my baby boy. I fainted a few times in the hospital as I was going to get some test done for the protein count in my urine. It was the most scariest time in my life. My due date was originally... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 22, 2015 By Vicky
We conceived in 2011 with delivery date being 15th May 2012. I was so excited to be pregnant. I knew I was pregnant when I was on holiday in Turkey with a friend and my period had not arrived. I did not particularly feel sick. When it came to about 10 weeks in pregnancy, I was getting a lot of fatigue. I stopped traveling a big distance to my partner, he did the commute to me. He took the pets. The fatigue starting affecting the housework. I was surrounded by all undone housework. I was also losing friends, as they were getting fed up with me, as I was not meeting them in town to go for a meal, as I was either late or still at home, asleep. They were not good friends, were... Read More
Posted On Monday, July 20, 2015 By Micaela
Tengo 29 años, estoy embarazada de mi segundo hijo/a. Mi relacion con la preeclampsia y hellp comenzo con mi primer embarazo. Nunca me imagine todo lo que vivi en el final del mismo, crei que nunca alguien podia vivir semejante experiencia en un momento tan magico como convertirse en mama por primera vez. Mi diagnostico gracias a dios llego tarde, en la semana 36 comenze con unos dolores en la parte superior de la panza, muy intensos. Fui a la clinica a controlarme, y me dijeron que solo era algo estomacal, y que tenia una infeccion urinaria, algo que para una embarazada es bastante normal. Me mandaron de nuevo a mi casa, a los pocos dias el dolor volvio, casi en la semana 37 ese mismo... Read More
Posted On Monday, July 13, 2015 By maritza
I was 19 years old when I got pregnant with my son, now 2 years old. Everything was normal in the begining of my pregnancy. At 28 weeks, I noticed a lot of swelling but didn't think anything of it. At 34 weeks, I had an iron infusion and when they checked my BP it was 150/80, so after my infusion we went to my doctor. They did a stress test and checked for protein in my urine, then sent me home to take a 24hr urine test. The next morning I took the test to the hospital and went home. That night I got a call to come to the hospital: I was going to get induced. It didn't ,so they kept me on bed rest at the hospital. After 6 days in the hospital in bed, my BP was 186/92, so they... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 10, 2015 By mindy
I have learned so much reading others stories so I thought I would share mine... Two years ago I welcomed my second daughter on June 6th. The pregnancy went very well as did my pregnancy with my first. I noticed both times that my feet remained swollen. The second time though after a week after delivery they were still very swollen. I tried to alternate short walks with resting and elevating my feet. I even tried soaking them in tonic water! After 11 days I noticed a pain in my chest when I would have deep breaths or whenever I would lay on my side. I thought at first it was either because I slept wrong on... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 By stephanie
I had my daughter Arianna on March 8, 2015. My pregnancy was a tough one. I had Gestational Diabetes and had to inject insulin 3 times a day. I also had excess fluid in my body which made me develop a pretty bad carpel tunnel syndrome ( I had 4 surgeries on my carpel tunnel after Arianna was born). I was never overweight and I NEVER had high blood pressure at all throughout my whole pregnancy. I went into labor on March 7th and on March 8th I had a C-Section and my beautiful, healthy 7Lb 12 Ounce daughter was born. As every mother knows, in the hospital stay following the birth of a baby, nurses routinely come in and check your blood pressure, temperature, etc.... Read More
Posted On Thursday, June 18, 2015 By stephanie
Hello Everyone, my name is Stephanie and I thought I would share my story with you. On March 8th 2015, I delivered a beautiful, healthy baby girl. My husband and I were over the moon in love and my son loved his baby sister from day one. I felt great and I couldn't wait to get home and show her off to my family and friends. Now, if you have had a child before, you know the nurse comes in every 20 minutes to check your blood pressure, temperature and in my case my c-section wound. Everything was great and I was sent home after 3 days. Day 1, my body went into shock when I got home from the hospital. It lasted for about an hour as my husband put 7 blankets on me and held me... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, June 02, 2015 By Emily
It's been almost two years since I had my sweet, chunky, amazing baby girl. She was my third child, so I thought I knew what to expect. Boy, was I wrong. I had a relatively uneventful pregnancy. I had morning sickness every waking hour until I was 17 weeks along. Around 32 weeks I started measuring a little too big in the belly so I went for an ultrasound. She was huge, albiet healthy. The Dr noted that there was an awful lot of amniotic fluid, but never made a big deal of it. Around 38 weeks I went for another ultrasound because my belly was still abnormally large. The Dr. suggested I be induced because she was so big and had so much amniotic fluid. I had never been induced... Read More
Posted On Saturday, May 30, 2015 By Adela
Have any of you experienced after effects of Preeclampsia and PUPP after pregnancy? I have had two children since, without any complications, such as Preeclampsia or PUPP, but I feel like my body has never fully recovered. My blood pressure has gone down, but it's little things that I've had to take many different kinds of medications for so I just wanted to know what y'all's experience has been. Thank you for your support.
Posted On Thursday, May 28, 2015 By Duwanda
High risk with 3 previous c-sections and difficult deliveries in past, I was told not to having any more babies in the future because it is too risky. After 10 1/2 yrs of no pregnancies, we was definitely in the a surprise to discover we are pregnant. At 33 wks I was admitted and in severe pain. My bp 177/110 and my blood work did not look good, Platlets decreased to 19. I was diagnosed with severe HELLP sydrome, I required alot of assistance to prevent a stroke or/and seizure. With all the doctors was doing my symptons was increasing. My preparation for c-section was in progress. Our baby was 6 weeks early and her grow was slowing down due to her living in my adominal cavity. The... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 28, 2015 By pamela
I became pregnant in 2013. I did not know I was pregnant until month 3 that I missed my period and I started getting sick. I had a lot of morning sickness. I would vomit a lot and I couldn't eat the foods that I use to eat. I wasn't attracted to no sorts of foods. The only thing I could say I liked were fruits: I was in love with grapes and bananas and they did not make me feel sick. I would have to visit the emergency room very often, for reasons like my baby wasn't moving, I would start vomiting at 1pm and it would be 230am and I will still be vomiting so I would have to get shots to stop the vomit and also Rogan was injected to me. No one would believe I... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 30, 2015 By nathaly
la felicidad mas grande de mi vida fue ser madre y el dolor mas grande fue su perdida, de esa tristeza nunca se recupera el ser humano. tenia 23 semanas cuando me comence a hinchar, fui a urgencias y me mandaron incapacidad y toma de afinamiento. dos dias despues volvi y la presion arterial estaba elevada alli fue cuando la peor pesadilla de mi vida comenzo. Me enviaron en ambulancia a la clinica donde estuve internada semana y media con toma de presion arterial y sulfato de magnesio. diagnostico preeclampsia severa que dolor tan grande la unica solucion fue desembarazarse y lo peor es que apenas iba a cumplir las 24 semanas. discutia con los doctores no luchaban por mi... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 28, 2015 By Brittney
I always felt that something was off during my pregnancy but was assured by my doctors that everything was fine until that awful but wonderful day happened. It was the day before Easter, March 30th, 2013 when I was 27 weeks and three days pregnant with my daughter. My husband and I were with family and he had just proposed to me. We were all overjoyed and heading to what we thought would be a normal check up. It was my first pregnancy and earlier in the pregnancy everything seemed normal except I never really felt her move in my belly, when I asked the doctors they said it was... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 23, 2015 By Kelley
At 24 weeks of my first pregnancy, I exhibited all of the classic symptoms of preeclampsia. I just assumed these symptoms were typical with pregnancy. My prenatal care provider at the time somehow didn't recognize them neither and by the time I was diagnosed, I was very ill. I was hospitalized for a week and a half before I needed a cesarian section at 28 weeks. My heart lit up when I came across this foundation, now 8 years later because it proves that more mom's can be educated on this very serious illness. My story didn't end at delivery. After 9 months in the NICU, I was finally able to bring my little boy home! I made a promise to myself, as a nurse and a mom to share... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 14, 2015 By Amy
I was 26 years old and 125 pounds when I became pregnant in 1996. I had very little morning sickness and for the most part, my pregnancy seemed to be progressing normally. An ultrasound revealed that the baby was a girl. My doctor was a young OBGYN who had a pleasant manner. At a routine visit to him in early February of 1997, he noted that my weight had escalated considerably from my last visit. I was at about 24 weeks gestation. He told me to contact his office immediately should I notice or feel anything unusual. On Thursday, February 13, after dropping my husband off at work, I decided to go shopping. I was aggravated that nothing fit comfortably... Read More
Posted On Sunday, March 29, 2015 By stavona
On Febuary 1,2015 I went through the most horrific thing a woman can go through. I was 6 months pregnant (26 weeks to be exact) with a baby boy. My boyfriend and I were overly excited and already planning for Messiah's arrival. I could see the joy in my boyfriend's eyes when he found out we were having a boy. I didn't care, girl or boy, I prayed everyday for a healthy baby and an easy delivery. I had a miscarriage a few months before at 13 weeks, So I felt extremly blessed to have made it to 6 months with this pregnancy. Every day I feared something would just go wrong with this pregancy too, and I guess the feeling I had was real. I didn't have high BP until I became pregnant,... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, March 17, 2015 By Tresa
Olivia's Story: On September 28th, 2014 I never knew that simply walking in to the hospital on a hunch that something was wrong and I didn't feel good would change my life forever. My symptoms included upper right stomach pain, upper gastric pain, and extremely high blood pressure. At this point in my pregnancy I was 22 weeks along, and Olivia was perfect. After being seen by a doctor, they decided it was time to admit me. I was alone and had driven myself to the hospital; my husband was still out of town and not due to make it home until the next day. He was extremely worried and was unable to change his flight and driving would... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, March 03, 2015 By tristan
I got pregnant at 19, it was my first pregnancy and everything was easy! Then I got further along and started having high blood pressure BUT they said no biggie we've seen worse, so I'm thinking they're the dr; I should trust them right? Well, my blood pressure remained high the duration of my pregnancy. I was induced at 38 weeks and I went in on Wednesday had my daughter Thursday. I was on magnesium sulfate, they also told me my placenta looked like it came out of a meat grinder?!?!? They sent me home the next day. I thought, wow, I'm a mom! I had a beautiful little girl and I was happy to get home. Well Sunday came around and I had this headache that only came around when I sat... Read More
Posted On Monday, March 02, 2015 By Raven
The evening of June 30, 2014, while 32 weeks pregnant with my daughter, I was experiencing slight pain in the upper quadrant of my stomach, which was there from the night before. I thought to go to a Patient First center in our area but by the time my husband got home from work it was close to 10pm and the centers were about to close. So my husband called around to see if anything else was open but to no avail. I was so tired so I thought I would just go to bed and deal with it in the morning. My husband was very concerned and urged me to go to the ER just in case. So I forced myself to get out of bed, listen to him and go to the ER. After waiting for what seemed like forever, I get... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 19, 2015 By rachel
I have been reading the stories on this forum for over a year now and they have made me cry, scared, hopeful, happy and supported so before I begin I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has shared their story as I know they are not easy to write. My story begins with a normal pregnancy and ends with a happy ending and I now have an energetic 14 month old boy, Oliver. When I was 30 weeks pregnant I was on my way to my antenatal appointment when I almost crashed... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 16, 2015 By amelia
When I first became pregnant at age 21 (surprise after my husband was told he was sterile from multiple chemotherapy and radiation treatments) the last thing I expected was an abnormal pregnancy. Everything was going fine. I was going to school full time for my bachelor degree and working full time at a dental office during this pregnancy. The last week of the semester I had a presentation due. The day before the presentation I had a gybo appointment. My blood pressure was elevated. The doctor asked me if I was under any stress. I told her it was the week of finals and that I may have been a bit stressed from that. She told me to... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, January 28, 2015 By Catherine
My pregnancy with Marla seemed typical. At every prenatal appointment, I was told, "happy baby." None of the doctors in the practice expressed any concern for mine or the baby's health. This was my mistake, seeing my doctor's colleagues and not just my doctor. I was perfectly healthy prior to this pregnancy so I thought there were no worries. In hindsight, it is obvious where my pregnancy problems began. At 30 weeks I had significant vaginal bleeding. So much that I thought I peed my pants. My husband rushed me to the nearest hospital (mine was an hour away). The doctors there concluded that nothing was wrong. "Some women just... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 20, 2015 By Trashaun
On January 2, 2013 I was 23 weeks pregnant with our first child and we just found out that we were having a girl. So excited we had a gender reveal party and everyone was so happy to find the gender of our baby. I woke up the next morning with flu like symptoms and a painful right arm but I ignored it and just attributed it to pregnancy symptoms. I decided to stay home from work and just rest. However rest was not on the agenda. I began to vomit every 5 minutes and knew this couldn't be "symptoms from pregnancy" I called my doctor who said "This sounds like a stomach bug. Try to get some rest and call us if it doesn't subside." Well, I never got the chance to make that call because my... Read More
Posted On Saturday, January 10, 2015 By Tana
My pregnancy was going great aside from the major feeling of nausea and I was having even the zofran I was taking only helped a little. My doctor told me it was find and it will go away. I was 8-9weeks along when I found out and I was feeling like this for at least a week or two. But I was okay otherwise, my doctor says everything looking great and I was happy and then came time to start planning for the baby and finding out the sex of my bundle of joy. IT IS A BOY !!! We were totally excited and then I started to have back pain and I was sleeping a lot and had head aches and my feet were killing me. I just said that was because I was working and being on my feet and then the... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, December 30, 2014 By LaTonya
After having 2 boys at 31 wks and 28 wks due to eclampsia with the 1st and pre-eclampsia with the 2nd, I'm proud to be 36 wks and everything is going well. During this pregnancy I prayed and prayed and put my faith on display. I monitored my blood pressure everyday and my doctor decided to put me on baby asprin and extra folic acid. Some people may say this didnt work, but I'm a testimony that it did. I have 3 more wks left, due to a scheduled c-section and just want to say, stay with hope and faith. I was completely scared during this pregnancy and hoped and prayed and cried, but through it all I'm going FULL TERM!!!!
Posted On Thursday, December 18, 2014 By Anthony
Ella was born prematurely on 6/5/09. Due to her premature status she was required to stay in the Good Samaritan Hospital NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in Downer's Grove, IL. 4 days after Ella was born my wife Erin was having what we thought was a migraine headache (she has had them before). I woke up earlier then her that morning and went out into the living room. A few hours later I heard moaning coming from the bedroom. I went into the bedroom to see what was going. I found Erin in the bed with her eyes open moaning. She was unresponsive when I spoke to her and seemed to not be able to get out of bed. I tried to speak... Read More
Posted On Sunday, December 14, 2014 By Jacqueline
This is a really difficult story to write because of the sheer trauma of the experience I went through just a little over a month ago. I was diagnosed with chronic high blood pressure over 3 years ago and at the age of 24, that was a very hard thing to accept. I started to lose weight and my blood pressure and cycles regulated after having been almost nonexistent with my excessive weight gain. I fell pregnant during my journey to weight loss in April of 2014. Me and my husband were elated and so excited, I just could not believe that we were finally going to have a baby. I immediately joined the baby forums and started taking part in all those insane conversations. Then I started seeing... Read More
Posted On Sunday, December 14, 2014 By Abbey
On October 23, 2014 I woke up that morning with a horrible headache. I was debating about heading to school, since I'm 21 going to Western Kentucky University to graduate with an Environmental Health degree in May 2015. With the horrible headache I was having I decided to call my fiancés mom, an RN, for her to come check my blood pressure. When she came to check it, it was 220/170. So we got in the car to head to the doctor. However on the way over my life took an unexpected turn. I started having a seizure that lasted 6 minutes. I don't hardly remember much from there... the ambulance was called and they met my family on the road to rush me to the OB ER. From there, I was still not... Read More
Posted On Friday, December 12, 2014 By Lyssa
I was due May 20, 2014 with a baby boy. I never expected anything bad to happen because I had a good, pretty easy pregnancy. I was 36 weeks pregnant and I started feeling more tired and I started to get pain in my kidneys. I have had kidney problems since I was a baby so I figured it was that. So I just went on with my day. A little later on the pain got so severe I couldn't get comfortable and I tried to take anything to ease the pain. I woke up that night with the worst kidney pain I've ever had in my life. I had my mom take me to the ER. There they have me morphine, which barely helped and then switched me over to labor and delivery. There they monitored me and gave me pain... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, December 10, 2014 By Elizabeth
I am a physician and the mother of a 2 year old daughter born after a long struggle with infertility. I really believed that planning our second child for 18 months later would be a second infertility treatment success. I thought I had endured as much hardship as a young mother could be dealt in her family building journey. But at just 16 weeks, I snuck a peek at my baby while at work with a colleague who was similarly pregnant. Her baby nicely displayed his gender identifying parts to us on the ultrasound. Mine was very difficult to see; there seemed to be very little amniotic fluid. Frustrated, I mentioned it at my routine prenatal appointment. And suddenly we were off to the... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, December 10, 2014 By Gretchen
My battle with preeclampsia started just a week ago, literally. Up until last Monday, I had the fairytale pregnancy: no morning sickness, no lack of energy, no problems whatsoever. I went into my pregnancy very fit and active-I completed a 200 mile bike ride at 4 months pregnant and ran in a half marathon at 6.5 months and always had great blood pressure and health. So, finding out that I had a serious medical condition/pregnancy complication was something that neither my husband nor myself were prepared for. About a month ago (beginning of November), I noticed that I had somehow put on quite a bit of... Read More
Posted On Sunday, December 07, 2014 By Ashley
I had a normal healthy pregnancy, excited I was having the first set of twins in my family. At the end of my second trimester I was so miserable and uncomfortable (I was only 98 lbs when I got pregnant) that my doctor put me on bed rest. I noticed one of the babies wasn't moving much but all the doctors and ultrasounds showed 2 happy healthy babies but put me on the kick-count. Two nights later my husband takes me to the hospital where they find extremely high BP and I'm about to have a.seizure. For 4 days I'm on constant supervision, magnesium and steroids. On the 5th day I am 32 weeks to the day. I missed my baby shower. Since they cannot stabilize me they take me into emergency... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, December 02, 2014 By Michelle
Even though it has been nine years since my last pregnancy and bout with preeclampsia, I have never truly gotten over the scare of it all. I was lucky, my babies came early, they survived and thrived. I was blessed to have a husband who is a pediatrician and knew that he needed to rush me to my doctor. I am lucky that when I woke up at home, choking on my own saliva and feeling a "zing"- I don't know how else to describe it- I recovered. Please trust your instincts! This is my advise to whoever may read this. Lying in my hospital bed May 31, 2000 with my five pound little man in my arms, I just "didn't feel right." I never once had high blood pressure in my life, usually on the low side... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, December 02, 2014 By Antoinette
This was technically my second pregnancy, I'd lost my first to a miscarriage. We wanted a baby so badly so every little twinge, spot or cramp made me so scared. But as it turns out, I was worrying about the wrong things. I'd been diagnosed with PIH early on in my pregnancy but honestly, I never gave it a second thought. I figured it was just something that happens with pregnancy and it was no big deal. Again, I was wrong. At 28 weeks, I'd gone in for a routine check up. I remember sitting in the lobby planning what to make for dinner. I was called back, they took my blood pressure and it was high. It's usually high at first, I was a teacher and they... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 01, 2014 By Elizabeth
My story begins with my first pregnancy which was twins. I found out at 3 weeks I was pregnant with twins and was super nervous but excited at the same time. I had a rough half of my pregnancy. I was high risk because I was pregnant with twins and because of my blood type. The first half of my pregnancy I was very sick with nausea and horrible headaches. I also had pregnancy hypertension. At 23 weeks I was at home. My husband was about to leave for work when I had passed out at home. He took me to the hospital and they did blood work, checked my blood pressure and diagnosed me with preeclampsia. I was transferred later that afternoon to a much bigger hospital that could handle the birth... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 21, 2014 By Lara
My story begins the Saturday morning my phone went off saying today I was 30 weeks. I was so excited. I remember thinking I am 30 weeks my baby can live on her own if she had to. Was that a curse that I thought that way or way I just being a paranoid mom to be. No one very tells you the day you find out your pregnant is the day you start to worry about your child for the rest of your life. I had not even met her but I was already so protective of her. From about 20 weeks I started to swell really bad in my legs and hands. My doctor did not seem to be concerned. I was, but I thought well maybe I was just being really sensitive. My mother, mother in law and sister were concerned as well on... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 17, 2014 By Maree
I arrived at my obstetrician's clinic on a Wednesday afternoon after work for a routine check up at 34 weeks in my first pregnancy. I had been feeling a little unwell, but just 'pregnant' I thought - big, uncomfortable, swollen, and perhaps like I had drunk a little too much coffee... I was diagnosed with very high blood pressure and 3+ protein in urea and ultimately with severe pre-eclampsia, despite so far maintaining a regular (albeit low) blood pressure of 90/60, even at my last appointment just two weeks prior. My obstetrician insisted on immediate hospitilisation - a great shock as I had planned on attending yoga after this appointment, and had another three weeks of work left...He... Read More
Posted On Saturday, November 15, 2014 By Veronica
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:30am Waking up this morning, the only thing out of the ordinary was that my left hand was a little more swollen than normal. I thought it was a little odd that all of the swelling that I was experiencing seemed confined to my left side - my left hand, left foot, left side of my face. However, as fast as these thoughts entered my brain, they were quickly shrugged off as "symptoms of being 30 weeks pregant" (to the day) and/or from lack of sleep. As I got myself ready for our 8am checkup appointment, I randomly thought, "Anita probably has the flu and won't be there." Anita is one of our midwives, and like a... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 14, 2014 By Amber
Well I guess I should start my labor story on Jan 7 2013 at 32w2d. It was a normal work day and I had a dr appt for the start of my 2x weekly NSTs. At the appt my BP was 175/99. Started the NST but couldn't keep baby on monitor. Had a u/s and she was sleeping but "breathing". Rechecked my BP and it was 169/100. Sent straight to hospital direct admitted for 24 hour urine and blood draws. Received the first of 2 steroid shots. Was on continuous fetal monitoring with bathroom privileges. On Wed morning the first resident told me my levels were high but I could probably be treated as a outpatient. I was excited. Fast forward a few hours and the attending... Read More
Posted On Sunday, November 02, 2014 By laurel
During my pregnancy with my son Grayson, I became very ill. At 34 weeks I was rushed to the hospital for an emergency c-section. The doctor told me I had pre eclampsia as a response to my son's growth restriction. He told me I would have been dead within 48 hours had they not delivered my son. Grayson was born only 2 lbs 14 oz, when he was 7 days old he passed away from Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Here is our story of love, loss, hope, and a very special NICU nurse.
Posted On Friday, October 24, 2014 By kelly
I found out I had pre eclampsia during my 28 week check up. Midwife noticed my blood pressure was higher than usual, checked my urine and there was protein in it. Her quick thinking got me admitted to our local hospital to be monitored. My blood pressure went up to 170/120 on day 4 of being in hospital, I was then transferred 45 minutes away to another hospital because the hospital I was in did not take baby's born under 30 weeks in their Scbu. On 29/09/2014 I was told after having an ultra sound that my baby had to be delivered that night by emergency section. The full effect of pre eclampsia set in on the Sunday night to early Monday morning. I was told the day... Read More
Posted On Thursday, October 16, 2014 By Jennifer
My story starts a little bit different than most, you see I had been learning about obstetrics for 2 years prior. I am an Ob/Gyn resident and I was in my second year when I found out I was pregnant. I had a completely uneventful pregnancy...until I didn't. At 33 weeks, my blood pressure was mildly elevated and my doctor was concerned and asked me to modify my work schedule a bit and go visit the MFM. Knowing a little too much, I called my doctor in tears after my appointment and asked him if I could maybe get steroids "just in case." So, in the next few days I received my steroid injections and monitored my blood pressure and everything stayed "okay." ... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, October 15, 2014 By Lindsay
Posted On Tuesday, October 14, 2014 By Amie
I won't go into great detail about my first two pregnancies. Basically I had severe pree with both. Emergency c-sections; first baby born at 36 weeks. Second pregnancy born at 34 weeks, 1.5 week nicu stay. So thankful that my children and I survived but I was feeling down about how the pregnancies went and were cut short. I thought I would never be able to have another baby. 3 years after my 2nd baby I got pregnant with my 3rd. I am happy and so thankful to say I had a 9 lb. 6 oz baby girl delivered c-section at 39 weeks!! No problems NO PREE!!! I took supplements and prayed! There is hope! Never give up and dont let fear take over your life!
Posted On Wednesday, October 08, 2014 By angelica
Hola me llamo Angelica, y quede embarazada en junio del 2012. Fue muy emocionante saber q tenia un bb dentro de mi ♡♡♡ no imagine la alegria q se sentia, mis padres se enteraron y mi papa se molesto ya tenia 7 semanas, bueno y me resondro pero igual me senti mal porq no pense q reaccionaria asi :/,ese dia ala madrugada me dolia el corazon y no.podia respirar y a 1era hora fuimos al.medico, y vi a mi embrioncito :) pero tambien ya tenia presion alta :/ y el dr me dijo q esta mal eso,porq sino no podria continuar con mi embarazo :(. Luego volvi a mi casa, y mi suegra empeoro d su cancer, y mi marido me dejo sola en en mi.embarazo x estar pendiente d su mama :/ y... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 07, 2014 By crystal
My story starts 13 years ago: O was 16 and pregnant coming from a big family myself I never saw myself having kids, but there I was 16 and pregnant. Of course being so young, I had my mom's help with going to Dr appointments and helping get ready for what was to come. Around 20 weeks I started to have back pain. When I went to the Dr they said I might have a small bladder infection and sent me on my way. On my next visit, my blood pressure was really high. They stuck me in a dark room and told me to relax for a while. 30 min later, they took my blood pressure again and it only went down a little. My doctor sent me up to labor and delivery. There they started running test and an... Read More
Posted On Saturday, October 04, 2014 By Caitlin
I was twenty years old when I had my first born, my daughter Kylie. I had a reasonably perfect pregnancy with no signs of complications throughout. I went to my ob-gyn on july 26, for my scheduled visit. Still no signs of any problems, she said it was my choice to be induced that night or wait for my water to break seeing as how the next day (July 27) was my due date. I decided to wait, to see if I can go into labor on my own. That night, I felt the worst pain of my life. It felt like I was being continually run over by a semi truck. My vision kept going out, and I started throwing up. Kylie's dad asked if I needed help, and I told him to call someone to come help me. When he went to... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, September 30, 2014 By Nicole
I am 20 years old and just delivered my first child six weeks ago. Preeclampsia has run in my family for about four generations now. My Great-grandmother, great-aunt, grandmother, aunt, and mother all had it so we expected that it was a possibility for me to get it. I told this to my doctor as soon as i found out i was pregnant. He either didn't record it or didn't remember it. In any case at 22 weeks I went into the ER becasue i had sevear Hypertention and didn't feel my baby for a few hours. I had a blood pressure of 165/115 when I got there, but the hospital that I went to didn't have a maternity ward so didn't think anything of it and sent me home. I tried to call my doctor four... Read More
Posted On Thursday, September 18, 2014 By faith
My name is Faithfulness. I am 27 years old. Here is my story of struggling to be a mother. Life has tortured me to the maximum; I have cried day and night just trying to be a mother. To cut the story short, I first got pregnant when I was 23 years, but at 32 weeks, I remember very well, i had gone just for a checkup and the doctor told me that the baby's heart isn't beating. To me I didn't understand what it met at all, because I thought I was dreaming, but later I was told it was due to preeclampsia. It was my first time to hear such a word but it left me with the pain that I can't explain even if I try. But I thought it won't ever happen to me again, but the second time, it was... Read More
Posted On Sunday, September 14, 2014 By Courtney
During my 25 week midwife appointment, my urine sample picked up a trace of protein - not enough to be concerned of she said. My blood pressure pre-pregnancy, lower number around 60-70, at this stage it was 92, once again I was told not high enough. During the upcoming weeks I was suffering my severe headaches, spots in my eyes and awful swelling. I was back and fourth 4/5 sometimes more, to my local day assessment unit to have full blood counts, urine checks and blood pressure checks. It came back that my platelet count in my bloods were very low. I then got diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, although I... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 20, 2014 By maegan
"You're going to have this baby today!", the nurse said as they wheeled me into the delivery room. I had just arrived at the hospital, just after midnight meanwhile experiencing the worst headache of my life as well as three weeks with the flu. The nurse said that my labs had come back and I had severe Preeclampsia. Previously, I had never been sick, nor had I ever been admitted to the hospital, so I was a little bit nervous leading up to the delivery. My entire pregnancy was perfect until the last three weeks as my blood pressure started to escalate, but always came back down below... Read More
Posted On Friday, August 08, 2014 By Sara
I was diagnosed with preeclampsia at 30 weeks pregnant with my first son. I spent 4 weeks in the hospital before the doctors decided that my life and the baby's life was at more risk each day that passed. I gave birth to my first son on January 25th 2001. I was in and out of consciousness through the entire delivery. I was hooked up to different machines and extremely scared. I remember the conversation I had with my mother before giving birth. There was a ton of paper work to sign that at 17, I was unable to understand. I had to make a decision on whose life to save in case of an emergency. Me or the baby. Ultimately my mother made the decision for me. My son was not... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 06, 2014 By cecilia
Hola buen dia, mi nombre es Cecy y les quiero compartir mi historia con la preeclampsia. Hace 6 meses yo me encontraba felismente embarazada de una hermosa princesa, tenia mis chequeos contantes tanto con el medico particular como el del servicio social, a los 6 meses de embarazo todo iva bien, no se veia ningun rastro o alguna alerta para que me diera preeclampsia, cuando tenia 24 semanas de embarazo al salir del trabajo, mi espos y yo tubimos un accidente automovilistico, que gracias a dios fueron puras perdidas materiales, pero en ese momento por el impacto comenze a sentirme muy nerviosa e inquieta, como todo paso tan rapido y no paso mas que daños materiales nos... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 31, 2014 By Tori
My pregnancy had been fairly normal through my first and second trimesters. I had bleeding early on and we thought we would lose our baby, but it turned out to be nothing. We found out we were expecting a girl and everything progressed as normal. My third trimester was chaotic - my teenage brother was hospitalized for 3 weeks and I spent my days back and forth between his hospital, my doctor appointments, and home. I started to get awful back pain and the swelling set in. I noticed that I was starting to get bad headaches but figured it was due to the stress so I didn't tell my OB. By 36... Read More
Posted On Saturday, July 26, 2014 By mad
My whole pregnancy i was very healthy. I ate all organic foods, I made sure I had my 3 cups of veggies and 2 cups of fruit a day (at least) I went to all my prenatal appointments on time, took all my prenatal vitamins on time, made sure I ate every couple hours a little something so I could feed baby, etc. The one thing I didn't stick to was excersisng. I was on my feet for 8 hours at day as a chef and I ran back and forth back and forth in the big kitchen. By the tine I got home the last thing in the world I wanted to do was walk some more. Now thinking back I wish I would have to stay in better shape. We lived in Calif orbit at the time and decided when I was 32 weeks pregnant... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 24, 2014 By pearl
So it started out really great I had no morning sickness, felt great, nothing to worry about. Then at about 28 weeks I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and asked my husband if my face looked weird. He just said no. Well on my way to work I met my dad. He looked at me and said "I don't like the way yoyou look I think you should call your dr". Being that my dad always thinks the worst of everything I didn't pay much attention. Then I got to work. Workmate #1 "you look tired". Workmate #2 "something is wrong with your eyes". Boss (my brother) "what'd wrong with you?". So to make everyone happy I called my dr. She told me to find the nearest pharmacy and take my... Read More
Posted On Sunday, July 20, 2014 By Veronica
I had a normal first pregnancy but I swelled towards my third trimester my doctor was not concerned he said it was normal I delivered my son at 39weeks and 4days he was healthy but I keep swelling so my doctor prescribed me water pills and I was released. Then I got pregnant 3 years later I was good until I was 34weeks I started gaining alot of weight but I didn't feel swollen but my blood pressure was at135/90 the doctor wasn't concerned so I had an appt. Two weeks later when I was on my way to the doctor's appt I was having a hard time breathing so when my blood pressure was taken it was at 150/99 so the nurse had me lay down for an hour then check my blood pressure it was at... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, July 15, 2014 By siobhan
Throughout my pregnancy I had always kept well, all my check ups were always good. At my 31 week check up my blood pressure was higher than normal. I was them admitted to hospital, where I was closely monitored as my blood pressure got way out of control; I was rushed down to labour ware several times. I was a walking time bomb; the protein in my urine went to 5+. This is when my consultant decided to give me am emergency c-section. I delivered my wee boy at 33 weeks: he weighed only 3lbs12oz. Thankfully he was a healthy baby and stayed in scbu for only 12 days. I have never been so scared in my life, not only for my baby's health, but my own. Mason is now 5 months and is weighing over a... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, July 08, 2014 By Stephanie
Ever since I can remember, I always dreamed of having 2 kids. But pre-eclampsia has cured me of that. In July of 2012, a month before my 22nd birthday and just a month after losing my grandmother, I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant and should expect to have a St. Pattys day baby. We experienced the usual array of emotions, happy, scared, anxious, nervous, etc. I had a rather rough pregnancy. Constantly sick, couldn't eat or drink. Multiple trips to the hospital for IV fluids due the being dehydrated from the excessive vomiting. Bruised ribs from it as well. But even with all of that, baby was healthy and growing. So I was "ok" with constantly puking. I went to all my check ups, took my... Read More
Posted On Monday, July 07, 2014 By Natalia
I was 32 years old when my biological clock turned crazy and I had no other big dream than to have a little girl of my own. I was diagnosed with diabetes 6 years before and making 4 injections of insulin daily. I had quit smoking and tried to prepare my body for pregnancy, even if I knew very well the risks, being a doctor. To get pregnant was the easiest thing in this story. Afterwards, I had bleeding, contractions, prolonged risk of miscarriage in the first and even second trimester... Lytic perfusions, bed repause, etc but what gave me strength was the constant doctor's message that my little baby -a girl, as I wished- was completely all right. Beginning with the 19th... Read More
Posted On Monday, July 07, 2014 By Antonella
My name is Antonella Bartow, I am a pre-eclampsia hellp syndrome survivor, and this is my story. I was thirty-two weeks pregnant, and happy as could be. The nursery was...painted, the crib was in place, and the clothes were hung in the closet for the arrival of my son, Jason Anthony Bartow. February fourteenth, Valentine's Day, was my high-risk doctor visit. I had had some tell-tale signs that made me worry -- spotting, high blood pressure, some early contractions. I tried to tell the nurse about it on that visit. Her answer was, how could I... Read More
Posted On Sunday, July 06, 2014 By cortney
My name is Cortney and durning my pregnancy, I had experienced extreme sleepiness and no urge to eat; I would sleep more then 12 hours at a time. After 29 weeks of testing, they came up with hypertension: I was order to be on bed rest. They immediately gave me the shot to jump start my daughter's lungs. And after 3 weeks of strict bed rest, I woke up for my doctors appointment: they took my b/p and it was 180/111. I was sent to the ER for more wonderful testing. And about 7:30 p.m they had to sign my life away and prepped me for an emergency c-section. All I can really remember is bursting out in tears and holding on to my mother, praying that my daughter was going to be ok. I knew we... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 04, 2014 By Catherine
My pregnancy was a breeze. Hardly any morning sickness, no other complications at all. The last few weeks of my pregnancy I had ever so slightly raised blood pressure, but nothing anyone was concerned about. Delivery was prolonged and ended up with a c section, but apart from that- all was fine and baby was great. The next day I was still in hospital eating my lunch when apparently I went very pale and became unresponsive. Medical team were called to the scene, where I then began having an eclamptic seizure lasting 20 minutes until magnesium sulphate began to work. Was sent to intensive care for numerous tests, but all came back fine- only explanation was eclampsia with no preeclampsia!... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 02, 2014 By Catie
I had a perfect pregnancy. My doctor told me time and again "Cate, you can't mess this up. Your body is amazing and you'd have to work really hard to hurt her", always with a smile. It made me feel very confident in my pregnancy and I completely credit his confidence in me for my extremely positive attitude during the whole thing. I was due July 31, 2009. On June 16 I went in for my first bi-weekly check up. By this time I knew the drill, take blood pressure, pee in a cup, Dr. Folley will feel around and measure, then I'll be on my way. The nurse had a strange look on her face when she took my... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, June 17, 2014 By Kristina
My name's Kristina and at 29 weeks and 3 days with my first child I developed preeclampsia. I came home from work on a normal day; I had then gone out to the movies with my mother. Upon retiring home, my stepmother noticed how swollen my feet were. I was ordered to lay down and relax (I slept for 3hrs). When I woke up, I was urged to check my blood pressure which was abnormally high. I was instructed to head to the ER. When I had arrived my protienuria was extremely high and I was admitted the next morning. My blood pressure reached a high of 190/160 and a few hours later I was prepped for an emergency c-section. My daughter was born 10 weeks early weighing 2lbs 4oz. If it wasnt for the... Read More
Posted On Thursday, June 05, 2014 By Monika
Love, Strength, Miracle… Hello, my name is Monika I'm from a small European country – Bulgaria. I'll tell you story about my experience of HELLP Syndrome. When I was 23 years old, my husband was 30. We had a dream – to have a baby and every day for two years we dreamed of that time to come. I fancied how I carry a life in... Read More
Posted On Monday, June 02, 2014 By Amiris
A day like today exactly one year ago I was in the hospital. I was 30 weeks pregnant and awaiting for a miracle to save our little boy's life. He only weighted 2.8 pounds. I remembered when my husband kneeled down by my bed's left side, hold my hand and we prayed together. That was the last prayer because God answered really quick. Doctors were only waiting for my health to get worst and that moment... Read More
Posted On Sunday, June 01, 2014 By Bessie
My very healthy, 19 year-old daughter's near-perfect pregnancy ended in tragedy, immediately after she pushed out the placenta. The cause of death was cited as "intracranial hemorrhage". On December 23, 2009, my daughter, Brittany, went to the OB-GYN for her weekly checkup. She was almost ready to deliver, and she had a normal checkup. On December 27, 2009, Brittany was in great physical condition, happy and feeling great! She had no known problems throughout her pregnancy, except for a little swelling of her legs during the 9th month, and unrelenting, severe back pain during the final couple of days. - On December 28,... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 29, 2014 By April
Our story starts not unlike most. We're a happily married couple starting a family and enjoying the ins and outs of our first pregnancy. We've chosen a nurse midwife that we really, really like. The weight gain is not too bad as I expected to pack on pounds. There's not one single moment of morning sickness. Our co-ed baby shower is a hit with more than 3o in attendance. Our baby girl wants for nothing when she enters this world! Around 30 weeks we get a phone call from the obstetrician's office that we need to come in for an office visit. When we arrive the nurse midwife (the one we really, really like) advises us that due to the rising cost of malpractice insurance she... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 16, 2014 By sarah
Hello my name is Sarah. I lost my son at 35 weeks due to Preeclampsia. It was my first time pregnant. Sunday April 20,2014: Easter Sunday, and also my mother's birthday. Around 3am I noticed my tummy and body alone just felt odd, and I didn't feel my son move who during sleeping hours was very active. My fiancé was at work he travels a lot and I texted him just telling him I didn't feel normal. Being this was my first pregnancy I didn't really think much of it bc I just thought maybe I was over stressing myself, so I laid back down and tried to go to sleep. I woke up around 10am: my belly was extremely hard and I still haven't felt my baby move so I really start to... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, May 13, 2014 By melissa
Hello everyone, My name is Melissa and My fiance and I have two children. My first pregnancy with our daughter who is now 5 was completely uneventful. I felt great and never had any issues during or after delivery. When she was 4 and a half we decided it was time to have another baby but this time we needed the help of Clomid. It worked first cycle and I now have a son who will be one in a week. My pregnancy with him was hard from the start. Gushing bleeds from 8 weeks up until 13 weeks. Then I had gallbladder attacks at 20 weeks exact. Our daughter was a small birth weight baby so this pregnancy they kept a really close eye on me and the growth of our son. Every appointment was good and... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 09, 2014 By Amy
This was my second pregnancy. I had been diagnosed while in labor with my first, though luckily we were both fine! We were not expecting to have our second so soon. I was breastfeeding and taking the mini pill but 4 months postpartum I was pregnant again! I found out at nearly 10 weeks. Worst three things for a long while was heartburn, "morning sickness" (took Zofran), and my hip which was a pain during my first pregnancy seemed much worse this second time (helped to go to the chiropractor for a while then towards the last couple of months just dealt with it). This time it started... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 07, 2014 By eloise
Hi my name is Eloise, I am 20 years of age. I found out I was pregnant in November 2013. I had a beautiful first few weeks, no sickness or any bad symptoms. It was NYE when I first started getting pains in my upper abdominal area, but I thought nothing of it so I got send home early from work and just relaxed. If anything, I though it was trapped wind or something pregnancy-related. Then it stayed away for a few weeks untill I reached 18 weeks and I got severe pains this time so my partner took me to A&E at 3 am for them to send me away with antibiotics for a water infection. Anyway, a week later jon came in from work about 12 at night and I wad curled up in pain again and I was... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, May 06, 2014 By Susan
Hi my name is Susan I would like to share my daughter's story. My daughter is 19 years old, she complete high school last May, and had plan to go to collage in the fall. She met this guy after school had ended and falling madly in love with him and found out in September she was going to have a baby. She was so happy her eyes would light up when she talk about the baby. She went to all of her appointments at the OB-GYN office and gave a urine sample every time. She was thirty-three weeks and her last two appointments at the OB-GYN office they told her she had high blood pressure, and she saw two different doctors, but both doctors sent her out of the office without any medication. She... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 02, 2014 By Marnie
I am doing my first "Promise Walk for Preeclampsia" on May 3, 2014! I'm excited to support the Preeclampsia Foundation's mission to reduce infant and maternal illness and death due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Here's my story. I nearly died twice due to preeclampsia with my last pregnancy. I developed preeclampsia with my first pregnancy, in 2010/11. However, it was controlled and I delivered a healthy 6 lb. 9 oz. little boy at 38-weeks. With my second pregnancy (2013), my blood pressure was great (118/69) pretty much the entire pregnancy - until 32 weeks. Suddenly, my blood pressure spiked (to 145/90+). I was already high risk (advanced... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 By Katriina
My preeclampsia story begins with my mother. I was nine years old when she was pregnant with my brother, Zachary. I remember sitting next to her on the sofa, her legs up on the coffee table, "Watch what happens when I press my thumb into my skin," she said, and I watched the indentation stay. And I pressed my thumb in, creating a shallow pit on her leg, as she closed her eyes and napped in third trimester exhaustion. 23 years later, I sat in my own living room, feet propped up on the coffee table, 31 weeks pregnant, and pressed my thumb into my shin. And felt nearly sick to my stomach when the indentation stayed. Something was wrong.... Read More
Posted On Saturday, April 26, 2014 By Marianne
I was 29 years old when I got pregnant. Everything seemed perfect at the moment. I was scared about all the things a mother would be scared about (not making it through the first trimester, baby not being healthy, gestational diabetes, etc...). I was having a very good pregnancy with no symptoms at all. I thought it was great that I was able to enjoy my pregnancy without any symptoms or discomfort. My last trimester, I started developing heartburn (it didnt matter what I ate, everything would cause me heartburn). My doctor noticed that I had excessive amniotic fluid and decided to monitor me closely (every week). I had to give... Read More
Posted On Saturday, April 26, 2014 By Alma
We were very excited as we prepared for our first in April of 1990. My pregnancy had gone well throughout and we were ready. I was 34 wks pregnant and one afternoon I began to feel pains. I wasn't sure if this was premature labor since this was our first. I called the doctor and tried to describe my pains. They felt it was gastric and not a big problem, but I should come in anyway to be sure. The pains were growing more intense and I had a feeling something wasn't right. Being the science nerd I am, I told my husband as best as I could that the pains were by my liver. Little did I know... We arrived to hospital and lo and behold... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 24, 2014 By Tara
I just wanted to share my story in hopes of helping others! I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia right at 20 weeks with my first. I was put on meds to help control my bp but it steadily rose higher and higher. By 34 weeks I was admitted to the hospital on complete bed rest and to be monitored around the clock. I had pillows taped to my bed in case I had seizures and the highest I remember my blood pressure getting was 190/110. At 34w5d the dr came in and told me that my urine protein levels were dangerously high and that we needed to get the baby out now. That was a Friday... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 24, 2014 By lorena
When I was 14 yrs old I got pregnant with my first. Being pregnant at such a young age you dont know what to expect. I had no morning sickness I felt great. But when I hit my third trimester, I began to be fatigued and had blurred vision and would see spots. So at my next doctor visit at 35 weeks, I told my ob my symptoms so she checked my blood pressure and it was 140. So she said I want to see you in 2 days because my blood pressure was high. My boyfriend and I went back to my doc 2 days later and my blood pressure was 145 so she said go straight to the hospital. Now I'm all panicking because they weren't telling me anything. So we got to... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 22, 2014 By Kim
I was 25 when I got pregnant with my first child. The 1st and 2nd trimesters were great then the unthinkable happend. I swelled up so bad that I could not get my shoes on and I just did not feel right. I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was very high and out of control. My doctor sent me to the hospital and tried to induce me, did not work. I had protein in my urine and very high blood pressures. We delivered at 36 weeks via c-section and had a very healthy baby boy. I was started on magnesium IV. Talk about horrible!!! I thought I was dying and I was terrified!!! 2 years later I got pregnant again and miscarried. Three years after the miscarriage I got pregnant... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 18, 2014 By Gina
I'd like to share a story that certainly has been a success. After his mother's bout with preeclampsia and being born at only 2 lbs and 12 oz, a young boy is now living as a healthy, happy 4-year-old. Pace Tonn was born at 2:54 a.m. on December 31, 2009 at just 2 pounds, 12 ounces. At 12 weeks premature, Pace faced a 7-month long stay in the hospital's Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). On top of ventilator care, he also required blood transfusions and several surgeries. Although Keri was released four days after delivery, baby Pace had a long road ahead. The NICU was actually turned into a miniature surgical suite so that Pace wouldn't experience any... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 16, 2014 By Hilary
The past two years have been a series of ups and downs. I got married in August 2012 to a wonderful man and my best friend. We started settling into our life together when our town (and house) was struck by Hurricane Sandy. Our house was flooded and we lost everything. We just rented the apartment, so we moved in with my in-laws until we could figure out what was next. Around Thanksgiving I suspected that I had become pregnant and this was confirmed by a home test. In early December I had an appointment with my OBGYN now that I was at about 6 weeks and for full confirmation. The pregnancy... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 15, 2014 By Amber
My first pregnancy was very easy. I did not suffer from mourning sickness or fatigue. At around 32 weeks I developed a very persistent and painful headache. I took my blood pressure at home with an automatic machine. My BP was high so I went to a friends home to have it checked manually. It was still high. I called and reported my readings to the dr and was instructed to come in and have it taken in the office. My BP was high in the office with moderate amounts of protein in my urine. I was given a stress test were my BP normalized by lying on my left side. I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and sent home on bed rest.... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 11, 2014 By Chelsea
My husband and I were married in June 2009. I had just graduated from college and had a vague plan of returning to school in 2010 to work on my master's. We found out we were pregnant in October 2009; this was not a planned pregnancy, but while we were both extrememly nervous, we knew it was a blessing and were very excited. With a due date of June 21st, we were off to a normal start. The morning sickness set in right at 8 weeks-it was daily and it was awful, but my mother with whom I shared an office at the time assured me it was normal. I ate constantly trying to curb the nausea and gained about 7 pounds by my 12th week. As my first trimester ended and my second began the... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 11, 2014 By sheila
Hi my name Sheila and I am a survivor of post-eclampsia. In 2006 I gave birth to a son that weighed 6lb. 14oz. and was so happy. See, I was told I may not ever be able to conceive. I had alot of problems one of which was polycystic ovarian disease, but to my surprise I did conceive, and had a pretty good pregnancy except for all the morning sickness that lasted basically the entire 37 weeks. I went into the hospital at 37 weeks to be induced because they were concerned about my placenta getting old. So went in and was induced and was in labor for 15 hrs. I had 3 epidurals which none worked on me. They decided to do a c-section because I wasn't... Read More
Posted On Sunday, April 06, 2014 By Marie
I have a four year old son, and when he was almost three I met his stepfather. We soon started talking about having a child together, and we were very happy when we found out we were expecting. I now had so much more to offer this child, then with my firstborn, but I still couldn't shake the feeiling that something was wrong! The feeling was so bad, that I didn't tell people before I was 23 weeks. I calmed down eventually, but I got sick early in the pregnancy, already at 15 weeks my headaches started and my skin and hair looked awful. I itched everywhere, and had trouble sleeping. I remember thinking that no pregnancy can be this tough! But my doctor told us everything was FINE!... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 By Alexis
When I was just 17 years old, I became pregnant. I was just about to graduate high school and I was about to get married as well. The last thing I wanted during my pregnancy was something else to stress over and worry about. Three weeks before graduation and my wedding, I found out at my 13-week appointment that I had a low PAPP-A hormone (low pregnancy-associated plasma protein A). This in other words is a potential precursor to becoming preeclamptic. The doctor told me not to worry but they would have to keep a close eye on the baby and myself. At the time I had no idea what to expect or what it even meant. I cried a lot because I feared the worst possible situation, death, would... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 By Ashley
As I enter the 3rd trimester of my second pregnancy, I have begun to think a lot about the challenges I faced at the end of my last pregnancy. I guess in a way, I am gearing up for battle to try and be more prepared to face the struggle ahead. I haven't really spoken about it much publicly, but those who know me well know that I had severe preeclampsia when my first son, was supposed to still be growing happily in my belly. Around 32 weeks I started swelling. Nothing extreme, just enough that I had to take my wedding rings off and graduated exclusively to wearing flip-flops. I brought this up with my doctor who was not concerned. It was summer after all and I had low... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, March 11, 2014 By mattie
January 7, 2014 baby girl born color of baby blue she did turn to normal color. Mother and baby go home; when baby is about five or six days old, mother was taken to hospital to emergency room. The mother had three seizures back-to-back... mother admitted to ICU. Mother had a heart attack. The mother showed all the signs of preeclampsia at hospital where baby was born but was sent home. Now in ICU... in the emergency room blood pressure 257 over 110; mother is on meds for blood pressure and heart. Before all this the mother had no problems with high blood pressure or her heart. Baby girl is doing fine so far and mother is still on meds. I am the baby's grandmother and her mother's... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, March 05, 2014 By Lakeidra
My husband & I found out we were expecting our first child together in July 2013, we were surprised yet thrilled. It was a great pregnancy until my 5th month of pregnancy, my husband started monitoring my blood pressure and there were times when it was elevated, I let my doctor know of the elevations, they said it wasn't running high in the office so they wasn't concerned about it, so another month went by with the same elevations until one day when I was almost 7 months, I awaken feeling sluggish & tired, just bad....so I went to the hospital to get checked on and low & behold, my blood pressure registered at 202/113 so... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, March 04, 2014 By Marilyn
In Spring of 2012, I was pregnant for the first time and with twins! My husband and I were happily planning for the arrival of 2 little girls, due in August. Then at 21 weeks, my feet began to swell at the end of the day. At my visit to the OB/GYN that week, I questioned the swelling as well as the 125/80 BP I had. My baseline BP had been 105/60. I was told it was within normal range, and the swelling was also dismissed as non-concerning. On Easter Sunday, 22.5 weeks, I could no longer fit comfortably in my shoes, and my BP on a home monitoring machine was 135/85. I knew I had an appointment in a few days with Maternal Fetal Medicine, and convinced myself I would be told all was ok. But... Read More
Posted On Monday, March 03, 2014 By brittany
Okay so hear is my story: My name is Brittany and I'm 26 years old. Baby 1 (2006): Quite an uneventful pregnancy, besides severe morning sickness and in and out of the hospital in the beginning to be re hydrated. I had an appt on my due date Aug 7 2006 and it was THEN... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, February 25, 2014 By Ketan
To my surprise at 43 I became pregnant! Terrified of all the issues that could happen at my age with pregnancy, I made sure I followed all the suggestions to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Everything was normal and healthy at 18 weeks so I allowed myself to be excited for the first time! Words can not express my feelings of joy and pride to finally be pregnant after thinking all my life I could not conceive. Around 20 weeks my body began to swell and I felt so bloated all the time nothing felt comfortable about my body. My OB at the time reassured me this was all a normal part of pregnancy. My BP was slightly high but nothing alarming according to my care provider. At 23 weeks, while at a... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 24, 2014 By Valerie
I had severe pre-e in my previous pregnancy in 2009. My daughter was born at 28 weeks at 1 lb and 4oz. I did not develop HELLP syndrome but just got high blood pressure, swelling, and protein in the urine. Since my liver enzymes and kidneys fuctions were decreasing I got an emergency C-section. Today my daughter is 5 years old and very healthy. Due to the conditions with my daughter, I waited to conceive again. In Sept 2013, I was told that I was pregnant. I asked my OB/GYN (who was my OB with my first daughter) about any new precautions/procedures I should do for this second round. He told me no. In week 22, I went to the hospital with upper back pain. Long... Read More
Posted On Friday, February 21, 2014 By Ashley
The Birth of Sam"The Brave" Written 4/25/13 (12 days postpartum) This is going to be really long. And I'm not sure who will read it. But before all the details become fuzzy, I wanted to write the experience as I remember it.... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 20, 2014 By Karla
I suffered from a ruptured aortic valve brain aneurysm Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on September 12, 2012 (at 41 yrs. old) and I thank God every day that I am mentally and physically fully recovered! Emotionally, I am still working on that. Here's my story. After giving birth to my daughter on August 27, 2012, I became very ill two (2) days later. My organs started shutting down, my blood pressure went extremely high and my platelet count went extremely low. After two (2) days of tests, I was diagnosed with Pregnancy HELLP Syndrome and immediately transferred from the... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 17, 2014 By Erin
My pregnancy was a surprise, Brad and I had never planned to have children. I knew very little about the realities of pregnancy. I had never really looked into what can and does happen to a womans body while it incubates a precious little life. If you also have not, its a crazy bunch of stuff and purely amazing and disgusting at the same time, a bit like motherhood but that is another story all together. I had gestational diabetes and was being monitored weekly due to the medication that I had to take. I went to work Tuesday August 28th, like one does when they are employed. I wasn't having any significant symptoms. Moderate swelling, a little edema but it seemed to mostly go... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 13, 2014 By Kathleen
Let me start out by saying that I'm an older Mom (had my son at 40), and I've had high blood pressure since I was in my 20's. When I first got pregnant, the first thing my Dr did was take me off my BP meds. He told me that my BP would naturally go down during my second trimester, so I would be fine until then- and I was. But keep in mind that I monitored my BP from home, at least once a day. Everything was going soooo smooth, and I was getting very excited for my 3rd trimester! At about 7 months, I noticed that my BP was gradually rising. I brought this up to my OB at each appt and she never seemed concerned. Her medical assistant would take my BP (which was... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 12, 2014 By Indira
My husband and I started trying to have a baby for 5 years. During this time we visited fertility specialists and ran countless tests. We finally became pregnant naturally and were so ecstatic!! Unfortunately, the happiness did not last long as I miscarried at 12 weeks. After miscarrying my husband pretty much gave up but I was 39 and I felt like we still had a little more time to try. Luckily I conceived and was super happy and careful. Monitored everything I ate, did light exercise and rested whenever possible. At 26 weeks I went in for my check up and I had elevated BP readings 145 /90. My GYN was concerned sent me home on bed rest for the remainder of the week and... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 12, 2014 By Mandi
It was a normal Wednesday. I dont even remember anything special about the morning - I went to work as usual. Left in the early afternoon to make the trip to my prenatal appointment. I was feeling especially large and definitely pregnant. I remember making a comment to a co-worker on the way out the door that it was the last of my "two-week" appointments before I would move to the one-a-week ones - which was very exciting! I met my husband in the parking garage and we walked into the office building. I checked in and sat down. I remember feeling normal. I got a text about a piece of foam I was trying to get for the babys nursery and the daybed we had in there. ... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 06, 2014 By Cana
It was January 28th, my blood test came back positive and I was pregnant! Something I never thought was possible. I had two donated embryos transferred just eleven days before and now my dream of being pregnant and experiencing the joys that came with that were mine. My pregnancy was difficult from the start. I developed severe morning sickness which lasted 15 weeks, then developed a terrible stomach bug that sent my health into another downward spiral for several more weeks. I never developed an appetite until I was around 22 weeks pregnant. I finally began to feel better and gain weight. At my 28 week appointment everything looked great. I had... Read More
Posted On Sunday, February 02, 2014 By Meghan
I'd had a friend who had been watching me very closely after we found out we were pregnant, she kept saying that she thought I was swelling too soon. I had asked the doctor MANY times about it and she just said I was fine but soon it was getting SO bad I wasn't really fitting in clothes that SHOULD have gotten me to 40 weeks (I like to prepare). The TED hose didnt seem to be helping and eventually I had coworkers doing a double-take as I walked down the hall, barely recognizing me. About a week before my next check-up I just felt like something was terribly wrong. The best I can describe was that I felt like I was a ticking time bomb, SOMETHING was about to happen and it wasn't... Read More
Posted On Saturday, February 01, 2014 By Jeanne
I'm the mother of 3 young adults now, ages 24, 22 and 18. :-) I had preeclamsia and HeLLP syndrome with my first and last pregnancies (which are my 2 sons). I did not have those complications with my daughter (now age 22), but I did have "undiagnosed" gestational diabetes with her. Pregnancy #1: I was "Borderline" Gestational diabetic with him, and carried him full term. My water broke and I was not having much in the way of contractions, so my doctor had me wait 24 hours and then I went into the hospital and they put me on pitosin to get my contrations going. I started going down-hill during labor. I started running a fever, so they checked me (and the baby once he was... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 24, 2014 By Yolanda
One day on our way to our final sign off of the wedding venue, my husband and I spoke about kids... not the first time though, but we both decided that we didn't want to wait. We have no reason. That made me so excited cause I could not wait to be be a mommy. Well our wish came true not long after we returned from our honeymoon. All the normal signs was there and me and hubby decided that we gonna buy a home test... reading that the best time to do the test was first thing in the morning so we waited. That next morning bright and early I got up and did the test... few seconds went by the minutes and there it... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, January 22, 2014 By Sharon
When I was 7 months pregnant (32 weeks) I had nausea, feet & hand swelling, shortness of breath & acidity. My doctor had told me that they were the symptoms of pregnancy. Even my blood pressure was normal. On November 2013, I had severe pre-eclampsia which led to convulsions, headache, blurring of vision & pulmonary edema (fluid in my lungs) and was rushed to ER. My condition was so bad that they could not wait to give steroids for the maturity of my babys lungs. I was given Magnesium sulfate to prevent the occurrence of seizures. The baby was delivered through... Read More
Posted On Thursday, January 09, 2014 By Brandy
I am a 34 year old mother of 2. I say a mother of 2, because, even though you see only child in my arms, I have the privilege of having one with wings. My daughter was born on June 25, 2009 via emergency c-section. Looking back now, it seems like a dream. I was oblivious to what was happening, but could see the fear in my husbands eyes. I remember trying to concentrate on hearing her, I couldn't wait to hear her first cries! It took a while, but there it was, my baby was here and perfect in every way. It's not the birth I had planned on, it's not the time she was expected. But, when the Dr. called and said it was the day, all the planning went out the window! I had... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 30, 2013 By Ellen
My pregnancy started like many others, I am sure. My husband and I were excited, scared, worried and in love. As our daughter grew, I went to all my routine Doctor's appointments with normal blood pressure readings, healthy weight gain and a strange feeling that our daughter would come early. My family has a history of itty bitty babies so when she was estimated to be 4lbs 3oz at 35 weeks, we weren't terribly worried but the yellow flag was up. Less than a week later, my right arm felt a little odd while I was trying to sleep so I shifted my weight and went to bed only to wake up around 1am with intense discomfort to my upper abdomen and my right shoulder was truly in pain. ... Read More
Posted On Sunday, December 22, 2013 By ZAINAB
Hello, This is Zainab here from Kuwait, a Gulf country.. I am 23 years old female married for 1.5 years now. I was 5 months pregnant when suddenly I got diagnosed with HELLP syndrome with having platelet count less than 57 and blood pressure more than 180.. I was admitted urgently to the hospital and they took the baby as the liver enzymes were also high and protein was found in the urine. Just after that, my counts and condition started to improve and BP too. Now I am completely fine. I lost my baby on Nov 12, 2013. I had a wonderful five months of pregnancy, I went for all my check-ups... Read More
Posted On Thursday, December 19, 2013 By Karen
Hola a Todos! Mi nombre es Karen Ortegón, vivo en la ciudad de Barranquilla en Colombia, tengo 26 años y hace cuatro meses tuve un parto por cesárea a las 29 semanas de gestación, por preeclamcia con Hell. Mi historia comienza desde los 3 meses de gestación, cuando se me empezaron a hinchar los pies levemente, asistí en varias ocasiones al médico por preocupación ante un caso de preeclampcia, pero los médicos siempre me dijeron que eso era normal, en mi país el sistema de salud es bastante deficiente, los controles prenatales si tu embarazo es normal osea no es de alto riesgo, lo controla una enfermera jefe o un medico general, hasta después de los 8 meses es... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, December 17, 2013 By Jenny
About 17 weeks into my pregnancy, I experienced a day where I threw up all day long. I hadnt had morning sickness at all, so I was a little concerned, but Car and I assumed I had a 24-hour bug. The next day I didnt throw up, but I simply didnt feel well. I had a general feeling of unwellness from then on, but nothing specific. At about 17.5 weeks, the pain started. At first I assumed the pain, which was located just below my sternum, was heartburn. Id never had heartburn, but I couldnt imagine what else the stabbing pain could be, and everyone knows that pregnant women get terrible heartburn. The pain got progressively worse until I could no longer work. I asked a few... Read More
Posted On Friday, December 13, 2013 By R
I hardly noticed my swelling when it began, only that my ankles were stiff when I went up the stairs. I later thought it was normal pregnancy swelling. I had hit six months and had had a very easy pregnancy so far - I was due for some of the rotten side effects. Gradually I puffed up, so slowly I didnt much notice, until it hit my face and others commented, causing me to look critically in the mirror for the first time. I called my doctor to make a note of the swelling, just for the sake of my records, because I knew my doctor liked to be very thorough in her notes. I had my next appointment in three weeks. A little less than two weeks... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 09, 2013 By Andrea
When you find out you are pregnant one of your first thoughts is of in 9 months time, walking out of the hospital with your little baby and taking them home. Not for a second do you imagine leaving the hospital without them and coming back to an empty house, while your little baby stays there in an intensive care unit. Apart from slight morning sickness in the early stages my pregnancy had been perfect. My 21 week scan showed a healthy baby boy and we were thrilled. All that changed on 28th August 2013 when I reached 27 weeks. I was at work when I discovered I was bleeding. I was taken to... Read More
Posted On Saturday, December 07, 2013 By SIRIN
I lost my baby because of this illness. I had to birth my baby at seven months.
My blood pressure is still higher than 160/100 for the last 1 month.
I do not know how I can stand with this trouble. I have different feelings towards this world.
Posted On Sunday, December 01, 2013 By Shedina
It was October 2, 2013, the day I woke up with an excruciating toothache... yes, the wisdom tooth had begun giving me hell. At 25 weeks pregnant, I wanted to know what was causing so much pain literally overnight. I couldn't function at work; the pain was just too much to bear, plus the air condition system assisted in bringing on the pain. I went home and could only manage to eat crushed foods like irish potatoes and pumpkin; but even that was a chore. The following day, I went to the dentist to see if there was anything he could do. The first dentist looked in my mouth and told me I had an impacted wisdom tooth and that he would have to refer me to another dentist who could... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 25, 2013 By Amiris
My husband and I got married in 2009. We wanted to have kids right away and living in Spain I got pregnant 6 months after we got married. The pregnancy was not what I expected. I felt so sick not just morning sickness but it was like my body had a really bad reaction to the pregnancy. I had headaches all the time and everything hurt. We use to live 30 meters from the beach and I use to go out to walk every day until i realized that every time I went to walk my hands got swollen, some people said that it was because of the ocean and the salt and to put my hands up when I walked, but it got to the point that I just could not walked any more, all my testing was perfect and because I was a... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 25, 2013 By Roxanne
Mine was horrible. Ill try to keep it short without missing anything. I was 20 weeks or so, just found out it was a girl. I was visiting my family in California and had this awful fever, felt like crap, sweaty, plus a heat rash to the point of blisters. It hurt to walk, stand, everything. I went back to Nebraska and went to my drs appt a few days later. I had a fever of 102.7 and the doctor noticed my feet were swollen. There was no difference between leg, ankle, and that bend to a foot. So she ran some tests, finally was able to get back ahold of me and I was told I have blood clots. Clots going to my lungs and causing pneumonia. I had to rush to a hospital an hour away, get a... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 11, 2013 By Angelia
My daughter, Isabel, will be 1 in just a month. Last October, after my first 7 months of pregnancy being absolutely perfect, I began having an elevated blood pressure. At this point, I was having weekly check-ups. I wasn't so worried, my family (mother and teenage brothers) had just moved in with me, so I thought the high blood pressure was a result of stress. My doctor ordered me on modified bed rest, and to have Non-stress tests at the hospital twice a week. My blood pressure never went down, but it wasn't so high that they were too worried just yet. My doctor did find protein in my urine, so i had to collect my urine for 24 hours and take it back. The results of that urine weren't too... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, November 05, 2013 By Latavia
Hi, I'm Latavia and I had a near death experience with preeclampsia. I was 8 months pregnant when I discovered my life would change forever. I went for a regular check up and noticed I was a little more swollen then usual. My doctor didn't think much of it because swelling was normal in a pregnancy. He put me on bed rest and told me to start eating healthier, less salt. He also took me out of school being that I was young I missed a lot. Weeks went by and the swelling had gotten a lot worse from my first visit. My next visit came around and my blood pressure was sky high. My face was swollen, my eyes, my hands, my arms, my feet. I was admitted into the hospital... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 01, 2013 By Tricia
What was supposed to be a normal Sunday turned into the worst day of my life. But first, Ill tell you how my pregnancy was going. I was 20 years old living with my fiance, Dante, at the time. I worked 40 hours a week on my feet most of the time. I started swelling early in my pregnancy and it was summer time so we werent that worried then. Come around my 28-32 week mark, I was severely swollen and was gaining a lot of weight. I had asked my doctor to check further into pre-eclampsia but he assured me everything was normal. Being a new and young mom I trusted him when I should have trusted my gut. On Sunday, July 25, 2010 I was just 2 days... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 22, 2013 By Ashley
Everything about being pregnant was easy for me at first, I loved being pregnant. I was single most of my pregnancy, and my child's father was a big stress. I got my own place, and decided I was raising my daughter with or without him. I was doing great, and then all of a sudden, things turned for the worst. I noticed I was getting dizzy, and feeling really bloated alot. I could barely wear my shoes, and I could not even see between my toes. I had my manager take my blood pressure at work, and it was really elevated. She took it numerous times before I decided to call the doctor. I called the doctor, and I told them what it was, they wanted me to come in as soon as possible. I went as... Read More
Posted On Friday, October 18, 2013 By LATOSHIA
I was just shy of 37 weeks when my issue with preeclampsia was discovered. It was time for my routine check up when the Midwife's office noticed the protein in my urine was high. I also had major swelling in my legs and feet, which I thought was just a common symptom of pregnancy. I had started having minor headaches that I was relating to allergies. I consider it a "God thing" that this day I was called back by a nurse that I didn't normally see. She also had gone through preeclampsia with her first child, so she knew what I was dealing with right off. She shared a brief story with me of her experience before they sent me over to the hospital to have a catheter urine check... Read More
Posted On Thursday, October 17, 2013 By Lindsey
My husband and I decided to wait a couple of years before trying to conceive, with work schedules and school we decided to wait. Finally we decided to start trying and we got pregnant right away with our first child, we were both so excited. Everything was normal within the first few months, and I did not have any morning sickness. On our 20 week check up/finding out the sex visit, we were told to go to the hospital. My blood pressure was high and was swollen in my legs and feet, the doctors diagnosed me with preeclampsia. Within days we were faced with a decision to give birth or for me to have surgery. I gave birth to our beautiful daughter Lillie on 10/05/2013 and she is... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, October 16, 2013 By Ani
As the title reads, I am lucky to be alive. Last year, I was very surprised when I got my positive pregnancy test. I was still a student, finishing up college; unmarried, and not sure where I was going in life. My son changed everything! My boyfriend at the time (now husband) was thrilled, he couldn't wait to tell our families; I, on the other hand was extremely nervous! As time passed, things got better and I became more comfortable with the idea of a baby. I had read about preeclampsia, my doctor had warned me about a few of the symptoms but I didn't believe it could happen to me. I remember my grandma continuing to tell me that she lost her first baby due to,... Read More
Posted On Friday, October 11, 2013 By Katie
Ethan will be turning 3 at the end of this month (October). The month of October always brings up some scary memories and emotions for me... I never thought I would have a difficult pregnancy or labor. After all, why would I? Only two years earlier I had given birth to a healthy, nearly 8 pound baby boy. That pregnancy was free of complications. Birth was easy... Got to the hospital at 7cm dilated - got an IV and epidural and 7 hours later baby came out! However, I was completely wrong! The pregnancy of our second son was troubled right from the start... A lot of pain and discomfort, poor... Read More
Posted On Friday, October 11, 2013 By Wendy
Hello, My name is Wendy, and I suffered from preeclampsia. I knew nothing about the disease until I was at my 8 month check up. I had been feeling horrible, puffy, my feet looked like little hams and my toes were swollen. Walking was a chore. I was tired and uncomfortable. I attributed all of these items to just being 8 months along. I never experienced carrying to full term. Here is my story... On Monday, April 16th, 2012, I was scheduled for a 4D Ultrasound at my hospital. When going through the vitals with the nurse, she notified me that my blood pressure was WAY TO HIGH. I told her I was fine, I had a bad day at work and I was just walking so it will go down. The... Read More
Posted On Thursday, October 03, 2013 By Lisa
My daughter was born sleeping at 32w 5d 11-16-12. I almost passed away as well 11-20-12; the day of Elyssa's funeral due to undiagnosed preeclampsia and chronic hypertension. My BP was almost 200/90 and I had mental confusion and memory loss. I did not even remember my husband or that I just had a baby at all. I was hospitalized for 4 days and luckily regained some of my memory and was able to be discharged and survived. I am very fortunate to be alive today. On 11-6-12 I went to a Dr visit and my BP... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 01, 2013 By Ashley
I'm Ashley. I had a very rough pregnancy with twin boys. I had preterm labor. At 35 weeks I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and was to be induced right away. First, I had an amniocentesis test done to make sure my boys' lungs were mature. If they weren't, I was to be transferred to a bigger hospital with a NICU. Thankfully, they were mature enough to be delivered where I was! For weeks leading up to my diagnosis, I was put on procardia to keep my uterus from contracting. I was swelling slowly, week by week. The week before I was induced I had gained 11 pounds of fluid. I was hugely swollen! My feet looked like tissue boxes. I was literally swollen from head to... Read More
Posted On Monday, September 30, 2013 By DISI
hi I'm disi andrade alforque 32, preeclampsia survivor. Last year November 19, 2012 I early deliver my child at 34weeks true CS because of my preeclampsia condition and praise God we both survived. What I worry now is my present condition: my monthly period suddenly doesn't come last September 11 which I expected, now to confirm my condition I bought a pregnancy test kit and test myself and it has a positive result. What I worried now was my doctor's advise b4 as she said to be safe, I should reach the three years before I get pregnant again. If not, might my case may repeat? :(( and now it's too early. It's only 10 months since the last time I... Read More
Posted On Saturday, September 28, 2013 By Michelle
Born September 1 7lbs 12oz 21 1/2in. After the death of my first baby, Jayson, due to preeclampsia it was a long scary pregnancy. But with my doctors help and a combo of medications there was no high blood pressure no preeclampsia and we made it to 40 weeks and 3 days. After 3 days in labor and a successful c section I brought miss Brooklyn Makayla into the world happy and healthy!
Posted On Tuesday, September 24, 2013 By Amy
I swear I'll try to make this short, but that's easier said than done! At just 6 weeks pregnant I was diagnosed with chronic hypertension. When it came time to do the gestational diabetes test, I was diagnosed with it as well, as I beyond failed it. I was referred to a high-risk clinic at that time. I don't remember the exact timeline, as so much was constantly going on while I was pregnant. I was give the 24-hour protein urine analysis just as a baseline due to the chronic hypertension. The results came back and I was labeled as borderline pre-eclamptic. Due to the uncontrollable gestational diabetes, at 36 weeks pregnant, I went in to have an amniocentesis done to see if my... Read More
Posted On Monday, September 23, 2013 By Becky
On 12/26/12 I was admitted for severely high bp (I had no prior history). While in there, it rose to 220/112 & they thought I was going to have a stroke at 30 weeks pregnant. I spent New Year's and 8 days in the hospital. Was released and told to go on bed rest till I gave birth. Some protein in my urine so they said I had gestational hypertension and early preeclampsia, which they could manage. 1st night home an unbearable pain in upper abdomen, I felt like I was going to die. Called doctor; was told "its the baby pushing up" and normal pregnancy problem, to take a hot shower and go... Read More
Posted On Friday, September 13, 2013 By Elizabeth
My story begins October of 2012, when I found my husband and I were expecting our first child. We were beyond thrilled to experience bringing a new life into this world. My pregnancy started out rocky. I experienced severe morning sickness for the first four months. I was given zofran to make it through my work day as a reading teacher, and re-hydrated at the hospital once as well. I also experienced a night of severe side and back pain which the emergency room chalked up to implantation. Finally at 4 months the nausea began to dissipate and I was ready for the joy of pregnancy to begin. It didn't. I began to become very tired and out of breath. It was difficult to climb the... Read More
Posted On Monday, September 09, 2013 By Shannon
I'm not even sure where to begin. My family and I are survivors of HELLP Syndrome. Up until a month before my due date, I had what I thought was a relatively normal pregnancy. I felt incredibly nauseous the first trimester, like a million bucks the second trimester and fat, tired and swollen for much of the third trimester. Our little girl was full term and I didn't have many of the symptoms a lot of women have prior to being induced. On April 22 (exactly one month before my due date), I was put on bed rest. I had mentioned to the Dr in a few previous visits that my ankles were very swollen. They would examine them and tell me that's a normal part of pregnancy, which I... Read More
Posted On Sunday, August 18, 2013 By Joann
I have had HELLP with both my previous pregnancies. And now I am expecting my third child. I am wondering when the other shoe will drop. When will I get sick this time? The farther along I get, the more I worry. I have been lucky though with my previous pregnancies. I and my children have survived without problems. With my first child I had a very normal pregnancy until I was diagnosis with gestational diabetes. It was difficult at first to adjust to the diet and medicine, but as a nurse I understood the need for good control of my blood sugar. I also knew that having diabetes put me at a greater risk for preeclampsia. But I had hope everything would work out okay. Everything... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 07, 2013 By Christina
It's been about 4 years and 1 month ago, that I gave birth to my 2nd daughter, on July 10, 2009. The pregnancy started out normal and then about 4 months into it I started feeling sick, and having headaches. At about six months, my family decided to take a little vacation and visited a local zoo. After that I swelled up. At my six month appointment they did the normal testing. Everything came out fine, but my normal blood pressure was a little high, so they reassured me that everything was fine. They did want to do a blood test and a 24hr urine test so I went to the lab for that right way. But everything came back normal. The only thing the doctor could come up with is... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 07, 2013 By Priyanka
Hi, I delivered a boy last year August. I had a great absolutely normal, full-term pregnancy with not a single incidence of high BP or swelling. However, I started bleeding the day I completed 9 months. Got admitted, BP normal, BPP, NST normal. Since labour did not progress for nearly 12 hours, I was induced after which I started leaking and BP increased to 150/100. My OB decided for a C section and BP was back to normal during and after delivery. I ws discharged after 3 days. 3 days later I started feeling weak and heaviness in head, pain in eyes, swelling in left foot. Checked BP... 180/110... Was rushed to the hospital: ECG was normal. The next 3 days was under... Read More
Posted On Saturday, August 03, 2013 By Ashley
I am a new mom that was hospitalized for postpartum preeclampsia in Nov. 2012, 5 days after I had my baby, I had a slight fever and a severe neck/headache. When I returned the call to the nurse that had called me for my postpartum checkup, a different nurse answered, NOT normally in charge of that. Amazingly, she helped save my life. She told me to see the doctor. (Afterwards I found out that many nurses there would have said it was just my milk coming in, and I was fine). She was an angel. I arrived at the doctor, and was admitted to the hospital immediately when they took my blood pressure (about... Read More
Posted On Friday, August 02, 2013 By Leslie
Hello, my name is Leslie B. I along with my two boys, Brody, 5 years old and Nicholas, 3 months old, are survivors of preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome. After having this condition with two pregnancies, I have felt a strong conviction to help bring awareness to this often "silent" but very serious condition. It really hit me when I was at a playdate with my boys, and a woman there expressed that she was so miserable being pregnant that she had prayed she would get preeclampsia so she could deliver early and "get" to have a c-section so she didn't have to endure a long labor. I was stunned at the idea that someone would want to have this, but I also kind of understood because although I had not... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 By Dana
My name is Dana and I developed preeclampsia in my 28th week. It was considered mild, but I was still hospitalized because my blood pressure was 175/95 and I was having severe headaches. By the following week, I had developed HELLP syndrome and my son had to be delivered by c-section. I almost did not make it through the delivery. Although my son was only 2.7 lbs, he was pretty healthy and only stayed in the NICU for 6 weeks. He is 6 months old now and doing amazing! I have always wanted multiple children but am absolutely terrified of going through this again. My entire pregnancy was unpleasant with two surgeries in the first two months to remove one of my ovaries because of a... Read More
Posted On Monday, July 29, 2013 By Emily
My name is Emily and about a year ago I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. My blood pressure was really high and my doctor put me on a few different medicationss to counteract it, but nothing helped... it just got worse and my dose was upped again and again. This went on for about three months before we lost our daughter. I was 7.5 months along. my husband and I want to start trying again, but I'm really frightened that this will happen again and I'm not so sure that I'm strong enough to bury an other child.
Posted On Saturday, July 27, 2013 By Kristin
Hello all, We lost our son Noah at birth, at 38 weeks. He was born and died May 10, 2013. Noah is our fourth baby. I have a history of pre eclampsia and had all of the warning signs. With Noah I had severe pre eclampsia and left undiagnosed and therefor untreated, I had a full placental abruption. I almost died as well, but thankfully another Angel was there that day. The doctor who saved my life. ... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 25, 2013 By Michelle
Hi: my name is Michelle Stewart and I am a survior of Preeclampsia. I was 26 weeks pregnant with my baby boy Jayson Grady Stewart when I noticed my hands where very swollen. This was my first pregnancy and I thought it was normal. I called my doctor and set up a time later in the day to be checked out. When I got to the doctor's office they took my blood pressure three times all coming out to 180/100. The nurse sent me straight to the hospital. I had never heard of Preeclampsia so I thought it was no big deal that they strapped me up and took my blood pressure for hours. I wasn't worried, I just thought they may put me on bed rest. When they finally got me... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 24, 2013 By Danielle
My husband and I tried for over 2 years to get pregnant. We were told we would need to proceed with IVF. So we had 3 embryos implanted and 1 of them matured into an exciting pregnancy for us. I was due on November 4, 2010. At 26 weeks of my pregnancy on July 27, 2013, I was at work and not feeling so great. My legs/ankles were very swollen but nothing else swelled. I was experiencing some vision problems. I went to my mom's office at the time she worked for an OB-GYN so one of the nurses could take my BP. Well it was extremely high. The OB/Gyn at her office told the nurse to run a urine test for my protein level. My levels were 7,000. I was immediately admitted into the hospital. My... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, July 23, 2013 By Sara
Our story starts out like most of them. We found out we were pregnant, and were very happy. We researched birthing options, and decided to have a birth center birth with a midwife. We went to all of our prenatal visits, and everything always checked out healthy and our pregnancy was "textbook"... until it wasn't. Around 32 weeks I noticed severe swelling. So much swelling... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 19, 2013 By Kristen
Our first child, Ellie Katherine, was born on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 5:02 am via c-section. She was 4 pounds, 4 ounces, and 16 and 1/2 inches long and was born at 37 weeks gestation. Her birth was a total whirlwind, but I'll start with what was happening a week before she was born. I went for my 36-week checkup and I had elevated blood pressure and protein in my urine. I was also swollen beyond recognition. All three of these symptoms are characteristic of preeclampsia, and I had protein in my urine for several weeks in a row by now. Ellie's heartbeat was good and my belly measured normal, so the doctor had me lay down for about half an hour and then came back and did my blood... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 19, 2013 By heather
Two blue lines. When a woman is trying to get pregnant that is about all she can think about. For me, it became an obsession in fact. My husband, Matthew, and I had been married for almost a year when we decided we wanted to try getting pregnant. Before any attempts were made on our behalf I went to my OBGYN for a preconception check-up. My exam and lab work revealed I was healthy and had the green light to try. Despite this reassurance from my physician that I was healthy and fit for pregnancy I could not shake this feeling I had that there was trouble ahead. At the time I suspected this trouble might be infertility. After one month of trying Matthew and I had conceived. On... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 10, 2013 By Jenette
My name is Jenette and I had severe Pre-e with elevated liver enzymes. I didn't know I had symptoms until after I knew what Pre-e was. I remember 2-3 weeks before going to the hospital saying there was glitter in the sky at school. It literally looked like someone dumped glitter from the 2nd level. I'll try giving you the short story. On the evening Monday March 3rd 2008 (24 weeks 3 days) my mom decided to take my BP after a week of me complaining of headaches. She also said I was... Read More
Posted On Friday, June 28, 2013 By nicole
Oliver's Story I remember when I found out I was pregnant, I was so shocked. I've always wanted to be a mom, we just did not think it would be that soon. It was the happiest moment of my life. We did a few home pregnancy tests and they came back negative so I was not hopeful. But my partner was convinced I was. So we went to the GP, I went in on my own and made my partner wait outside. When the nurse started to do the pregnancy test it was the most agonizing 5 minutes of my life. At first the negative line came up, I definitely was not hopeful. The nurse assured me that I... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, June 25, 2013 By Latoya
In 2006 we found out that we would be expecting our 3rd child. We already had two boys, so I was really hoping that my 3rd would be a girl, since I assumed that would be my last. In May of 2006 we found out we were expecting a girl; I was so excited. My due date was 10/28/06, so I had to go through the whole summer. :( Everything was going well in the pregnancy; I was not considered high risk at the time. I had preeclampsia with the boys, but not until actual labor at 39 and 40 weeks, so they really had no reason to think that the pregnancy would be any different. I continued to go to my monthly appointments and again everything was fine... then all of sudden around August 1, I... Read More
Posted On Monday, June 24, 2013 By Courtney
Well my name is Courtney and at the time I was 19 years old and found out January 2012 I was pregnant, later in January when I was 8 weeks pregnant, I found out I was pregnant with fraternal twins. I used to be a very small person but as the weeks went by I grew very fast. When I was 28 weeks pregnant I was the size of a single birth mother at 40 weeks. My pregnancy went great never had any complications at all things were going very smoothly. Oh and at 18 weeks I found out I was having two girls. By the way my doctor never told me anything about preeclampsia at all, never read anything about it, I was completely unaware of it. On Friday August 9, 2012 I had my weekly regular... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 By Kellie
Our story began on Father's Day when we found out we were pregnant just after moving into our new home! The first trimester was a doozy! I threw up all day everyday and had many food aversions, but the first day of the second trimester felt amazing and was energized and able to actually eat!!!! Everything was great up until I went in for my checkup at 31 weeks and my blood pressure was elevated. I was sent home on bedrest and scared. The next morning my OBGYN called and said she didn't want to wait until monday to check me again and wanted to see me checked in at the hospital for observation. I am so glad she called by the time I got there my blood pressure was 220/130! I... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 By Kimberly
I was ecstatic when I finally got a positive pregnancy test on Sept 11, 2011 after 2 yrs of ttc. Little did I know that my pregnancy and delivery would be life threatening and the most terrifying experience of my life. At 8 weeks I had to go to the ER because of spotting. The docs diagnosed it as a threatened miscarriage and sent me home to wait it out. Well by the grace of God the spotting ended and I continued to carry my baby. I thought that was the most traumatizing experience I could have, but boy, was I wrong. At 22 wks, I notice my little boy had significantly stopped moving. So my doc hooked me up to the NST machine and found out the cord was around his neck. After much... Read More
Posted On Monday, June 17, 2013 By Michelle
I thought I would share my story of postpartum preeclampsia because prior to having it, I had never even heard of this condition! It started back in 2000, with the pregnancy of our son, Jonah. Because it was my first pregnancy, I had no idea that I was having contractions at 34 weeks, I just thought the baby was "balling" up in me!! When I went for a check up and during the examination, the doctor could feel the contraction and asked if I had been having those regularly, "Um, yes forever!" That did it, complete bed rest until I delivered at 37 weeks, he was coming no matter what! Thank goodness, he was happy and healthy! We were sent home after 24 hours and we were on... Read More
Posted On Monday, June 17, 2013 By jay
When I found out I was pregnant my partner and I were both overjoyed; we were so happy and filled with excitement that we were in our own little bubble. This would be my second pregnancy and I didn't worry too much about any complications, my first child's labour had gone without a hitch , my son weighed a healthy 8lb 6oz and I was out of hospital that next evening. So I was hoping my 2nd labor would be similar. Everything went well throughout the pregnancy except for normal pregnancy symptoms of nausea and tiredness. I took early maternity leave at 33 weeks due to having sciatica it was difficult to work as I had to stand most of the day. I started aqua natal once a week which I... Read More
Posted On Monday, June 17, 2013 By Shelly
Our story began on January 13, 2004, at the age of 21 I learned I was pregnant with my first child. On April 5th, I learned my baby was a girl. I fit none of the typical risk factors for preeclampsia or eclampsia, except that it was my first pregnancy. My pregnancy was perfect until mid May, I began experiencing terrible headaches, noticeable swelling and pain that would not abate no matter what I did or what kind of medicine I took, and horrendous nausea, vomiting and heartburn. I reported these symptoms to the midwife who told me to cut down my salt intake (interesting thing to say to someone who can't keep anything down)! I had been reading "What to Expect when You're... Read More
Posted On Friday, June 07, 2013 By Lisa
I was very excited to learn I was pregnant with my daughter in Jan. 2011. I was then 40 years old. I have always been very healthy, so I had no concerns about my own well-being; my concerns were focused solely on my baby's health because I had conceived older than I had initially anticipated. Most of my pregnancy was wonderful. The first health issue came at about the 6 month point. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but I was able to keep this under control throughout the remainder of the pregnancy with diet and did not have to take any medication. Later that month and into my 7th month, I began to swell in my legs. Because we were having such a hot summer, I... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 30, 2013 By Kelli
As my story goes, it all started with my first pregnancy back in 2009. I found out I was pregnant at 10 weeks after my ex beat me, so a little over two months when I found out. Everything seemed to be going great: she was just starting to move around and I could feel the little flutters of her flipping around in my tummy. At 15 weeks I ended up in the ER with strong cramps not feeling well, and the cold sweats I knew something wasnt right. So I went in; they told me everything was fine and it was just a UTI and sent me on my merry little way. Couple weeks later I felt like I had the flu, so I was back in the ER. Heartbeat was fine, no stress,... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 17, 2013 By Lindsey
I had preeclampsia which was not noticed and then I had HELLP syndrome. I had not read much about it while I was pregnant. The doctor had told me that my baby was measuring in the 10th percentile at my ultrasound. I had swelling of my one leg and my face, I also had a rash on my back. The doctor said these were all normal. But she had sent me for a more in-depth ultrasound and a stress test. I went for those and before we got the results she asked me to go before the weekend on Friday just in case because the blood flow was right at the dot. Any lower and we would've been induced. By the time I showed up on Friday, I had been having really bad chest pains where I couldn't even... Read More
Posted On Saturday, May 11, 2013 By Alisha
I am a survivor of postpartum eclampsia. 5 days after giving birth to our little girl Madysin, I developed the worst migraine ever. Knowing I couldn't take care of her due to the horrible pain, I called my mom. She came over to help, called my ob and he prescribed me pain pills. The next day I felt thumping in my ears, still having the horrible migraine, so we decided to go to the ER. As I was getting dressed, I told my mom I needed to try and brush my teeth. I held my toothbrush in one hand and the toothpaste in another but I started crying... I had no idea how or what to do next something: so simple and easy, I couldn't figure out. I went and sat on the edge of my bed and was telling... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, May 07, 2013 By debra
Cam was my second child. My first child was 6 weeks and 4 day early and perfect other then early. So Cam was a week over due and all was fine my water broke and we headed to the hospital. Labor lasted 6 hours and Cam arrived. Things seemed fine. 2 hours later not so much... My blood pressure sky rocketed and I had a stroke and all organs shut down and bled out. My dr. had no idea what was going on as he had never had a case of post-eclampsia. I was placed in a coma for a week to get my blood pressure under control. The baby was fine me, but not so much. We both made it and are great. I had never checked my blood pressure before having my kids or I would have known. I had low blood... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 10, 2013 By Debra
I got pregnant with my first son at 19, I always wanted to have kids young (mainly because my parents were older when they had me and my younger twin brothers and I wanted to be able to have fun with my kids). The pregnancy was not planned but Ive found that babies come when they want to, not when you want them to. The pregnancy started completely normally; I never even experienced morning sickness. The only thing scary about it was that I was a tiny baby (5lbs 13oz) and my twin brother were both just under 5lbs and I was only 4ft 10in and 90 lbs when I got pregnant and yet some how I was told I was going to have a 6 or 7 pound baby. I told the doctors that it was not possible... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 08, 2013 By Karrie
My husband and I were so excited when we found out we were expecting a little boy. My pregnancy had been normal until I hit 24 weeks. I noticed that my feet, ankles and hands were getting swollen suddenly. I thought it was "normal" pregnancy symptoms since this was my first pregnancy. I called my doctor and told her what was going on and was told, "it's normal to experience that with pregnancy". A couple days later I started developing headaches that would not go away and some light headedness. I thought again, this must be related to being pregnant. After a week my feet had doubled in size from the previous week and I did not feel good at all. I felt so weak and tired... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 03, 2013 By Laura
On March 18th, 2012, John (my husband) and I found out we were expecting with our first child. It was only the month before that we started trying and prayed that God would bless our family. Due to my family's history of miscarriages and struggles to become pregnant, I did not expect for this event to be taking place so soon. At one of our first appointments, we found out that the baby would be due on my mothers birth date, November 22nd, which fell on Thanksgiving Day 2012.... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 02, 2013 By Courtney
My pregnancy story starts with an emergency cerclage placed at 23 weeks 3 days for an incompetent cervix; almost 5 weeks of subsequent hospital bedrest; and following that, 7 weeks of strict bedrest at home. My story ends with me being induced at 36 weeks and 3 days due to rapid onset of pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome and staying 5 days in the hospital due to high blood pressure postpartum. I have had borderline hypertension since before my pregnancy, with it spiking at doctor's appointments due to my white coat syndrome that would cause me severe anxiety when getting my blood pressure taken. Once I relaxed my blood pressure was about 130/80 usually. So at my twice weekly... Read More
Posted On Friday, March 29, 2013 By Bonnie
I am 20 years old and have a 1 year old son Cooper. He is my first successful pregnancy; my first two were miscarriages. I was 3 months pregnant when I found out I was pregnant and was overwhelmed. I spent so much time trying to organize all my important appointments and find a hospital to book myself into very quickly. I knew very little about preeclampsia but I did know that some of my family suffered from the condition in multiple pregnancies. When I alerted my obstetrician he informed me that preeclampsia is not a genetic disorder so I needn't worry myself too much about the condition. Two weeks before my 3rd obstetrician appointment I had started to "blow up" through my... Read More
Posted On Thursday, March 21, 2013 By Crystal
It was about 6 weeks before my due date when I went to the doctor's office, planning to ask to be put on bed rest. I had been gaining weight at about 10 pounds per week, which I knew was not normal. My skin was stretched to its max, and I was in pain all over, constantly. My job required me to be relatively active, and it hurt to even sit at my desk. When the doctor checked my blood pressure, it was a little high, so they had me stay for observation. I called my husband, since I knew something wasn't right. The doctor came in to tell me they had also found protein in my urine and thought it was the beginning of pre-e. I was admitted into the hospital on Monday, and by Tuesday I... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, March 06, 2013 By Lindsey
The stork arrived at the Zabroski's on the August 5th, 2012. We were more than elated to receive such good news of our first child arriving in April 2013. In November 2012, we received even more amazing news that God has blessed us with baby boy! We instantly named him Bohden Eugene Zabroski, which is Ukrainian for "God's Gift". Little did we know how fitting his name would be. I couldn't wait to decorate his room with all my pinterest ideas. I put together pennants for his room decorations. It was all finally starting to come... Read More
Posted On Friday, March 01, 2013 By angela
My name is Angela and I got pregnant with my son Ayden when I was 18. I was an active person before I got pregnant and would run 3 miles a week. My first trimester and half way through my second trimester was great. I had no issues at the time and thought it was going to be an easy pregnancy. I would try and stay active by jogging during my pregnancy but that's what got me into trouble. I started to notice blood and immediately called the doctor. That same day I was admitted into the hospital for having contractions at 5 months and I was given magnesium sulfate for about a week. I was finally... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 28, 2013 By sandra
hello my name's Sandra and I had preeclampsia two times. The first time I had preeclampsia, I was pregnant 12 week and I lost my baby boy. The second time that I had preeclampsia I had baby girl. I was 26 Weeks pregnant and she weighed only one pound and I don't think one should suffer and it be 8 month and I still haven't had my daughter home. she is still at hospital. I hope all the women who had preeclampsia take care of themselves because this not good to have preeclampsia.
Posted On Wednesday, February 27, 2013 By Kim
Almost four years ago I gave birth to my amazing son, but not before suffering from Preeclampsia. I began showing signs of preeclampsia around 34 weeks, but wasn't diagnosed until 39 weeks. Fortunately, I went into labor even before my test results came back. I know in my heart that I am meant to be a mother again, but I'm terrified of going through preeclampsia again. I'm hoping to meet other women who have suffered from preeclampsia with the first pregnancy, but have gone on to have a second, third, or even more children.
Posted On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 By Nicky
After I had lost Keira our little girl on the 2nd January 2012. I was really upset and I never believed that I would have a wonderful pregnancy with no issues and or problems. In March 2012, once my gynae had come back from maternity leave for having her baby the same day I lost mine,she gave me a call. And she told me I should wait at least a year before I try again to fall pregnant. I had done a lot of reading and checking this forum for answers as to how long I should wait to try again. All I ever wanted in the whole wide world was to become a MOM. At my check-up with the stand in gynae I asked him how long should I take to start trying again..... He answered me and... Read More
Posted On Friday, February 22, 2013 By Sarah
The majority of my pregnancy was wonderful. I had kept up with my workouts, ate healthy, felt great! I had no reason to think that this pregnancy would be any different with my first. All my tests were coming back normal, I was gaining the right amount of weight and the baby seemed to be moving all over the place. At 33 weeks pregnant I began to have some abdominal pain that I thought was due to the baby's positioning, or possibly gallbladder. I began having the pain more often and mostly through the night. I let it go on for about a week until I called my doctor. By this time I was 34 weeks and only seeing my doctor every two weeks. The office told me to come on in, they... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 By Nicole
I'm so relieved to finally be able to tell my story to people who understand what I went through. No one quite knows how traumatic my birth experience was. Right after high school I was diagnosed with endometriosis and was told it would be very difficult to conceive if I ever wanted kids. I was heartbroken. A year later I began dating my current boyfriend. We've been together 4 years this month. In December of 2011 I took a pregnancy test because I was late and my boobs were killing me. I didn't think it would be positive, but to my surprise it was! As the months went on, I had a few bumps in the road. I was 1 in 4 for down syndrome, I... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 By angela
Little did I know that my Thanksgiving break from the last month of nursing school would be spending admitted to the local hospital by my OB doctor. Looking back, fora few days I wasn't feeling well. Friday I had indigestion, so I thought. Saturday and Sunday I didn't feel right, not much of an appetite and I told my family I felt nauseous. Monday, I would get hot on and off and I thought I had heartburn. The office staff had me go into the office when I called to tell them I was fine, but wanted them to know that yesterday i had the worst "heartburn" ever. I have never had it before so I didn't know what it was suppose to feel like. I told them what I did to try to relieve... Read More
Posted On Friday, February 15, 2013 By Becky
On November 10, 2012, my familys lives changed forever. My sister and brother in law, Rikki & Nick Ziska were expecting their first child, a baby boy. A little background: Rikki is 35 years old. She has an auto immune disease (Ulcerative Colitis). On November 7th, she had an appointment to have her monthly Remicade Infusion at the Med Center here in Omaha. Before beginning the infusion, her blood pressure was unusually high, so they called her Ob/Gyn to let him know. He requested that she go to the hospital for monitoring of her pressure. Rikki was kept overnight on the 7th for monitoring as they could not get her pressure to come and stay down... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 14, 2013 By Sommer
My story is like many others who have suffered from preeclampsia during their pregnancies. My first son was born at 39 weeks because I developed preeclampsia out of nowhere and they rushed me into an emergency C-section. He was born weighing 6 pounds even. I had commented to my mother a few weeks earlier that I thought he had stopped growing. Always trust your instincts! It took 4 years before I decided to try again and have another child. I had been told by several doctors prior to my first child that I would never conceive naturally. I told my husband and myself that we had 1 month to conceive our second child naturally and if it didn't happen, then it wasn't meant to be. Later... Read More
Posted On Saturday, February 09, 2013 By Erin
5 years ago this past January I was blessed to have my healthy little 5 lb 2 oz daughter via induction, she was born at 36 weeks. I had a normal pregnancy for the most part (in the beginning) the normal morning sickness throughout the 1st trimester. During the 2nd trimester the morning sickness tapered off a little bit, but still had the occasional nausea and vomiting. I worked at a pharmacy Monday-Friday, which consisted of me sitting at a desk all day long. All my checkups had been normal up until December 7, 2007 I was sitting at work taking calls from patients when all of a sudden my nose started gushing blood, it bleed for about a hour and a half, it didn't... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 04, 2013 By Kristi
In early December of 2010, my husband and I found out we were expecting! We were scared and excited all at the same time! I had a great 1st trimester and was thinking to myself hey, this isnt so bad! As soon as I hit my 2nd trimester all of that changed; I had all-day sickness and was just plain miserable! I worked as a nursing assistant in a small, local hospital and one day I felt weird. I had one of the nurses on my floor check my blood pressure and compared to my norm, was a little high. I called my doctor and he wanted to see me the next day. He did all kinds of tests, eventually diagnosing me with preeclampsia. Being in my 25th week of pregnancy,... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 04, 2013 By Christine
I hadnt been feeling well for a few days. I decided I would go in to work super early and give directions to the staff and then go home and go to the doctor. I got home and lay on the couch until 8 am when Dr. Cs office opened and then called in to see if I could get an appointment. I gave the receptionist my symptoms, upset stomach, no appetite, back pain, gas and she said to come in right away to see the nurse practitioner. When I got in the room with the NP, I went over my... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 29, 2013 By Margie
I was working in the local hospital as a Radiographer when I got pregnant. During the time that I worked there, there were at least 2 others that were pregnant... The ob-gyn practice I chose was across the street, and I knew all 4 of the doctors. Due to morning sickness I gained too much weight, but my Gestational Diabetes test was negative and all my other checkups were okay. About a month before my due date I had early labor, so I went in the hospital overnight and received hydration/drug therapy. In my first trimester I saw the other ladies in the department with swollen ankles, and I said "I'm not going to get those." They said 'oh, sure.' Well, I did get... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 29, 2013 By Christina
Hi my name is Christina and I want to share my story. Just this past April 2012, my boyfriend, Mark, and I found out we were expecting a baby. Not only were we scared for the reality of being new parents, we were so excited and thrilled to know we will have a little one this year. I'm not in the greatest shape, however, my doctors didn't seem too worried about my pregnancy. I had regular visits every few weeks to check up on the baby and me. I remember the first time my doctor did a sonogram and we heard her heartbeats; to this day I can still hear them. Also keep in mind, I worked at a Starbucks, and actually just got transferred to an even busier location. Working 40 hours a... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 29, 2013 By Jaime
Well I guess I should start from the beginning: It started when I met my husband, we wanted to plan a baby safely so I went to a baby doctor and had an HSG test done. The results were that I could never get pregnant and well a few stressful months later I received the wonderful news that I was pregnant. My husband and I could not be happier. My husband already had two wonderful sons that I think of as my own and they were very excited as well. We found out that it was a little boy and were very thrilled. I was a baby born early due to preeclampsia, and was very fortunate to survive. I had Ronan through an emergency c-section at 24 weeks of gestation. He lived for 1 month and 9... Read More
Posted On Monday, January 28, 2013 By Laura
Four and a half years ago, my son was born at 31 1/2 weeks, at just over 3 lbs, due to severe pre-eclampsia. Unfortunately, after delivery, my pre-eclampsia worsened and I developed HELLP post-partum. Despite the harrowing experience, I count myself very lucky - my son has minor preemie developmental issues, but is otherwise healthy and I recovered after two rounds of mag sulfate, a week in hospital, and a course of beta blockers. A year later, we made a hesitant decision to proceed with a second pregnancy, and luckily the pre-eclampsia did not reoccur. I took low dose aspirin daily under the recommendation of my doctor during that pregnancy, which worked for me... Read More
Posted On Thursday, January 24, 2013 By jessica
on January 1st, 2013 at 2 am I woke up with what felt like unbearable heartburn. So I took some tums and tried to go back to bed, but after an hour it was still there. So I woke up my fiance and told him I need to go to the hospital. When I got there, they put me in a room and took my blood pressure. I had already been getting some high blood pressure results from the doctor and was already on blood pressure medication. My blood pressure that morning was 200/130, so they had me lay down and they checked it every 20 minutes. They then took my blood and found I had high liver enzymes and checked my urine, which had high amounts of protein in it. So after 3 hours, they gave me some... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 By Jana
I was a very active 27 year old and I worked hard throughout my pregnancy as crop adviser. I walked about 5 miles a day in potato and grain fields. I felt very good throughout the pregnancy except I had problems with having a lot of braxton hicks contractions. At 35 weeks I woke up in the night and had incredible abdomen and back pain. I was hospitalized for 48 hours and the regional hospital almost flew me out to Denver or Colorado Springs where there is a NICU. My liver levels went down and my blood pressure was only moderately high when I was having sever pain so I went home and was on complete bed-rest. I ended up making two more trips to the hospital and on the second... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 11, 2013 By Katie
Hi, my name is Katie and here is my story. It took my husband and I just over 12 months to conceive after 3 miscarriages. I was 33 when we started trying and we were getting ready to go through lots of testing to find out why I couldn't sustain a pregnancy. Finally we fell pregnant and I was able to keep it. I was ecstatic when I hit 12 weeks and the scan showed a perfect baby comfortably snuggled inside me. I am a primary school teacher and decided that I felt so good that I would work up until 2 weeks before bub was due (what a mistake that was!). So fast forward to 33 weeks and I had had a cold for several weeks and was coughing like crazy and felt like I was... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 11, 2013 By Tania
On Janurary 2, 2013, Beth had been told by her Co-Worker, Nathan, to go home. She started having difficulty breathing while at work. Shortly thereafter, my brother Jonathan rushed her to a nearby hospital where she underwent all the routine test plus, some. The on-call doctor for the OB that night was called in urgently to inform us that Beth had severe preeclampsia, a life threatening disease that occurs with an at risk pregnancy. ...(Eclampsia is most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother and/or baby according to the... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, January 09, 2013 By cierra
Hello, My Name Is Breanne. I got pregnant with my son at age 15. I'm 18 now and he is two! I had many problems with my son's health through out my whole pregnancy. The doctors said he had Down Syndrome and that he would have a kidney problem; because of these problems I saw two doctors a month not just one. I also had an Ultrasound each month along with stress tests twice a week. It was December 9th 2010, I went in for my stress test. Well my blood pressure was really high, I was having contractions, and I was dilated to a 2. I was sent to the hospital, who then diagnosed me with preeclampsia. Since I was only thirty five weeks, I was in the hospital till midnight.... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 08, 2013 By victoria
I found out I was pregnant with non-identical twins at my 12 week scan in February 2011. I had a difficult first 14 weeks with bad nausea but after this I began to feel well and enjoy my pregnancy. At 27 weeks my feet and hands were swelling pretty rapidly, to the point I couldn't fit into my shoes or put my wedding ring on. I went to see my midwife who sent me into hospital to be checked out. My blood pressure was 145/88 (compared to 100/60 at start of my pregnancy) and had all the tests carried out and was let home. This was the first time I heard the word pre-eclampsia and it was explained to me but I was told I didn't have it but was told what to look out for. I... Read More
Posted On Sunday, January 06, 2013 By Claire
At 17 years old, about to turn 18, I found out I was pregnant. It was a really tough thing to accept and deal with as we were still living in my partner's mothers house and it wasnt really suitable for a child. I also had always suffered from PCOS, and doctors were always telling me that I would have trouble with fertility. For a whole year I was unprotected because I figured if I was to get pregnant, Id let it happen because my chances were low anyway. Then I was studying and decided Id rather wait until I got some sort of degree and set my life up before thinking about children. The doctor put me on the pill to regulate my hormones and to prevent pregnancy at the same time. Under a... Read More
Posted On Thursday, January 03, 2013 By Shana
I was 29 weeks pregnant when I developed PUPPPS (Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy). It was basically a rash caused by the pregnancy and according to my Dr. there was no cure except delivery. I was basically stuck with the constant and painful itch that covered my chest, belly and legs. I was miserable, but thankful my little baby boy was doing great! Then at 32 weeks I went in for a normal prenatal check up. The nurse checked my BP and told me to lay down on my left side and she would be back. Turns out my OB wasn't in that day and I was going to be seeing a nurse practitioner. But to my surprise the... Read More
Posted On Sunday, December 30, 2012 By Robin
My husband and I decided to start a family in January of 2011. I promptly went off the pill and hoped that I would get pregnant quickly. It took about a year for me to finally get a positive reading, and 4 short weeks after that happened, I found out I was having a miscarriage. That was January 2012. Things werent progressing on their own, so I had a D&C on January 11, 2012. I was devastated and convinced the only thing that would take away the pain was getting pregnant again as soon as possible. So, in April, when we could try again, my... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, December 26, 2012 By Ujitha
Hi My wife is pregnant with our 2nd baby with delivery dates on 14th of February 2013 to a baby-boy, but will have planned to deliver by C-section on January due to diabetic problem. Up to today (26-12-2012) our baby is 32 weeks and 6 days. Before about 3 weeks ago, exactly on 7th December she was hospitalized due to high BP(150/100) and high blood sugar(FB-199). Before this day (7-12-2012) two times she visited to our VOG for consultation due to high BP when check at the clinic but above both two times when check with VOGs' presure machine BP was ok. But continuously her UFR result got plus with albumin (I think protein in uria) for since two months back. Also baby... Read More
Posted On Thursday, December 20, 2012 By SANDRA
I was 20 years old and pregnant with my first child, a girl. I was already in maternity. I remember one day as I was walking on the street, my right eye saw black. I had swollen hands and feet. I went from store-to-store to find a shoe that would fit my balloon-like swelling. I found a senior citizen style shoe and walked with that for the next few days. My mom saw me and right away called my doctor. He was preoccupied with the birth of his own daughter. I was told to go see him on Friday. This was Wednesday. I got to his office Friday morning; he took my blood pressure sitting, then laying. I was 23 weeks along and was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia. I was admitted to the hospital... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, December 18, 2012 By Kelley
I have read many of these stories and am absolutely heart broken. My son Gray was born on August 21, 2011 at 36 weeks. His delivery process began one week before when I noticed that my stomach was very tight...hard as a rock. I was very tired and had pain that would come and go in the upper and right side of my stomach. I drove myself to the hospital twice that week and admitted myself into L&D. My blood pressure was elevated slightly, but they sent me home both times without any other instructions. I felt silly that I had driven myself up to the hospital and there was nothing wrong with me. When I got home that morning from my second trip to the hospital I started feeling... Read More
Posted On Saturday, December 15, 2012 By Sonia
I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone has experienced the same. I had a baby boy back in 1999, he is now 13 yrs old. In January 2011 I found out I was expecting a baby. Everything was fine until my growth scan was done in April and I was told my little girl was too small, but the Dr. assured me that it may be due to the fact that I was small and maybe that's why this baby is small. Then in early July (about 28 week gestation) I was rushed into the ER with severe abdomen pain, where I was told my little girl no longer had a heartbeat. The Dr at the ER told me the baby may have been dead for at least a couple of weeks. I was then sent to a specialist and got a few... Read More
Posted On Friday, December 14, 2012 By Alicia
My fiance and I just got back from a Model T Tour in Vermont late Sunday night. We decided to shower and get some sleep because I had a doctors appoint at 9 the next morning. Through out the trip I got really swollen and gained lots of weight. I couldn't understand why, I was eating healthy and didn't really stray from my daily routine. My feet and legs were so swollen and hurt to even walk my fiance would have to help me walk and bring me ice pack after ice pack. When the next morning arrived, we woke up and got ready for what we thought was going to be a quick routine appointment. We got called into the doctors office by the nurse, she took my blood pressure and told me to lay... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 By Sarah
I have spent countless hours on the Preeclampsia Foundation webpage reading and researching, but I have never added my story until now. The further I get from my pregnancies, the less frequently I obsessively mentally rehash my experiences with pre-e, and the more my memories of the ordeal have gradually dulled; considering the trauma at the time of the events, I am thankful for this usually diminishing pain, but then I'll read a piece of news about another woman experiencing this complication and my memories all come rushing back to vividly haunt me for a few more days and I'm right back here checking stats and brushing up on the latest medical findings. In hindsight, I wish I had... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 10, 2012 By Patricia
My two healthy children have wiped my memory nearly clean of the trauma of their two separate births and first months of life. Both my daughters were born entirely too soon--by all standards. Lily was born at 29 weeks, 5 days. Chloe, at 31 weeks. Both were cheated out of ten weeks in the womb--ten cozy, cuddling weeks to grow big, develop strong lungs and you know, finish the whole gestational process like God intended.I would have sold a kidney to experience the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. And my babies, my babies were in no hurry to be born. I never went into labor, never even had a Braxton Hicks nor did I make it to a birthing class. There were no embarrassing... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 10, 2012 By charmaine
Hello- many people don't know much about pre-eclampsia; I didn't until I had it. This is my story. My name is Charmaine Dawkins and I was 17 and he was 22 when we started trying for are first baby together. I am very mature for my age and we decided we were ready. I fell pregnant first time trying. I was shocked because it can take months, but then I realized there was a beautiful baby growing inside of me and we were so happy. Our family and friends were filled with joy as they could see we were so happy.I had horrible morning sickness day and night: I would not be able to keep anything down, but I dealt with it. We had all the normal scans and everything was perfect. On my... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 03, 2012 By sharon
I suffered from preeclampsia and was officially diagnosed with it at 33 weeks,was concerned about it as midwifes picked up high blood pressure and protein in urine at 28weeks. At second check-up, blood pressure was still high and they decided to send me for blood tests. My gynecologist said I should consider a c-section and natural birth may no longer be an option. When I was 32 weeks was sent to hospital to have steroid injections and had my urine monitored; was released the following day. A week later at check-up, we realiszed baby wasn't growing and my doctor said I would have to have to have a c-section the following day. I had another steroid injection: this was to help my... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 30, 2012 By Michelle
Posted On Friday, November 16, 2012 By lisa
On Wednesday, November 7, 2012, I found my Daughter-in-law dead - just sitting on the toilet. The autopsy revealed she died from preeclampsia and our sweet baby Jack at 34 weeks gestation died when his mother's heart stopped beating. She had been in the hospital 3 times in two weeks for abdominal pain, swelling and headaches and was on bedrest at the time of her death. She had been to the doctor just the day before and had lost 2 pounds, was feeling great, her swelling was greatly diminished and her blood pressure 142/90 - she was always compliant with diet and bedrest restrictions and took her blood pressure every two hours. This was her first pregnancy. I cannot understand how this... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 16, 2012 By Sofia
Growing up in a community where teen pregnancy was very common, my high school did a lot to keep us from wanting kids at a young age. They would assign babies with computer chips that needed to be fed n changed at all hours day or night, they would show us videos of live births and tell us how hard life would be with a child at such a young age. The live birth videos alone were enough to scare me through my teenage years, my 20's and even a bit of my 30's but at 32 I was expecting. My parents had not had a grandchild in 13 years, and it would be a first for my in-laws! It was surreal, I was excited, nervous and any other emotion you can imagine. April 22, I arranged for my family... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 16, 2012 By mahjooba
I consider myself a survivor of this disorder. During my first pregnancy, I didn't even know what preeclampsia was. My doctor hadn't even discussed it with me. Even when I was sent to the hospital due to very high levels of protein in my urine at 39 week, no one mentioned preeclampsia to me. As a result, my son was born only four pounds, and I didn't have a clue to what had caused him to be so small. I had done my part with everything right (I could have died from preeclampsia. I wish my gynecologist had told me. Perhaps he wasn't familiar with it either).With my second pregnancy, twins, I decided to research my son's low birth weight, the high blood pressure, water... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 12, 2012 By Krys
Hi everyone!! I've been on this website reading many sad/encouraging stories since 6/17/12... two days after my precious baby girl was born. Some background- I have an healthy 8 year old; no complications during pregnancy. I have a healthy 2 year old; no complications with that pregnancy either. Third pregnancy, I noticed different things that I'd never experienced before. Went to prenatal checkup's blood pressure ran in 130's over 80's. The doctor that delivered my first two was not my doctor for my third pregnancy. I worked for an OB/GYN and decided to let him deliver my 3rd. Well he was deployed to Afghanistan (reserves) so during my second trimester there was a... Read More
Posted On Saturday, November 10, 2012 By amber
Hello my name is Amber. I am 23 years old. I already know a pain most parents don't have to feel. I had to bury my son before he even got a chance to live. He was 29 weeks when I found out he no longer had a heartbeat. I went for an appointment on a Wednesday and had told my doctor I had severe swelling in my hands; it didn't go away, and that they went numb when I slept every night several times a night. I also told her about flashing lights I saw if I turned my head a certain way. On that Wednesday, I also had high blood pressure and proteinuria, the biggest signs for preeclampsia. They sent me home with a bunch of tests to do and follow up with a doctor in 1 week.... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 08, 2012 By maria
Todo comenzo cuando apenas tenia 19 a±os en el 2007, y esperaba a mi primer hijo Jomar, en esa espera los primeros meses fueron muy bonito e inolvidables. Empezando el 3er trimestre comenze a notar como me hinchaba execivamente, la cara, las manos, las piernas y tobillos. Pensaba que todo era parte del embarazo. Llegue gracias a Dios a mis 39 semanas cuando el medico me envio de emergencia para el hospital a practicarme una cesarea de emergencia. Dentro de todo mi hijo salio perfectamente nacio el 30 de octubre de 2007 y midio 21'' y peso 7'11 lbs, nacio a las 12:57 de la tarde era un bebe precioso. Luego del parto la presion seguia alta 140-90 como una semana adicional, tenia cruces de... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 05, 2012 By lisa
I woke up on the 19th of April feeling good with the usual pregnancy aches and pains. I was booked into the local doctors for a routine check up that afternoon. I went to the doctors, where she took my blood pressure and a urine sample. She looked worried and asked if I had transport to the hospital. I told her I did; she told me to go straight to the hospital where I was admitted through A&E. After a short wait, I was landed in a wheel chair headed for the maternity ward... Nurses and doctors ran around me doing tests and traces on my baby. Soon after I was sent for a scan, where I was told my baby was a little small for its gestation. The doctor then came in and... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 01, 2012 By Katie
I became pregnant in late April 2010; throughout my entire pregnancy I was sick. Morning sickness was horrible, I was throwing up just about every morning. I went to all my normal prenatal visits and of course had to pee in a cup to check all my levels. A few times the nurse told me I had too much protein in my urine and told me to make sure I drank plenty of water and eat healthy. How can you always eat healthy with all those pregnancy cravings?! In September of 2010 I switched doctors due to a change of insurance and also because I didn't care for the doctors I was seeing. I had found out I was having a girl and couldn't be more excited!! I had met and loved my new doctor.... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 01, 2012 By Jennifer
Prior to the birth of my second son, I was aware of prematurity in a general sense. I knew what the word meant. I knew a few friends, family members, and acquaintances who had dealt with the early arrival of an infant. To me, prematurity meant a baby who was probably no more than a month early and who might be slightly smaller than the 6 to 8 pound newborns that I was used to seeing. Prior to the birth of my second son, I was even less aware of preeclampsia. I had heard the word before and even knew of a case or two. I looked it up in my pregnancy book out of curiosity and dismissed it almost immediately. Blood pressure had never been a problem for me before and seizures were... Read More
Posted On Monday, October 29, 2012 By Suzanne
I lived in Mississippi at the time of my first pregnancy. I had an OB right out of med school, and by the time I went to my regular appointment at 26 weeks, he didn't play around. He said I had severe preeclampsia, and said he witnessed two women who died of PE during his residency and it wasn't going to happen to me. He put me in an ambulance to Mobile, Alabama, and said that the hospital I was headed to was amazing and they would take great care of my unborn daughter and me. He was right. I owe the staff at the hospital everything for saving my life and the life of my daughter. I was so very sick that my parents and husband were told that the baby and I may... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 23, 2012 By LaTonya
I have 2 children the 1st I delivered in March of 2004 at 31 weeks with having eclampsia. I never knew of the term and it came out of nowhere, with severe headaches and a seizure. I delivered a healthy 3 lbs 8 oz boy and he was in the hospital from March 18th till April 20th. Now it's 8 yrs down the line and I end up getting preeclampsia again, even though I knew the symptoms I never thought it would get to eclampsia. Blood pressure was through the roof high and the docs found protein in my urine. The docs got it to settle down but it crept back up on me again and I gain 5 lbs overnight, while still in the hospital. Nevertheless I delivered a 2 lb 9 oz at 28 weeks and I'm patiently... Read More
Posted On Friday, October 19, 2012 By Gia
I struggled with getting pregnant with our first child. We had started trying after I had been on the pill for about 7 years, and finally went off, tried and tried to get pregnant. Was referred to the fertility clinic to see as to why I was not getting pregnant. Both my husband and I were tested for any infertility concerns, I was not ovulating they were unsure why. Therefore we went ahead with having the procedure done for IUI. I found out I was pregnant about 3 weeks later via blood test. We were thrilled and beyond excited to be expecting. As time went on, I was extremely ill throughout my entire pregnancy, never kept anything down, throwing up all day and finishing up... Read More
Posted On Thursday, October 18, 2012 By Marie
My name is Marie. I first found out I was pregnant in November of 2008. After trying for what seemed like ever my husband at the time and I decided to quite trying. That's when it happened!! I found out that I was about 6 wks along and it was the biggest joy of our lives! I followed every rule in the book for a healthy pregnancy. I quite smoking immediately, I ate right, I followed all my OB's guidelines. It was late December when I made my first trip to the ER. I noticed I had swelling in my hands and feet, to the point I could not get my wedding rings on. Even my socks were feeling incredibly tight. I was seen in the regular emergency room and was told I had symptoms... Read More
Posted On Monday, October 15, 2012 By Megan
My name is Megan. I was 21 when I had my baby girl. She was due in March and pregnancy was going great. When I was 30 weeks along I noticed swelling, but thought it was just part of being pregnant. My checkup came and I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. That very day I was admitted to the hospital because my blood pressure was high. They checked my urine and the next day my doctor came to see me. She said my protein count was high, but if I stayed on complete bed rest, I could go home along with my prescription of blood pressure medicine and very low sodium diet. So I went home and did everything I was told. A couple days later, I felt bad and decided to check my... Read More
Posted On Sunday, October 14, 2012 By Xiomara
In my 1st pregnancy I had severe preeclampsia at 34 weeks, I had had a c-section. I was on the verge of death by negligence, basically because of my doctors. When I was in the... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 09, 2012 By Gladys Motlalepula
First of all, I would like to thank you for giving us this platform. I am also an Eclampsia survivor and would like to join an organisation that will help spread awareness of this disease.I'm in Botswana and a new mom to a 3 month old adorable girl, Netaniah Jeslyn Lebogang (Tswana for give thanks to the Lord). My case was quiet severe as I was still pregnant when it occurred.When I reached 36 weeks, my gynecologist removed the McDonalds stitch he had put on me @ 16 weeks. 3 days later, I woke up with this headache I have never experienced b4 in my life. My mother asked me to call my brother to come and take me to the hospital but upon picking up the phone to... Read More
Posted On Saturday, October 06, 2012 By Rama
Dunno where to start from. This was our first baby, and we were both excited and happy. At week 20, the doctor came to say that my OS was incompetent, so he put stitches and I was on complete bed rest. By then I had some swelling in my hands and puffiness of the face (esp nose). Rest all things were normal. Even the thyroid test was normal. At week 26, when I went to the doctor for a routine check, he found my face swollen, but no swelling in my legs and no protein in urine. My BP was 110/80. Baby was doing very well and I could feel every activity in my womb. The doctor just told me to get my BP checked after 2 days. After 2 days my BP went as high as 160/100. So he... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, October 03, 2012 By Jerri Marie
On the morning of August 21, 2012 I woke up at 3am with the worst headache I have ever had in my entire life. I had headaches throughout my pregnancy but this was like no other I had ever experienced. My boyfriend was on nightshift so I laid in bed with a bag of frozen peas on my face until he came home at 9am. I had taken some tylenol but nothing was touching it. He suggested I lay on the couch, relax and wait for my doctors appointment that day, which was at 3.45pm. Feeling absolutly terrible I called my doctor to see if she could get me in sooner because I just wanted to sleep all day. She said no she was booked tight so just wait for my appointment. At about 1030 the headache was so... Read More
Posted On Thursday, September 27, 2012 By Nicole
In December of 2005, I was enormously pregnant and going into my eighth month with our son, Cooper. Things were progressing normally until I was about 32 weeks and got a nasty winter cold. I am your typical Texas allergy sufferer that lives on Claritin 90% of the year and that wasnt working anymore so I switched to the hard stuff - Sudafed. Now anyone with high blood pressure knows that Sudafed is a big no-no and I do now as well. At my doctor appointment that week I sat in the waiting room for what felt like forever. Mentally thinking of all the projects on my desk at work that I needed to wrap up, what we were missing from the nursery and upcoming baby... Read More
Posted On Thursday, September 27, 2012 By Kristen
I had severe edema (swelling) beginning around 32 weeks in my pregnancy. I was sent to radiology to check for clots in my legs. I was so swollen that my shoes didnt fit and the loosest of socks cut off my circulation. The doctor put me on bed-rest at 34 weeks for pregnancy induced hypertension. I was sent to the hospital twice a week at that point for non-stress tests.Bed-rest to me involved staying at home taking care of daily household duties but not necessarily confined to the bed. Throughout that time, however, I was lucky to have Church members bring me meals and took an early maternity leave from school with no planned lessons. Even though I was on bed-rest, I still... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, September 25, 2012 By Loren
My daughter, Summer Lynn was born February 26, 2010. A beautiful red head with bright blue eyes. She is now 2 and a half. Her father and I are blessed by her daily. Her journey getting here was not as blissful. I came to my OB/GYN unaware of the reason behind my frequent headaches and inability to wear my tennis shoes. My OB/GYN told me that I had preeclampsia and must be put on bed rest. For my family at that time this was not anywhere near something we could handle financially. But I did as I was told. After a month of bed rest nothing changed and only became worse ending in ecclampsia. I was induced. After 36 hours of labor I decided to finally get an epidural. The epidural... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, September 19, 2012 By Sibusiso
I discovered I had hypertension when I was pregnant on my first visit to Ob/Gyn, I was already 14 weeks pregnant. Then my blood pressure was 140/90. I knew nothing about blood pressure and pregnancy and I was not on any hypertension medication. Just because I was feeling fine, I just thought everything was okay. As the pregnancy was progressing at 26 weeks my feet suddenly started swelling. A part of me knew something was wrong but on the other hand I was on denial telling myself everything was okay. On the 27th week I went to see the Ob/Gyn and my blood pressure was 160/110. I was admitted to the hospital for bed rest where the baby was being monitored and she was okay, I could feel her... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 By Melissa
Having had type 1 diabetes for 17 years my pregnancy was high risk from the start. Things just seemed to go from bad to worse. At 20 weeks my cervix started shortening, and at 29 weeks I was hospitalized for preterm labor, and then on bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy. Everything was fine and the bed rest was working, I went in on a Friday for my bi weekly non-stress test at 34 weeks, my blood pressure was a bit high so to be on the safe side I took a urine test for protein and came back at +4 which mean I had excessive protein in my urine. The doctor came back to tell me I would deliver that day. I was sent right over to Labor and Delivery and put on pitocin and mag. Well of... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 By Bianca
Written by my husband Justin. August 15, 2012 Original story (with more pictures) here. My mom recently described my wife as the most happy pregnant girl shed ever met. And she was right. For seven months, Bianca... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, September 11, 2012 By Judi
My beautiful angel
Posted On Monday, September 10, 2012 By Lori
Hi my name is Lori. My and I husband tried for months to have a baby. After a couple of pregnancy tests, one came out positive! I couldn't believe it: I took two just to make sure. Then we went to the doctor's and was told that we were having a baby!! We were so happy! My pregnancy was pretty normal, though I did end up having gestational diabetes. In the middle of my pregnancy, I got really bad headaches and started seeing spots, so went to my doctor.. They told me there must be something wrong with my brain for me to go to an eye doctor. So I went... Nothing was wrong. Headaches went away but at times I still saw spots. Months went on; I did have some swelling in my right foot... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, August 21, 2012 By Stephanie
We found out we were pregnant on October 6, 2012, my wedding anniversary. Even with the surprise I was mentally prepared this time. However, I was constantly worried about preeclampsia reoccurring. I was seen in a high risk pregnancy clinic and my doctor was so concerned about the preeclampsia but I was in denial that I would get it again because I felt like I was doing things different. But the truth was I was already at risk since I had it in a previous pregnancy at 23 weeks. When I made my 24th week without any symptoms I felt blessed. Then at 31 weeks pregnant my pressure went up. By the time we got to the hospital it was 181/102. I was rushed through triage. I met with so many... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, August 21, 2012 By Stephanie
Emmalynn was a surprise and honestly I was not mentally prepared to be pregnant. But losing her changed the way I felt. I was 5 months pregnant and i felt sick, pain in my abdomen. My doctor was away on vacation so I decided to go to labor and delivery. As they checked my vitals they were shocked to find my pressure high. This was also the first time I noticed the swelling and the first time I heard the term "preeclampsia." I was rushed to another hospital where they handled high risk pregnancies. I was not prepared what I told next. They said that the baby was weak and she wasnt moving much, that there was a possibility we would need to deliver because my condition was also getting... Read More
Posted On Saturday, August 18, 2012 By Sarah
This story starts out like any other pregnancy story. My husband and I found out we were pregnant on September 13, and found out we were due May 27. We were very excited and nervous of course, like any first time parent would be.I had a very easy 1st and 2nd trimester. No morning sickness, I gained weight normally, I was right on track for my May baby, right up until March 29.On the morning of March 29, I had a serious headache, which headaches are normal for me, so I didnt think anything of it. I came to work like always, and by 11 am couldnt function because of this headache. I took 2 Tylenol and it didnt work, so I went home and took a nap. Normally that... Read More
Posted On Friday, August 10, 2012 By Emily
This is the story of the sweetest little baby boy, the light of my life, and how HELLP stole him away. My soul rejoices that he existed, but my heart aches that he is gone. We found out I was expecting in January, 2012. When I told my husband Joe, he warned me not to get too excited because a lot of things can go wrong early on, but we were both thrilled to finally be starting this new chapter in our lives. When I went to the OB for the first time, they did an ultrasound. At only 10 weeks old, our little baby was moving like crazy in there, growing away. My due date was set for September 1. Our excitement grew as the weeks passed. I felt great during the first trimester no... Read More
Posted On Sunday, August 05, 2012 By Kathryn
My name is Kathryn Ross, and I had a baby girl when I was 19. I carried my daughter very well for almost nine months. I went to my routine doctor appointments with my OBGYN, and took my vitamins daily. I never consumed a drop of alcohol or did any drugs while pregnant. I had the perfect pregnancy. I did not experience morning sickness, never had high blood pressure, and I honestly can say I felt good being pregnant and had a lot of energy at times. I remember my last doctor visit very well. September 9, 2003. I went to the doctor and had my weight, blood pressure, etc. checked, and everything was fine. My due date was September 18, 2003. I remember very well the doctor telling me... Read More
Posted On Friday, August 03, 2012 By sunshine
Hello, My name is Sunshine. I became pregnant with my daughter as a surprise. THE BEST gift ever given to me. Starting at 24 weeks my blood pressure started to increase slowly. My physician being the wonderful doctor that she is, watched me close. At 27 weeks my blood pressure was very elevated. I was eventually put on bedrest at 30 weeks. My doctor wanted to get me as close to 40 weeks as possible. After close monitoring in the hospital and at home my protein was elevated to where she didn't want to risk anymore. I delivered my daughter at 37 weeks after being induced. After 18 hours of labor and 40 minutes of pushing my beautiful daughter arrived and HEALTHY! That was my main concern.... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 26, 2012 By Nancy
Don't let this silent killer kill your dreams! I had it twice!
Posted On Sunday, July 15, 2012 By Amy
I had a great pregnancy. I didn't ever get sick or have any real limitations that stopped me from doing anything. I even helped my husband when we moved into' our second floor' apartment at 8 months along. My back hurt sometimes and I had heartburn real bad to where I ate a lot of tums, but still can't complain. About' 6 to' 7 months into my pregnancy I started having' RUQ pain. I went to the ER about it once and OB triage once. The ER did nothing and triage kept me for about 6 hours, did blood work and sent me home. Then, around 8 months I couldn't sleep or lay on my right side. I was almost paralyzed by the pain if I laid on my right. It hurt so bad. I told the... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, July 03, 2012 By Macee
' ' My husband and I were married March 17, 2011 on the beach on Oahu in Hawaii. After coming home a week later, I started feeling different. Another week went by and I noticed other things: eating more, unusually sore breasts, and fatigue. April 2nd was supposed to be THE day, so when nothing happened, I bought a pregnancy test. I took the test and was prepared to patiently wait the three minutes, but it showed up right away....positive! I thought I was reading it wrong so I reread the instructions two more times before silently freaking out in my head. I quickly took the test, with instructions, to my husband and stuck them in his face. I told him to make sure I... Read More
Posted On Friday, June 29, 2012 By cynthia
My granddaughter Madi Rae Street was born June 30, 2011 and sadly passed on July 2, 2011. She was born 16 weeks early by c-section due to severe preeclampsia. Madi did well at first even though she was only 1 pound 12 oz, and they lowered her oxygen, but her little body couldn't take it and she developed pulmonary embolism.' There was nothing more they could do, so on July 2nd she passed.This saddest day was originally supposed to be a happy day: my youngest son's wedding. Madi's dad, my oldest son, was there with us, along with his daughter Rachel, Madi's sister (who was herself 8 weeks early because of preeclampsia). My daughter-in-law felt my son should be there for his brother... Read More
Posted On Thursday, June 28, 2012 By Eliza
My husband and I were excited to find out we were pregnant with our first child in 2007.' It was not a planned pregnancy but, we were ready to start our family.' My first couple of months during the pregnancy was normal.' I felt good but tired.' I was hungry more often than not but, everything seemed ok.' Shortly after the third month something changed.' I was sick daily.' Most of the time without warning and no control over vomiting.' I constantly felt like something was wrong with the pregnancy.' Being that it was my first time I had no idea what but, I found myself in the office of our midwife almost weekly.' They would check the... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, June 20, 2012 By Britani
Has anyone loss a baby @ 22-23 weeks and was able to have a healthy baby after that? I just loss my son @ 22 weeks and I want to try again.
Posted On Thursday, May 24, 2012 By Natalie
Hello I'm Natalie, I'm 22 years old and I had my first child three months ago. A healthy bouncing baby boy who weighed in at 5lbs 11oz on March 1st 2012. I was going to my doctor visit like normal had a healthy bill every time... One visit around 30 weeks I had my b/p go up and they ordered me to do a twenty-four hour urine test. I called for the results and they came back perfect--no problems; no red flags. Next couple of visits my b/p read normal. I complained of swelling but my doctor wrote it off; never looked at my legs or feet. Go back on the 37 week visit and my b/p was back up again. So another urine test was taken... The results differed from last but they saw no red... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 17, 2012 By Ashley
I' wrote about my experience with HELLP syndrome in my blog.' I hope that you will read it and find comfort in knowing that you are not alone.' I am very much interested in raising awareneses about this terrible illness so please feel free to contact me. Sending you all mothers of Angels a big hug.
Posted On Wednesday, May 09, 2012 By Cathy
Posted On Monday, May 07, 2012 By kelly
Before my case I hadn't even heard of HELLP syndrome, and I didn't know much about pre-eclampsia. Since developing HELLP and giving birth at 16 weeks I have started to raise as much awareness about the condition as I can. I have created a Facebook page (hellpsyndromeangels) and posted on the pregnancy and baby forums to warn others of what happened to me, and the signs and symptoms to look for. It seems the majority of people are like I was and have never heard of it let a lone know what to look out for. ' NHS UK state on their website that HELLP and pre-eclampsia can't happen until at least week 20 of pregnancy, I am proof this isn't true and I've written to the chief executive... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 02, 2012 By nicola
My daughter was 30 weeks into her pregnancy when she started to show more serious signs of preeclampsia. She had been getting headaches, and had been uncomfortable throughout the pregnancy, but at 30wks her vision become blurry and her speech was affected and her hands where tingling. I took her to hospital, she spent several days there, and they said it wasn't dangerous levels, it was borderline, that her labour would probably be easier; all nice calming words. I was aware that preeclampsia was dangerous to both mother and baby, but thought they must know what they are doing and didn't want to panic her. ' Unfortunately after they sent her home and at 32 weeks, Tara was still... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 30, 2012 By Kaylee
April 10th of this year I was 21+7 weeks pregnant with my second son when I delivered and found out I had developed HELLP for the second time. I had another emergency c section and had to get put to sleep because my platelets were to low to stay awake. My son was born 8 ounces and was so precious and tiny. He had no chance because he was too little. My whole pregnancy was perfect and I was excited because every time I went to my doctors appointments, I was always great with protein and blood pressures. One thing they always told me though was that I was extremely dehydrated, they told me that wouldn't affect anything. I had a docs appointment a week before I delivered and I was... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 30, 2012 By Kaylee
In September of 2009, I had my first son via emergency c-section at 26 weeks. He weighed 1lb 5 oz. He was IUGR. I had developed severe preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. I had new doctors and a new hospital this time compared to my first pregnancy. They did not have me on any medications just my prenatals. My symptoms were very different compared to my 1st pregnancy. I had no swelling, no headaches. Just abdomen pain that had gotten severe and the pain moved to my back. It started at 25 weeks. I thought I was just having indigestion but when I went to L&D I found out that I developed HELLP syndrome. My blood pressure was very high so I also had preeclampsia. They wanted to deliver my... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 30, 2012 By Kaylee
In September 2008 I had my daughter via emergency c section at 26 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. She weighed 1 lb 9 oz. Her first month of her life was spent in the local hospital and she became severely sick from NEC and was transferred to a children's hospital an hour away where she spent the remainder of her NICU stay for 3 months. She is now 3 years old and is healthy as can be. I am so thankful that she is. It all started around 24 weeks when I was becoming swelled up in my face and ankles, but with it being my first pregnancy I thought it was normal. Then I started to get headaches that were becoming so bad. I went to L&D at 25 weeks and was admitted for 5 days because of my... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 30, 2012 By Danielle
' My name is Danielle Q. I'll be 23 in 2 months and this is the story of my very first and only pregnancy. My fiancee James and I had a perfect pregnancy up until about 20 weeks. The day we had our first big ultrasound was going to be the most amazing life-changing day of our lives. That was the day we found out if we were having a boy or a girl. I've never been more excited for anything than I was for this! We were pretty sure it was going to be a girl. James... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 18, 2012 By Lisa Hollister
I am the mom of a survivor of preeclampsia/eclampsia. My 18 year old daughter came to live with me after having numbness on her right side, weight gain, swelling, "sharp" headaches, confusion and blurred vision. She was 28 weeks (7 months) pregnant. She was told by the small town doctor after staying a night in the hospital and going to her clinic for follow up that she suffered from high cholesterol and migraines, she was 23 weeks pregnant at this point. She had been with me for about a week when one night she said she didn't feel right. She had been having bad headaches over the past few days and was retaining a lot of water. We had planned... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 11, 2012 By Bethany
All my husband can talk about is us having a son. He wants a son that he can watch growing up playing baseball, football, being a tough little cookie... a son that can remind him of him as a little boy growing up. A son to carry on the family name. However, despite me being pregnant 4 times before, we've had all girls. One is deceased. Out of the 4 pregnancies 2 of them I had preeclampsia. And because of that, I'm terrified to try one more time for a boy. There's a part of me that gets excited about possibly becoming pregnant and having a new baby - the possibility of maybe finally having a son is exciting. Of course if we ended up with another girl, we'd love her just like we... Read More
Posted On Thursday, March 22, 2012 By Sujata
My sister in Nepal is in her 27th week of pregnancy. 7-8 days ago she suffered bleeding. Doctor identified 3.4cm rupture of her placenta and advised complete bed rest at the hospital. Her blood pressure began to shoot up to 150/100. Urine test showed protein. Two days ago she was administered medicine for BP. Today BP has reached 120/80. However the placenta rupture has increased to 6.1cm and the amniotic fluid has decreased as of today. The doctors attending to her say that this is a very serious stage for the mother and the baby. Doctors suggest terminating the baby. I was wondering if anyone has any advice regarding her condition and the course of action she should... Read More
Posted On Friday, March 09, 2012 By nursemommy
Family photo.
Posted On Thursday, March 08, 2012 By Sarah
During my pregnancy, every test, check-up and ultrasound looked normal.' My doctor gave me permission on Dec. 20th to drive to North Carolina (from Ohio) so I could be there for my husband's return from deployment.' After spending 7 months of pregnancy without him, I was determined to make the trip.' During my pregnancy, I experienced some back pain and swelling but was told this was normal, especially for the third trimester, so I didn't think much when on Christmas day my feet were very swollen.' (I thought it was from the salty foods from previous day).' I continued on my trip to Camp Lejeune, and was able to see my husband return from deployment.' While still... Read More
Posted On Thursday, March 08, 2012 By TaMyra
This is my story of survival. This is also my daughter's story of survival. At 22 weeks, I noticed my feet were extremely swollen, and I could barely breathe. I thought it was' just normal pregnancy symptoms, until the doctor said my' BP was 170/11!!' I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 23 weeks. It was way too early to have my baby. We were given steroids immediately for her lungs, in case an emergency C-Section was needed. I was also given Magnesium sulfate, so I wouldn't seize. This medicine made me feel like I was dying.' I was put on bed rest and admitted to the hospital. I watched myself gain 5... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, March 06, 2012 By Destanee
Dark Saturday December 11, 2010, I had a really bad headache... stronger than the others. I didn't have headaches throughout my pregnancy however for the past 3 days I was having them. But I shrugged it off since I called my OB's office and one of the nurses said it was "Flu Symptoms." Me and my fiance Steve were at his family party and I sat there feeling fine for the first 5 minutes then all of a sudden I got a migraine and felt really weak. All I had to do was give him a look and we were out the door. I then called my mother and asked her what I should take to get rid of this and luckily she was with my aunt (a nurse) and knew that it was because my... Read More
Posted On Monday, March 05, 2012 By Anne-Mari
' Six days after delivering my second child I awoke to my heart pounding out of my chest and throat, I felt like death, couldnt breathe, and my right leg was extremely swollen. I assumed the swelling was normal reaction to all the IV fluids from delivery and I was having an anxiety attack from the past months events, but the ER doctor told me a different more frightening story. Rewind to May... Read More
Posted On Sunday, March 04, 2012 By Jessica
To begin the story of my journey, I was 26 years old, happily married to the love of my life, and pregnant with our first baby. The pregnancy was a pleasant surprise, and from the very beginning we were adamant about taking great care for our new arrival. I would take a handful of vitamins everyday, as well as exercise and eat healthy to make sure our little one was getting all the things he needed. We read books, planned, and I even kept a daily journal of my pregnancy as a keepsake for his future. My pregnancy was progressing beautifully, and I was lucky to have a very smooth pregnancy- I didnt even have a single day of morning sickness!When I was 20 weeks pregnant, on... Read More
Posted On Saturday, February 25, 2012 By Kimberly
I got pregnant with my first son Ryan and got married at the age of 18.' I had one complication while pregnant with him, and that was I could not stop eating.' I ate everything I saw and well it showed because I gained almost 75lbs with him.' Besides that self-inflicted mishap with Ryan I had nothing wrong in that pregnancy. My beautiful 10 lb, 3 oz baby boy was born October 4, 1996.' ' After a while of being married and having a new baby so young my then husband decided I was not the one for him, I enlisted in the Navy and off to the Gulf right after boot camp.' ' I met people went all over the world fell in and out of love and never remarried or had any other... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 22, 2012 By Leanne
and ironically only 9 week before the due date of the next baby here is.
Posted On Friday, February 03, 2012 By Shawn
When I conceived Ava and Noah via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) at 40 years old I was taking a low dose of high blood pressure medication.' I was never warned about preeclampsia and had no idea that 1 in 3 women carrying multiples develop preeclampsia.' I was so desperate to have a baby after three very long years of trying to conceive that transferring two blastocysts seemed like the right thing to do. At 18 weeks I was put on bed rest after a trip to the emergency room when my blood pressure spiked.' I remained on bed rest until I was admitted into the hospital at 24 weeks and 5 days for severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.' When I was admitted into the... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 02, 2012 By laetitia
As the title mention, I plan a 2nd pregnancy soon. I'm foreign and looking for somebody in a similar case near my area (DC-MD area) to share experience and interesting, useful and helpful information.
All the Best.
Posted On Wednesday, February 01, 2012 By Raphaela
Tomorrow (2nd Feb 2012) would have been the happiest day of my life. It would have been the birth of my first baby, my baby girl. Instead of tears of' joy there would be tears of sadness. Why did she have to go?????? Leaving me and daddy all alone... what have I done wrong to deserve this? My story was a happy love story. I met my boyfriend 8 years ago, fell in love and after all those time together, we decided to try for a baby. After 4months of trying I was pregnant for the first time. What a joyful moment it was. Everything was ok during the first trimester apart from the vomiting. During my second trimester, I noticed that my feet, hand, face and nose was getting bigger... Read More
Posted On Monday, January 30, 2012 By Jill
Within 6 months of our wedding day in October 2003, my husband Jeff and I unexpectedly found out we were pregnant. Like all happily expecting, first-time parents, our trepidation grew into excitement and joy as my belly grew and both of us devoured What to Expect When You Are Expecting.We found out in May that I was pregnant and spent the summer debating which of the NYC borough names would be most appropriate for our offspring. . . you see, I had decided long ago that I would name my children after my favorite city and we had nailed down the name if the child were to be a boy. Fletcher Manhattan. But there was still a bit of a debate going on for the potential girls... Read More
Posted On Saturday, January 28, 2012 By jackie
I am a survivor!!' ' I was pregnant in my 7th month and was told by an OB DR, "Welcome to pregnancy!" when i informed her about my swelling. My BP and urine samples were all normal that week. With in the next couple days I started getting abdominal pain, and thinking it was just from constipation, so I took some powder and waited for it to kick in for 3 days. The pain just got worse and started to affect my breathing. Finally, Christmas morning came around and my husband and I got up and ran to the only open CVS 30 min away and got some milk of magnesia. We got home and I took it, then immediately threw it up. I thought it just didn't mix with the juice I drank with it. I took... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 27, 2012 By melissa
I' have two daughters, Mia is 4 1/2 and Lyla is almost 14 months.' I got sick during about my 5th month with Lyla.' Terrible nose bleeds, back pain, low weight gain, blurry vision....Constantly going to my doctors saying something was wrong but being ignored...at 31 weeks I went into my doctor for a check-up and was told they were checking me into the hospital....Lyla was showing like a 27 week old and I had a lot of protein in my urine.' ' That night they told me that they would give me something to help my body get ready to deliver the following morning....Cervidil was given to me and it caused me to start having contraction.' They took the cervidil out and this... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 27, 2012 By Jasmine
After several years of trying to get pregnant, my husband and I were finally going to be parents. I found out in January 2010 that I was expecting. It was the most amazing feeling ever. Other than sleeping through most of the first trimester, my pregnancy was perfect and I was glowing.It was the week after my baby shower in July 2010 when my body became very swollen. I immediately made an appointment with my obstetrician, who after routine tests, told me that I was suffering from preeclampsia. My blood pressure was too high and I had a significant amount of protein in my urine. My perfect pregnancy had shifted to a high risk one. However, I was told that it was manageable. I... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 27, 2012 By Nicky
It all started with another kidney infection... The second one in a month. It was the morning of Old Years Eve. I tried to phone my gynaes rooms to see if they might possibly be in but, they were not there. But they had a voicemail on their phone and it said if there are any emergencies or problems to go to the labour ward at the hospital and they will be able to help you.Off we went to the Labour wardtold them what had happened and told them the previous evening I also had a few drops of pure clean blood after I went to the bathroom. They told me to give them a urine sample and told me to lie on the bed. They took my blood pressure and said that it seemed a bit high. But I... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 20, 2012 By jennifer
Every womans road to being a mother is different, none is easy. Mine starts at a young age, when my greatest concern was the love of my boyfriend (bf then, soon-to-be my husband). The last thing I wanted to do was have children, I saw motherhood as a thankless job, and I really wasnt interested at working at any job especially a thankless one. But as fate would have it, in my first year of college when my worldview dictated that humanity was not only depraved & worthless but hopeless to boot - it was no longer just me I had to be consumed with worry about on this doomed planet, but a tiny infant too.' Being the card-carrying member of NOW & NARAL that I was at the time, I... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 20, 2012 By Lauren
On Tues. Oct.19, I measured small for the second week in a row. With a history of pre-e that can be alarming. They sent me for an ultrasound that showed the baby at 5 pounds 5 ounces. At 37 weeks that put her in the 7th percentile. So we went to the hospital for an NST and lab work. I was sent home and told to return the next day for results. They ran another NST. My BP's were coming in slightly high but nothing alarming. They told me I was fine and sent me on my way. My next appointment was Tues Oct. 26 baby was still measuring 2-3 weeks behind. They decided to talk induction. They kept bringing up the fact that I had pre-e. I was extremely confused b/c the week before I was told I was... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 20, 2012 By Lauren
' On Feb. 24 (my birthday) I stayed up all night getting things together because I knew in my heart that something was happening the next day. I finally made it to bed around 5:30 the next morning.On Feb. 25 I was awoken at 10:00 to my midwife telling me I only had a few hours to get things together I was being induced that day due to my high BP and high protein levels (over a 4000). I called my husband at work and he came home as soon as he could (well after he found his keys that the guy at work thought would be funny to hide). We arrived at the hospital and they hooked me up to half a dozen monitors and began round 1 of Cervadil. The first round of... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 06, 2012 By Tanalee
Preeclampsia and HELLP changed our lives.
Posted On Monday, January 02, 2012 By Karey
At the dawning of each new year since 1993, I find myself reflecting on that year and the circumstances leading up to it and the achievements since. I've written about it numerous times as I do now. I have so much to be grateful for and it all began somewhere around New Years Eve 1992. I was invited to a New Years Eve party that night and declined at the last minute as I wasn't feeling well and was just over 30 weeks pregnant. The first 3 months of 1993 are a blur. The facts (some are remembered, others have been told to me): As the morning of January 4th dawned, convinced I had the flu, I called in sick to work. (I worked for my Ob/Gyn, thank God, so he called to check on... Read More
Posted On Thursday, December 22, 2011 By Jesse
After trying for a year in total and having a miscarriage at 3 months along, my husband and I rejoiced to find we were again pregnant! At 15 weeks I had awfully painful cramping and rushed to my doctor, a ultrasound showed a low lying placenta, causing me pain. I soon quit my job as a cleaner and stayed at home mostly and trained horses on the side (without any more physical activity then walking, no lifting, riding etc.). This helped keep the cramping to a minimum and my 20 week ultrasound showed a lifted placenta and I had no more pain. Yeah God had healed this! I had a perfect pregnancy until around the 8th month or so. My legs begun to swell, and my blood pressure... Read More
Posted On Friday, December 16, 2011 By Lucy
Without you I feel so Empty, Cheated, Robbed,¯»¿ Broken. Without you even in my happy moments are ruined because I feel your absence, and hate myself for having to going on without you. I would have given my life to spare your Mommy and Daddy this pain.
Grandma Loves and Misses you so very much now and for the rest of my life..
If you are reading this PLEASE go to www.youtube.com search and view' 444SJC' or The Story of Scottie Jordan Cartagena, and share with as many people as possible; if we're lucky perhaps we could prevent at least one family from suffering this unimaginable loss.
Posted On Thursday, December 15, 2011 By kimaiya
Where do I start, it's been almost 7 years and still seems like yesterday that this "song" was forever engraved in my mind and heart! I told myself that I would keep this to myself, it's much easier that way, or so I thought, but i've been inspired, oh yes inspired, and I'm gonna share my story, as sad as it may seem to some, it has a happy ending, a blessing that came my way on October 25th, 2004 and a miracle that appeared itself, or should I say herself on December 30th, 2009! You see, the saying "time heals all wounds" holds true, and sometimes it takes witnessing the struggle of another person and the way they overcome to inspire you, and yes i've been inspired!! So here it... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, November 29, 2011 By Lucy
This is my Story, I have lost my 1st Grandson (Scottie Jordan Cartagena) and my Faith and don't know how I could ever get it back nor do I know if I even want it back.April 2011; The 1st thing that came to my mind when I heard I was going to be Grandma for the 2nd time was, how could I love another as much as I love my Layla, and then when I saw my grandson's sonogram picture for the 1st time, I knew; it just happens. How could one heart hold so much love?October 5 2011; I planned my Grandson's funeral. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. The last time I came close to this kind of lost and pain was when I had to plan his grandfather's funeral which... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, November 23, 2011 By Melita
My fiancĩ and I were very surprised the day we found out we were pregnant, and scared of the prospect of becoming parents... but once the initial shock wore off, we were also very excited about how our lives together would change. I had the dream pregnancy.' I had mild morning sickness to 12 weeks which caused me to drop a few kilos before I began to gain and then my weight gain was very minimal and I was constantly being told how small I was looking which at the time I was very proud of but now I know it probably wasnt a good thing.' I lived in the country and worked for a city company so I was constantly on the road travellng to and from the city tying it in with doctors... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 17, 2011 By Elaine
I'm Elaine, 27, and I experienced pre-eclampsia during the birth of my son Bradley, who is now 6. I was overdue and was getting a stiff neck. The midwife came out and said that my blood pressure was very, very high so I got rushed in to the hospital and the next minute I was tied to a hospital bed with 5 drips and blood pressure machine and was told I had 50/50 chance of surviving the birth. I had an emergency c-section and my son was delivered safely, weighing 8 pound 11. He was a big boy. I was then told I was very lucky.
Posted On Tuesday, October 18, 2011 By Gina
Posted On Tuesday, October 18, 2011 By Meredith
I am the mother of five but I only get to kiss two of my children goodnight so far.' I have two boys, Thomas and Henry, and two daughters, Bridget and Elsie.' I also have another little boy on the way.' Thomas is six, plays t-ball, gymnastics and thinks Justin Beiber is cool.' Henry is three, adores his big brother, loves Mickey Mouse and is becoming such a little boy, no more toddler.' Bridget and Elsie died an hour after they were both born. They should be nearly four years old.It was my second pregnancy and we were shocked with spontaneous twins.' Once the surprise wore off, we adjusted to the idea and to the never-ending question: "Do twins run... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 18, 2011 By crystal
Me and my boyfriend tried to get pregnant for over a year, and when it finally happened we were so excited. I was so happy: all that was wrong was the normal things, nausea, vomiting, and eating. When I was 20 weeks along, we found out we were having a boy who we would name Larry Lewis Rich Jr. At 26 weeks, I found out that I had mild preeclampsia. I was scared, but the doctor said I shouldn't be worried because it was just mild and I would be ok. Well I was really sick and my feet were way too big to fit in any of my shoes. I started to get stretch marks on my legs because of how swollen they had gotten. So the doctor did a 24-hour urine; well no one got a hold of me, so I... Read More
Posted On Monday, October 17, 2011 By Shawn
Hi, my name is Shawn and this is my three year journey on trying to have a child which so far involves miscarriage, fertility issues, severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, death and surrogacy.I keep telling myself there has to be a reason that Ive gone through everything I have.' Am I supposed to learn a lesson or am I supposed to share my journey and struggles with others that have had similar situations.' Im not sure that Ill ever know, but I do know that for me this is what I need to do to keep the memory of my beautiful twins Ava and Noah alive.' I have to think I have not gone through all this pain in vain, so I write. Ava and Noah were born... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, October 11, 2011 By Amy
Many people develop pre-eclampsia in their 1st pregnancy, but that wasn't the case with me. Other than terrible nausea, I had very healthy pregnancies for my first two. Pregnancy #3 came along and I had gestational diabetes around 18 weeks. I followed a very strict diet and did not need insulin. At week 33, my blood pressure jumped. I took a 24-hour urine and the protein level was around 60. I took another 24-hour urine the next week, it was up to 300+ (now officially pre-eclampsia). At week 35, the protein jumped to 1600. I was swelling pretty badly, which is new for me - I did not swell even a little with my previous two. Early 36 weeks, because of the persistent headache and... Read More
Posted On Sunday, October 09, 2011 By Lisa
My husband took me back to UCLA (where I was in intensive care for weeks) and walking the halls was odd. The nursing staff would first see my husband and smile and then their gaze would land on me and they would stand stock still, stare with a shocked expression. ' It was as if I were Lazarus come back from the grave and they could not believe their eyes. It made me feel so strange. ' For weeks afterwards I told my husband, "I feel like they are family that I left behind and I need to bring them out." ' He said, "No honey, it's their job to be there. They want to be there." ' But I had a hard time believing him (with my emotions. ' I understood it conceptually but... Read More
Posted On Thursday, October 06, 2011 By Janel
After surviving a very traumatic first pregnancy with a nightmare delivery (30 hours of magnesium-induced hell, ending in an emergency c-section) and even more debilitating recovery, one would think I was DONE having children. Let's be honest, preeclampsia tends to put a damper on a mother's hopes for carrying other children! The health risks mean that many of us in the preeclampsia community state "one and done" with certainty that it is the correct choice for our own health and... Read More
Posted On Saturday, September 24, 2011 By Lisa
I lost three naturally conceived pregnancies and did many failed fertility attempts before deciding to move on to DE IVF (at the advice of several REs). ' However, at the advice of a therapist whose help I sought to deal with the grief I also had immunological and clotting tests run and I came up positive for APA with elevated NK count. ' My RE said I should move on to DE and if I got pregnant I should take low dose prednizone during the first trimester and inject lovenox, a blood thinner, for the duration of the pregnancy. ' I did both with my pregnancy, achieved with the help of an egg donor (first two possible donor cycles cancelled due to problems with the donors' health... Read More
Posted On Thursday, September 01, 2011 By Amy
I had our son when I was at 35 weeks. ' I had a sudden onset of preeclampsia. ' He was born by emergency c-section and spent 3 weeks in the NICU. ' Besides being small and having some respiratory distress he was very healthy and has and is a very active child. ' We just found out we're pregnant with our 2nd child!
Posted On Wednesday, August 31, 2011 By Ellery
God saved me as 19 years of age. I am sharing this testimony with you first, because if it hadn't been for God's divine intervention in my life, I wouldn't have made it through this traumatic event. I was raised in being told about God from my mom and grandparents, but I come from a very broken household. My parents divorced when I was 12. My dad was an alcholic and was imprisioned for DUI manslaughter for 10 years. Every day I woke up wondering what was the purpose for my life, why was I created? I struggled with feelings of depression and lonliness and tried to supress it with drugs, sex and friends. An addiction to cocanie eventually lead to a nealy fatal over-dose. After that, I... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 24, 2011 By Kristina
My husband and I had tried for almost 3 years to get pregnant.' I had given up all hope when one day in January of 2006 my period was late and I decided to take a pregnancy test.' The first one I took didn't look like it was changing after I stared at it for 30 seconds, so I just tossed it in the trash.' Later that day while I was using the bathroom I happened to look in the trash can and noticed that there were two lines on the stick.' Not just one. The next morning I took another test, then took a shower.' When I got out I looked at the stick and noticed that there again were two lines!' I was so happy!' But I had to go to work, so when I got to work... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, August 16, 2011 By Busisiwe
All the stories Ive read have a happy ending.... In 2002 I met my future husband, JB, funny, loving, kind and honest. I fell pregnant in April 2003 at a grand age of 24 - never ever having been on any contraceptive. I was more scared of having disappointed my parents than at actually being pregnant- I loved it - I wanted the baby!!! Naively, we thought all would go well, all we had to do was wait 9 months, and hooray we are parents. Though unprepared, we went on to prepare for the new arrival, attended antenatal clinics and all. But at 20 weeks, while at work, I felt excruciating lower abdominal pains, called the ambulance and was taken to hospital and unfortunately I... Read More
Posted On Friday, August 12, 2011 By Girlie
On October 2010, I was so happy when I found out that I was pregnant with my first child. It was so easy for me because I didnt experience things' other women did, like morning sickness or nausea and other uncomfortable situation that a pregnant woman always encounters.' Before that, I dont have any medical history that need attention or can cause problem with my pregnancy. I go to my OB regularly for my prenatal and had all the laboratory test done and happy to say that it all went right and they dont see any problem with me and my baby.' So I thought I was so lucky to have normal pregnancy. We were so happy waiting for the baby to come out, especially when we found out... Read More
Posted On Monday, August 08, 2011 By julie
I just delivered my son, via a second c-section, a month ago.My daughter's birth almost 2 years ago was not a smooth process.' I endured a 36-hour labor of pitocin, getting an epidural after my water broke.' I stalled at 5 centimeters and had to be delivered via c-section.' I had my baby girl on 10/24/09 and she was 10 lbs. 8 oz.' I was not diabetic. The recovery was painful, and I was swollen like a grape.' My eyes were so puffy.' My toes were spread out on my feet and I couldn't bend them because my feet had swelled to much.' But despite this, my blood pressure only started to rise slightly on my last day in the hospital, and it was still... Read More
Posted On Thursday, August 04, 2011 By Lisa
I didn't get pre-eclampsia, instead moved rapidly from eclampsia into full-blown HELLP that gave me a stroke, ruptured my liver, and put me in a three-week-long coma from which the doctors were not certain I'd emerge. I was blessed with world-class medical care, completely paid for by my Union-provided medical insurance.' I also had amazing friends and family who helped care for our infant daughter, so that my husband could be with me every step of the way, advocating on my behalf.' Now, more than a year later, I am finally finishing up cognitive therapy and re-testing to qualify for my driver's license again. I am blessed because my daughter and I both survived (she was... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, August 03, 2011 By Elizabeth
I remember how excited we were when we first found out I was pregnant. It was November 8, 2010. I had taken a pregnancy test by myself because I wanted to surprise my husband with the news. After taking the test I was ecstatic and went to the store where I found a bib that said "Daddys hugs are the best." My husband gives the best hugs so I thought this was perfect. I wrapped the bib and went home.... Read More
Posted On Monday, July 18, 2011 By flora
After the birth of my' son in 2001, it was now 5 years having a Norplant and I felt that it was now was good time to try and have another baby so' I had Norplant removed. I' immediately conceived in 2006 and so' I thought it would be a similar to my first pregnancy which was smooth with the usual morning sickness. I attended antenatal clinic at private hospital where they had a package which was cheaper, I thought than having a private doctor. At about 5 months in the pregnancy I started swelling all over my body but I didn't think it was anything I just thought it was just normal pregnancy weight.' During my regular clinic from the... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 07, 2011 By winter
I got pregnant when I was 19 years old. I had a perfect pregnancy, until one day i woke up and couldn't recognize myself. I went outside for fresh air and put my feet down and they wre so swollen my toes didn't touch the ground. My next doctor's appointment was 3 weeks away. When I went in for my monthly checkup, they did all the usual tests and did not say a word, just looked at me as if they wanted to say they were sorry and that they knew what was laying ahead for me. When my nurse practitioner came in she rechecked my urine and bp, then gave me a prescription and told me to take it with me to labor and delivery along with my test results. i was sent home about 8 hours... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, July 05, 2011 By Kristen
Like many of those involved with the Preeclampsia Foundation, Kristen Simmons has a unique story of survival, but Simmons' case included a very unusual complication. In July 2009, Simmons developed severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome shortly before the birth of her daughter Sydney. Sydney was born not breathing, but was successfully resuscitated, while her mother bleed internally, going into multi-organ failure. Simmons ended up needing a liver transplant only days after giving birth and was transferred from her home state of New York to a high risk facility in Pittsburgh, where she was placed in a medically-induced coma for weeks. "Life had changed so drastically it was very... Read More
Posted On Sunday, June 26, 2011 By Ashley
My pregnancy was nearly perfect. I felt better than I had my entire adult life.' I didn't have any morning sickness, I avoided many of the typical pregnancy complaints. I absolutely loved being pregnant.' Then at 36 weeks I went to my OB told me I was measuring big and sent me for a follow up ultrasound at the hospital.' I was 36 weeks 4 days.' I arrived at the hospital nervous, but not too concerned after all I felt fine and baby seemed to be doing well.' Thankfully my husband was by my side.' There had been a debate on whether he should take more time off work for another appointment.' I was happy we would get to see baby one more time before he was... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, June 22, 2011 By Eleni
Written April 2002: On March 23, 1998, the EMTs from the ambulance wheeled me into one of the labor & delivery rooms and were preparing to transfer me to the bed when the waiting perinatalogist on call snapped at them to leave me alone: "We don't have time for that!" The ultrasound machine was waiting and the doctor checked my pregnant belly, and then looked at my husband and me, "I'm sorry," he said. "It's too late." In confusion, desperation and amidst the spreading fog of semi-consciousness, I begged him, "Can't you do an emergency c-section and save the baby? Can't you do something? There must be some mistake!"... Read More
Posted On Friday, June 10, 2011 By adelphean
My second pregnancy was uncomfortable from the start, but by 16 weeks my OB had me monitoring my blood pressure and going to an internist for medication.' Both she and the internist I saw for blood pressure medication told me that I had chronic high blood pressure that had only been detected because of the pregnancy and additional monitoring.' However, I had never had high blood pressure at all prior to the pregnancy. I also had not had the intense and days-long headaches I was experiencing.' They were written off as hormones or maybe the blood pressure and I was told that they would lessen once my body got used to the Aldomet I had been prescribed. The summer... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, June 08, 2011 By megan
' I lost my baby Gabriel on April 9th, 2011. I went to the hospital vomiting and with pain in my upper right abdomen, and my doctor told me it was trapped gas and sent me home.' Three days later I was in so much pain I went back to the hospital, and my liver was failing, my platelet count was down to 7,000.' I ended up being transferred to another hospital and they had to deliver my precious angel.' I was only 22 weeks.' My baby boy only weighed 7 oz. and 9 inches long.' This is by far the hardest thing I have ever gone through. I really don't know how to cope.' The hardest part was telling my eight-year-old twins that their baby brother was gone to heaven with... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, June 08, 2011 By Shell
This morning, I was walking my children down the driveway for their very last day of the school year. My son went to the mailbox and handed me a stack of envelopes. On the very top was the newsletter for the Preeclampsia foundation. I had wondered at first if it were only a coinincidence, perhaps this newsletter was sent to all women, or perhaps I was meant to receive it today. Because only moments before my son handed me the mail, I looked at my little girl, proud, that today would be her last day of Kindergarten, and I looked up to the sky with a grateful smile, because I remember the very day I almost lost her. On October 22, 2005, I was rushed to the hospital in the back of... Read More
Posted On Monday, June 06, 2011 By Todd
I generally like telling horror stories, but this one is hard to tell.' I always end up trying to reassure people that what happened at the end of my wife's second pregnancy is very rare, but then I have to admit that I have met many women who suffered from preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome.' So it's not so uncommon.' And worse, it seems inexplicable. My wife was seven months pregnant with our second child and it was the week after we had thrown her a baby shower and a few days after another favorable doctor's visit.' She told me she felt like she was catching a cold or something, and she went to bed saying she was ready for this pregnancy to hurry up and be... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 30, 2011 By lauren
My boyfriend Ryan and I were already going though a hard time, with him losing his job and then trying to find a new place to live, when I found out I got pregnant on birth control. But none the less we started preparing for this new bundle that was coming.. At 5'6 and 115 pounds, my weight slowly increased, and by the time I was 5 months, I had only gained about 8 pounds. Nobody knew I was pregnant, and I didn't feel pregnant either. No morning sickness, tiredness or any problems, so I planned... Read More
Posted On Saturday, May 28, 2011 By Lisa
' Please feel free to share this link with every pregnant women you know, every women who is trying to get pregnant so they know to tell their doctor... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 26, 2011 By erica
Well I'm one of the lucky ones.' I was able to hold my 1 pound baby, with the life saving cords, and breathing machines attached to him.' I was able to watch him grow and breath in life and turn out to be an amazing 8 year old boy with no medical problems... I was one of the lucky ones!!' On May 25, 2003, we didn't feel very lucky.' After spending 3 days in the hospital with severe preeclampsia, pain began to creep up my back and I began to throw up.' Little did we know that after several hours of these symptoms, I would be screaming "take the baby!"' The pain became so unbearable and I couldn't breathe, I just needed relief.' With a blur or doctors and nurses... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 25, 2011 By Kyisha
This is my fourth baby, so you would think I have this down by now. I have been having some odd symptoms that I am not sure what is the cause. Someone recommended that I look up pre-eclampsia. What has been happening: A month ago (24 weeks pregnant) I was having cramping and pain in my belly. When I went to be checked out the doctor said I had white blood cells and protein in my urine and that I should take antibiotics because I had a UTI. Turns out that the test for an infection came back negative. Fast-forward to a month later (29 weeks and 4 days pregnant) I began having the same pains only worse. So I went to be checked again. The doctor seemed extremely rushed and... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, May 24, 2011 By S.
It's been a little over 6 months since I had an emergency c-section to deliver my baby and halt my eclamptic seizures. I learnt I was pregnant back in April of 2010, when I was 32. My husband and I had pretty much decided we did not want to have a child, so the news was unexpected, but nevertheless welcome. My pregnancy started off with nausea, some actual vomiting, and a lot of gagging. Alas, it never went away. I was nauseated pretty much 24/7 and for all 34 weeks of my pregnancy. During the first trimester I was miserable enough that my work suffered and I got a prescription for it although I never did take the medication. I had one decent month during my second trimester when the... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 19, 2011 By sasha
Preeclampsia: A True Story by Sasha Frasier on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 11:19pm In honor of May being' Preeclampsia Awareness month, I would like to share my story,' Sierra's story.' I' encourage any other women who have experienced this often' overlooked and' underdiagnosed condition, to speak up... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 18, 2011 By Kristy
May 20, 2011 would have our Coopers First Birthday.' ' My pregnancy with his older brother Davis could not have been more perfect.' No swelling at all, my BP actually decreased 10 points during pregnancy, went two days past my due date before I was induced because Davis was on the large side.' ' So naturally I was expecting the same with Coopers pregnancy two years later.' ' From the beginning, Coopers pregnancy was harder for me.' ' On April 30, I had a monthly checkup.' One ankle had just swollen up which I thought was odd and I even talked with the doctor about my BP readings being higher than they were with Daviss pregnancy.' The doctor... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 16, 2011 By Nadene
My husband and I have been together for about 9 years.' We started dating when he was 18 and I was 19.' I was always skeptical about young couples since we both were at an age that we would be doing a lot of growing and changing so we never even mentioned marriage until we were together for several years.' We finally got married 09/11/10, after being together for over 8 years.' After we got married, since I was turning 28 just a few short months after the wedding, we agreed we would stop using all forms of contraceptives.' We both really wanted children very badly.' On 01/06/11 I got a positive test, and a blood test from the doctor showed we were indeed pregnant... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 16, 2011 By Beth
My husband, Steve, and I had dreamt of a large family for many years before we decided we were ready for our first child. Things were rocky from the beginning with fears of infertility due to endometriosis. Despite these concerns, I became pregnant very quickly, though trouble continued to come our way. 2 days after learning I was pregnant, I started having signs of a miscarriage. I was taken in for an ultrasound and told that the baby that should have been visible by now was not there, in other words, there was an empty gestational sac. I was supposed to be 7 weeks pregnant at this time and the OB assured me that "something" should have been seen. He sent me home and told me to come... Read More
Posted On Saturday, May 14, 2011 By siti
Hi, my name is Siti Sumarti from Jakarta,' I got preeclampsia on my 1st child. Lucky me,' I can birthing with normal on 41 weeks,' I hv high protein on my ' urine (+2), and high blood presure 160/100.' I almost give up and asked doctor to surgery but he told me to calm down. and' I got induction and bed rest for 3 days before deliver. so traumatic for me...and now im pregnant 18 weeks (my 1st child now 8 years old). Honestly im a bit scared that I will have preeclampsia again..but' I hope it won't happen again. Wish me luck... and bless all women in the world (sorry if my english was not really good).
Posted On Thursday, May 12, 2011 By Glenda Kump
I would like to share my story with everyone!! I got married young and had 3 wonderful children.' The pregnancies and birth were great with no complications.' I got divorced after my 3rd child was born.' 10 years later, I met and married a wonderful man.' We decided that we wanted to have a baby of our own and we were successful and got pregnant immediately.' I went to all my appointments and procedures and everything was looking great.' We found out that we were going to have a girl!!!' At 32 weeks, my blood pressure was high so I went to the ER and they admitted me, thinking that it could be my gall bladder.' My blood levels were irregular.' They... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 05, 2011 By Patty
' Randalls Birth My story begins with a hospital stay of 33 days beginning at 27 weeks gestation before my 5th and final babys birth. I once again was put on bed rest for preeclampsia, a dangerous disorder of pregnancy that includes a rise in blood pressure, protein in the urine and usually swelling, visual disturbances and headaches. It can be very serious with a risk of maternal stroke or seizure and growth retardation or placental abruption for the unborn baby. I was very upset the day my midwife told me to go to labor and delivery to be checked out for PE once again. I had spent 3 weeks on hospital bed rest and delivered my last little boy at 34 weeks due to the... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 05, 2011 By Gayla
My husband and I had been trying to conceive for a year and a half with no luck, so we began fertility treatments and became pregnant with triplets via IUI.' I' had a perfect pregnancy (considering it was times three) up until 30 weeks.' I began to swell a lot and the doctors ordered ultrasounds on my legs to check for blood clots.' My blood pressure was not yet high at that point so they didn't take it too seriously.' At 32 weeks and 3 days I began to cramp horribly and told my husband that I had to go to the hospital.' As soon as I arrived they inserted a catheter and began monitoring my urine and blood pressure.' I was admitted on a Saturday and since there... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, May 03, 2011 By Jenny
I think my story is a little out of date, after looking at some other women's stories here, but I hope it will help! I was 23 when I had my son, my only child, and had a difficult pregnancy symptomatically, although without any true complications - severe vomiting and nausea in the first trimester, migraines in the second (I had them prior to pregnancy as well but they worsened for a time in mid-pregnancy, the worst I'd ever had), and then various small issues toward the end.' I dilated to 2 cm very suddenly 3 weeks before the due date and then stopped, having nothing but severe, unproductive, Braxton-Hicks contractions for the next 5 weeks.' Finally, a few days short of... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 29, 2011 By Jeanette
When my husband and I decided to get pregnant it happened in no time at all; I am 34 years old and no one in my family had ever suffered preeclampsia. During my pregnancy I experienced no nausea at all and other than feeling sleepy, the first trimester I actually felt very well. I had attended my doctor checkups every month and everything looked normal. Andy was developing normally and we were thrilled about having a baby boy. Mid-February 2011 I went to my medical checkup and everything was just right; my blood pressure was 100/60 as I always had it and I was 22 weeks pregnant. The following two weeks I started feeling tired again and I had experienced a bit of headaches. I... Read More
Posted On Saturday, April 23, 2011 By kristin
Eloise was born at 24 weeks and 5 days. I had a very normal pregnancy until week 23. Friday, March 25th, I woke up very early, around 3am, and felt something was wrong. I quickly found I was bleeding and got very scared. My husband was out of town on a church retreat so I was home alone. So, I called my parents who called an ambulance. I was rushed to the hospital. My husband was finally located and rushed back to to town by a friend. The doctors found that my normally low blood pressure had sky rocketed so I was kept Friday night for observation. I... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 20, 2011 By Eunamia
It all started on the 1st April afternoon,' at 14h00 I was chatting with some colleagues at work, then by 15h00 I had this sharp pain below my rib cage , I felt nauseas and somewhat light headed. I asked a colleague to take me home. I called my gynae on the way home, who then told me to take a panado and have some rest, she thought it was just baby stretching. Shortly, after I got home, fortunately my husband was home and he phoned my gynae again and took me in to see her. After seeing me, she then said I should be admitted in hospital because of my high blood pressure. She also ordered blood tests. Whilst in hospital that evening, my gynae came to speak to my husband... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 19, 2011 By Nicole
Hello, My name is Nicole.' I am 34 years old and have 3 children.' I am a 3 time survivor of preeclampsia.' My first pregnancy was going smooth until my 28th week.' It all started going downhill when I had a severe headache for a couple of days.' When I called my doctor, they said to immediately go to the E.R.' When I arrived my blood pressure was 180/130.' Within the hour, I was helicoptered to a different hospital and my son was delivered with in 12 hours by emergency c-section.' They were not sure if I was going to make it, but luckily I did.' Unfortunately because of the prematurity, he did have brain damage.' We lost him when he was 2... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 18, 2011 By Jamie
After about 1 '½ years of marriage my husband and I decided we were ready to have a baby. ' We were pregnant in no time and aside from the nausea and constant vomiting, I had a perfectly normal pregnancy until about 37 weeks. ' I thought I was going into labor and so I headed to labor and delivery to be checked out. ' I was not in labor, but my blood pressure was so' high so I was kept overnight. ' I was sent home the next day on bedrest but went into labor that night and delivered a healthy 6 lb, 9 oz baby girl. ' We named her Carly. ' I was on the dreaded magnesium drip for 12 hours and then they turned it off. ' I was sent home without any instructions... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 06, 2011 By Kristina
The story, "The Silence is Deafening" could have been my story. While I was reading it, it occurred to me that I too was on my way to being discharged from the hospital at one point and the fact that my blood pressure (BP) spiked, probably saved my life. It not only spiked but remained high and erratic. Lucky me! Thankfully, my story had a different ending than Joans.' My heart goes out to her husband and family. The loss of this woman is a tragedy. My experience taught me many things, not the least of which was the duality of life. Until this happened, I had a very naive understanding of life. As this story doesnt easily unfold, its difficult to write. There is no linear,... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 05, 2011 By Errin
It was a regular routine OB appointment, I was running late do to my boyfriend and we were, well I was fussing like usual. ' Yet, this time my blood pressure was high. I was told to come back in two days. I get there and my BP was 200/120. Next thing I knew I was being rushed to labor and delivery, when I got up there, all I saw was doctors that seemed extremely nervous. ' All I remember was hearing turn off the lights, keep off the lights, we don't want her to seize. ' I felt normal and just wanted to get back to work. I heard them ask my boyfriend if I looked swollen, I didn't I looked and felt normal. And, just like that I was being transferred to another hospital. At 25... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 01, 2011 By Autumn
It has been 6 days since we lost our first baby, our daughter Sydney Josephine. I feel like I have been in a time warp and come out somewhere on a March day. Two weeks ago was much like any other few days of my 5th months of pregnancy except that I had noticed my face and hands were much more swollen than usual when I would wake up in the morning. They would usually go down by the end of the day but start again the next. My shoes and boots werent fitting as well either. Thursday February 21st I called my mom who is an OB Nurse Practitioner and asked about the signs and she suggested I call my Doctor and get my blood pressure checked. I had looked in the mirror again at that point. I... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, March 22, 2011 By Tricia
I wanted to share more of my story, it will be one month today that I had to deliver my baby girl Rylee. I think about her often, and miss those little kicks in my belly. I would have been close to 27 weeks now. This whole experience has really changed the way I veiw life. It has positively changed me. I truly believe Rylee was my angel, she saved me so I could continue living with her brothers and rest of her family. The first week after losing her was really rough, I couldn't make sense of anything. I wanted a daughter so bad and all the plans I had with her were soon wiped away. leaving the hospital without her was a gloomy experience since I had to do it twice. I was readmitted after... Read More
Posted On Thursday, March 17, 2011 By Sarah
I so far had a normal pregnancy. All my prenatal visits went well and I never got sick during my pregnancy (though in the beginning I did get carsick). And then this happened... I was 28 weeks pregnant and it was 1 o'clock Wednesday morning. I' had only slept for an hour or so.' I woke up with a feeling of nausea and what felt like severe heartburn.' I had experienced these same symptoms only 2 nights before, but thought it had been something I ate (maybe bad chowder) and I was ok the next day. But this was much worse than that. I could not lie down in bed. I tried to lay on the couch, nothing could make me comfortable.' I felt like I could not... Read More
Posted On Thursday, March 03, 2011 By Carla
Hello, I lost my first child, Hunter Presley, on Aug.03 2005 due to severe preclampsia. After a routinue checkup at 21 weeks pregnant, I mentioned to the OB that I was concerned about PE. Not knowing really what it was, I listened to him when he said, "It's way too early for preeclampsia." Well, at 23 weeks pregnant I was omitted to the hospital on a Monday morning. I delivered Hunter, stillborn, two days later.
Heartbroken, I returned home and eventually to work. I had great support from family and friends. I also found great support from this Foundation.
In memory of Hunter Presley Gaydos,
Carla M. Gaydos
Posted On Wednesday, March 02, 2011 By Tricia
hello everyone, I am so glad to have found this site. I recently suffered a loss of my precious daughter Rylee. I had to deliver her at 23 weeks though she was only measuring 21. I never had symptoms with my other 2 pregnancies. never had a problem with high blood pressure. My doctor says that the placenta from conception was abnormal. he also said it was a rare case, though it happens. I never felt so empty, lost and devastated. I truley believe in god's plan. I plan to try for another child, just not sure when. at this time I just wish I was still carying my Rylee girl. I am taking it one day at a time. I know it will be good for me to share my story and also listen to... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, March 01, 2011 By Lucienne
It is 12 years ago, today,that my daughter Elizabeth died. I share this story with everyone knowing our experiences with HELLP will last our lifetime and the memories of loss and sickness have changed us. I dont remember Elizabeth well. I barely met her. I remember being given last rights. I remember wondering if my daughter' would outlive me. ' I remember being told she had just a 10% chance of living. It seemed like a good %. I remember giving her my middle name because it was the only thing I could think of giving her. I remember being too sick to understand time.' I... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 24, 2011 By Johanne
Dear Preeclampsia Foundation and Community, I signed up on your website back in September 2010, 2 months after my son Holdon passed away in the NICU after only 3 and half months of life. He was delivered via emergency C-section at 28 weeks when it was discovered that I had preeclampsia and was experiencing HELLP syndrome. It is now nearly 6 months later since I first signed up on this site and almost a year since our son was born and I am finally able to bring myself to tell our story.' I am 34 years old (32 when I became pregnant). This was my first pregnancy, I am not overweight, have never had high blood pressure prior to the week I delivered, or any of the other... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 21, 2011 By MARSHALL
Most people graciously wait for that minute to say "I DO" and kiss the brides of their dreams; for me, it was mixed feelings of great exhilaration and long-sought adventure, to hold the lady of my dream and journey through time! ' It was about Yuletide in the year 2008 and the atmosphere was best for any memorable event. Wow! Finally after six years of friendship and building a... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 10, 2011 By Jasmine
I was so happy when I found out I was pregnant, however I was still in college and I knew my family would not approve. Some people even brought up abortion as an option. I already had two abortions, and I deeply regret them. So I was a little on edge about how to break the news to my family. Most of my family was disappointed, but not mad. The entire pregnancy was smooth compared to stories I've heard about pregnancy being awful. I went to a monthly prenatal check-up as usual, but this time the nurse told me my blood pressure was 110/70 which is below average. The following month the nurse told me that my blood pressure was a little high,... Read More
Posted On Monday, January 31, 2011 By jana
Hi there - I am a preeclampsia survivor ( so to speak ) I conceived with my 2nd child and was due to deliver 6/2008. Come 15 weeks into my pregnancy,' I began to have symptoms and I was not sure what was going on.' I had never even heard of this disease. My Dr. dismissed the fact that it was preeclampsia and brushed me to the side... around 22 weeks' I finally went to another' doctor on my own and they ran some tests. My protein in my urine was 11,000.00. I had to be rushed to the hospital, and at 25 weeks I delivered my son Cade! He was 6 months old when he passed away. His little lungs did not have time to develop. This is the hardest thing we have ever gone through as a... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 28, 2011 By Stephen
In 1995 my wife develope HELLP Syndrome at week 26.' In order to save her life, our daughter Taylor was delivered 14 weeks early, weighing 1lb, 14 ounces.' Thankfully, my wife slowly recovered from her blood pressure numbers doubling, very low platelets and kidney failure.' Our daughter lived for 2 months in NICU and never came home.' She developed NEC and we had to make the difficult choice to take her off of life support.
My wife and' I went on to found the HELLP Syndrome Society to honor our daughter, Taylor.' The HELLP Syndrome Society merged with the Preeclampsia Foundation after 15 years of existence.
Posted On Thursday, January 27, 2011 By johanna
In August 2002, my husband and I found out I was pregnant. After miscarrying the previous year, this pregnancy was met with caution at first, then grew into complete joy when we saw the heartbeat.' During my pregnancy, I loved seeing my belly expand.' The doctor said I had a text-book pregnancy. I gained only 28 pounds, exercised regularly and waddled to and from work on the train.' Despite the typical swelling of my hands and feet, and lower back pain, I loved being pregnant. Sunday morning, April 20, 2003, I awoke to contractions. I was 1 week from my due date. Contractions had woken me before, but unlike the previous times, these contractions didnt stop.' ... Read More
Posted On Saturday, January 15, 2011 By Kristina
Posted On Saturday, January 15, 2011 By Jennifer
Blink. White lights then nothing. Blink. White lights. No, white walls. People. Noise. Someone is holding my hand, but I can't move. White walls. I can see a television high on the wall. It's off. I can see a crucifix to the right of the television. I must be in a hospital. Good. That's where I should be. But where is my baby? Am I still pregnant? Is he alive? The only thing I am sure of is that I am alive. My husband is by my side repeating the words, "You're in the hospital. The baby was born. The baby is okay. You are in the hospital the baby is okay... the baby is okay." My mother in-law is here. She was in Indiana on Friday. That's thousands of miles away. What day is... Read More
Posted On Thursday, January 13, 2011 By Jamie
My husband, Adam, ' and' I could not have been more thrilled when we found out we were pregnant. There was no discussion had or decision to be made... I would use the same doctors I had gone to for ten years.' OB/GYNs are baby docs, they know about babies and their mamas; what's to think about? Having never been pregnant before, I had no idea what to expect.' ... Read More
Posted On Thursday, January 06, 2011 By Todd
My wife and I met in 2001 during a press event at our company. I had just landed from a devastating divorce; she from a disappointing long-term relationship that hadn't led to marriage. We hit it off immediately. Though I had a daughter from the previous marriage, what I was missing was the sense of family togetherness. What she wanted more than anything was kids. In 2006 we were married in a dream ceremony in Florence, Italy. A year later we were pregnant with our first child and on May 25, 2008 - a day after my wife's birthday - our daughter entered the world, albeit 6 weeks early.... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 04, 2011 By Kaylee
I'm 24 years old and in both of my pregnancies had severe preeclampsia and' HELLP syndrome. My firstborn was born at 26 weeks gestation, 1lb 9oz 13" long. This was severe preeclampsia. During my ultrasounds at my check up, they noticed she was a little smaller than normal size for the gestation week' I was at. It started around 23 weeks- I was swelling up everywhere, I would wake up and barely open my eyes, wasn't able to stand long because my feet were so swollen, as well as my wrists and I had horrible headaches that wouldnt go away. At 26 weeks it was severe. ' I was told to come into the hospital where' I was admitted on hospital bedrest for 5 days. They thought they were... Read More
Posted On Monday, January 03, 2011 By Patricia
When December started I figured that with Christmas and the New Year approaching it would be filled with shopping, work, and dreaming about my baby due in March. It started December 8th after a job interview when my legs and ankles swelled up out of no where. I figured I was starting to retain water or something. 25 and my first pregnancy I had no idea what was going on so on it went. A few days before my December 16th OBGYN appointment I noticed that other than my legs swelling to the point of not being able to walk, and the fact that I couldn't breath much, a cut on my left breast was leaking fluid. To my OBGYN it was all normal. She took my blood pressure and... Read More
Posted On Friday, December 31, 2010 By Johnson
On November 3rd, 2006, Shirley gave birth to baby girl Carina. She was born healthy and weighted 7 pounds 2.5 ounces. In a tragic twist of fate, she did not live to see her beautiful baby. Shirley suffered from a hemorrhagic stroke during delivery and fell into a coma. With profound sadness, she departed us on November 5th, 2006.
For details, please check http://www.myShirleyKo.com.
Posted On Tuesday, December 28, 2010 By Alexandra
Five days before my due date I started to feel sick and had a headache. I went to Walmart to check my blood pressure and it was 150/ 100. I called my ob and she advised me to go to labor and delivery. When I got there, my blood pressure was 146/ 100. They asked me to lay on my left side, so it came down to then 127/ 90. They did several labs including preeclampsia, and they were all negative. The nurse said that' I made my blood pressure go up. I didn't agree with her of course, but I was fine and went home. On my last week of pregnancy, my feet were swelling so much that they would get numb if... Read More
Posted On Thursday, December 23, 2010 By Takisha
I am a 31 year old mother of three beautiful baby girls. With my last pregnancy I suffered with severe preeclampsia, which resulted in my daughter having to be delivered at 29 weeks. She weighed 2lbs 13oz. It was the most horrible, terrifying thing I have ever had to go through. Now, I am pregnant with my fourth child and my risk of developing it again is higher than 70% according to the doctors. Needless to say that I am mortified to think of having to go through that again. I know now, that I should pay close attention to certain things, something I didn't know of with my last pregnancy. All I can do is pray that it doesn't hit us as swiftly and severely as it did with my daughter. I... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, December 22, 2010 By Kimberly
My name is Kim and I am the proud mommy of 2 handsome boys. Gabriel is 4 and Isaac is 3. I had a very difficult pregnancy with Gabriel from the very beginning. I became terribly sick in my first trimester. I lost my ability to walk thanks to my body producing too much of the relaxin hormone in my second trimester. Finally in my 3rd I developed severe preeclampsia. My doctor dismissed the idea and allowed me to continue to full-term. I was swollen beyond belief and began getting very sick. My blood pressure was average and I didn't have any protein in my... Read More
Posted On Thursday, December 16, 2010 By Sara
I am not sure how to start this story out. Brings lots of sad memories. My fiance' (at the time) was away at Air Assault school in Georgia while I was in Maryland. He had got medically dropped for breaking his hand. The same night while he was waiting to fly back I started to feel really sick, and contractions were back to back with no break. I was persistant on waiting an hour or until I had six within the hour. They eventually stopped after I got up and walked around, and drank water. He got home the next morning, and the rest of the weekend I was fine. I went in on March 16th, 2009 for my regular 38 week scheduled appointment. Little did I know this was the day I would welcome my now... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 29, 2010 By Renee
I am a severe preeclampsia survivor. I still dream about January 18, 2006. I vividly hear the shrill of my daughter's heart alarm as her tiny heart has stopped beating from inside me, I feel my body convulse uncontrollably, and I see the panic in the nurse's eyes as she yells for help. The last thing I remember before the anesthesiologist put me out was staring into the harsh glare of the operating room lights and crying to myself - is this how it all ends? In one way YES, that is how it all ended. Ending a way of life - through surviving preeclampsia I am learning to live my life. So, during this time of year of giving thanks, here is what a... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 29, 2010 By Jennifer
I found out I was pregnant in Jan 2010, 6 months after' I had gotten married.' I was estatic because my younger sister had just announced that she was expecting two weeks earlier!' We would talk on the phone everyday about how we both hoped they were girls and how we would dress them alike and all the bows we woud make. My pregnancy was progressing great until May. ' I am a teacher and I remember the day of TAKS retakes I had to stand and walk around a lot. I was exhausted and my feet and hands were very swollen.' ' I couldn't even take off my wedding band, even though it was digging into my finger.' I also remember having pain in my stomach that felt like... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, November 24, 2010 By Laura
The day after Halloween I went to my 35 week OB appointment.' Everything seemed to be a whirl-wind from the moment I stepped into his office until I was rushed to the OB Triage area of the hospital with complications due Preeclampsia. ' I was surrounded by a team of eight doctors as they informed me that they needed to get my baby out or both our lives would be in jeopardy.' ' ... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 22, 2010 By Website
Hola a todas, les contare mi historia, tenia 27 semanas y cuatro -de gestacin, cuando empez mi calvario, me desembarazaron porque mi presin arterial se altero, ademas que empece con un cuadro de infeccin urinaria, descenso de plaquetas, en fin un cuadro terrible, el cual conlleva a la remisin a urgencias, y a que los medicos decidan desembarazarme, y me diagnstican preclampsia Help 1, el medico que me atiende de alto riesgo enfatiza en que va a tratar de salvar mi vida y la de mi bebe, me realizan una cesrea, y esta dura no mas de una hora, despus aparezco en una habitacin de cuidados intensivos y mi bebe en una incubadora; permanezco en UCI durante tres das, y el bebe aun luchando... Read More
Posted On Saturday, November 20, 2010 By Victoria
My pregnancy was moving along absolutely perfectly. We had only had one hiccup, a threatened miscarriage during week 7 of my pregnancy. But munchkin was fine and my pregnancy progressed and progressed. We moved to Georgia two weeks before my husband left for Basic Training, and while i was 32 weeks pregnant. I was measuring big, but my doctor's didn't seem to be worried about it, so i didn't either. After my husband left for Basic, it was my job to figure out the insurance and start making the doctor's appointments to make sure everything was still going alright. Two weeks after my husband left, i finally was able to get everything straightened out so that i could see a doctor. I was 36... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 18, 2010 By Tamika
Where to start, we are about to celebrate my beautiful son's first birthday and as exciting time as it should be I feel overwhelmed with emotions on his early arrival due to Preeclampsia.' Oliver's story starts as most do with a pretty uneventful first 28 weeks where I had no problems at all only the occasional morning sickness bout.' My blood pressure had started hovering up around 26 weeks and the hospital I attended asked me to come back at 28 weeks. At that point there wasn't really much to worry about my blood pressure was borderline I had slight traces of protienuria but still within normal ranges.' At 28 weeks they decided a few days resting in hospital was the... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, November 16, 2010 By Ty
At 26 weeks pregnant, I nervously walk into my doctors office around 4 pm for an emergency appointment I scheduled the night before. See, for the past few weeks walking had become difficult due to the amount of swelling in my feet. I typically wear a size 8 in shoes however the week previously I purchased a size 10 wide, no lace shoe, just so my feet could fit comfortably. Of course I discussed my concerns with coworkers, friends, and family but the response I received was that "swelling was normal" along with pregnancy stories of wobbly swollen feet. But I was only 26 weeks. Is this much swelling really normal this early? Well as I did some research I... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 15, 2010 By shadow205
I first came here in 2004 and found the friendliest, most compassionate and helpful people that you could find anywhere. I was concerned about my daughter who had developed Pre-E late in her pregnancy. Before it was over with she went on to' develop' HELLP & Sheehan's Syndrome. She also had continuing medical problems post' part om. It took about a year and a half for her blood' pressure to return to normal and for her adrenal gland to begin producing cortisol again. I am not going to go into detail here, it's just too long, her story can be found by searching "shadow205." There are a lot of posts and information. What I would like to say is that since the time... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 By Anna
My pregnancy was one surprise after another.' We planned to get pregnant, but that was as far as "our plan" went.' We only saw one heartbeat at the first ultrasound, but at the second ultrasound, they showed me two babies.' I started having contractions around 22 weeks and was put on terbutaline pills.' That was about the same time my blood pressure started creeping up.' Because it is normally very low - 90s/50s, my husband kept asking the doctors if it wasn't a little too high.' Every response was, "it's high for her, but not that high."' At my 29 week check, I was 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced.' I was admitted to Labor & Delivery, where I stayed for... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 By Cindi
Heidi was a very healthy 34 year old woman expecting her first baby in November of 2008. On November 7th Heidi checked into the hospital with Labor pains, once they did the lab work, they realized how bad it was and deciided to go ahead and do a C-Section. Abby was born a healthy 7lb 3 oz baby girl. We got to go into to see Heidi around 4:00 PM but were told not to excite Heidi as they were trying to keep the blood pressure under control. At 7:30 they put Heidi in the ICU to observe her for 24 hrs. On November 9th Heidi suffered a seizure was vented, and then rushed to surgery to try and stop the bleeding. On November 13th we had Heidi airlifted to anothe Hospital that was bigger and... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 08, 2010 By Fathiyyah
They say you dont know how strong you are until you actually have to be strong. And to be honest, the last time I ever felt strong was after my daddy died. It was almost like a forced strength because everyone and everything else around me was crumbling before my eyes. In some strange way, I think I carried that same strength throughout the years, just saving it for the moment that I would need it again. And surely did I need it beginning February 5, 2010. Its funny how sometimes it takes tragedy and trials to make a believer out of some people. As much as Ive tried to deny myself of these feelings, it holds true for me. Im not sure how much I believed in God before, but I did. I... Read More
Posted On Monday, November 08, 2010 By Sarah
I was recently a guest blogger on a local website for mothers. I wrote about' preventing preeclampsia to share my own experience and to spread awareness in my community. Here is the link to the article I wrote: http://triadmomsonmain.com/_blog/My_Blog/post/Preventing_Preeclampsia/ Here is an exerpt from that article: I certainly didnt think that I would ever have to worry about having a serious pregnancy complication like preeclampsia or that I would have to be induced 5 '½ weeks early in an effort to save my childs life and my... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 05, 2010 By Chris
I was discharged from the hospital 9 days post-partum, after 4 days of IV iron bolices, and some sort of hemoglobin shot to help get my blood chemistry going in the right direction, with a j-tube to keep draining all the fluid that had third-spaced into my abdominal cavity.' Post-surgery, besides the 40 mg of Lasix I was receiving via IV daily to start getting the water retention off; over 3 litres of fluid, (word picture: over 3 bottles of pop) came out through the j-tube in my abdomen.' During surgery I remember the one surgeon apologizing to the other, I think his initial incision left a rooster tail of fluid that squirted the surgeon opposite him.' She in turn replied,... Read More
Posted On Friday, November 05, 2010 By Kristina
My Preeclampsia Story "Two Miracle Girlz" My name is Kristina Lowman, I am 32 years old and a two time preeclampsia and HELLP survivor. This is the quick brief story. My pregnancy started out great.' I was a... Read More
Posted On Thursday, November 04, 2010 By Lisette
My name is Lisette and I am 36 years old,' I reside in New York City. It all started in 1996 when I was just 22 years old, I was working and hardly rested...was stress due to work. At about 24 weeks my body started acting funny. I recall being in the pool and getting these horrible pains around my shoulder and arm. I was rushed to the hospital where later that day I was told that I had preeclampsia. They gave me 3 shots of steroids to help with the babys growth. After being admitted for 1 week I had seizures and the illness progressed to eclampsia, it was a life or death situation blood pressure was outrageous 185/110 so I was rushed to deliver by c-section. My baby was born at 25... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, November 03, 2010 By Renee
I am a severe preeclampsia survivor.' I still dream about January 18, 2006.' I vividly hear the shrill of my daughter's heart alarm as her tiny heart has stopped beating from inside me, I feel my body convulse uncontrollably, and I see the panic in the nurse's eyes as she yells for help.' The last thing I remember before the anesthesiologist put me out was staring into the harsh glare of the operating room lights and crying to myself - is this how it all ends? ' In one way YES, that is how it all ended.' Ending a way of life - through surviving preeclampsia I am learning to live my life.' So, during this time of year of giving thanks, here is... Read More
Posted On Saturday, October 30, 2010 By Kimberlee
Preeclampsia was something I simply glossed over in the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book and I was never told about it by my doctor. I was 19 years old and pregnant with my son. My blood pressure rose over several doctor visits but it was not caught. While being admitted to the... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, February 23, 2010 By Adrienne
I wasn't diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome until after I insisted that there was something wrong and lab work was done. (I had chest pain and did not feel good at all. I also had blood in my urine.) My counts were so low that I was called by my doctor directly and ordered to immediately go to the hospital.I had to be put under general anesthesia and was even thanked by my doctor for being so persistent or I/our son would have died! We had a doctor before that miss this and just dismissed me as having heartburn without doing any tests. (Basicallly, he blew me off as just a "nervous" pregnant lady!) The jerk even was the on-call doctor while I was in the... Read More
Posted On Sunday, February 21, 2010 By Christina
I am currently 25 years old. My story begins June of 2008 when my daughter was conceived. I am a paramedic so I was familiar with pregnancy things with seeing people and delivering babies. So when I found out I was pregnant I was so excited. I continued to work with some heavy lifting but I always tried to use my legs and arms. All the guys would give me a hard time and say I couldn't do it. I knew I could and I never felt like I was jeopardizing my pregnancy. As the months passed and my belly got bigger, it was harder to do things because I was so tired and began to swell. (I would take my boots off and have an impression of my sock that would stay for hours!) I had planned on... Read More
Posted On Saturday, February 20, 2010 By Maya
I felt fine. I had a scheduled doctor's appointment in February 27, 2006, at 32 weeks. After checking my blood pressure twice, and asking if I was "okay", my doctor sent me straight to labor and delivery. I was terrified! My husband was deployed in Iraq, and all I could think about was him not being there to tell me it was going to be okay. I didn't realize that I would soon be giving birth to our first child, alone. I had no warning signs. My head didn't hurt, no blurry vision, no excessive weight gain, and no pain. I felt fine. An ultrasound determined that because my blood pressure was so high, blood flow was restricted to my daughter. At 32 weeks, she only weighed 3 lbs. Now, I... Read More
Posted On Friday, February 19, 2010 By Ann
When I was 16 weeks pregnant, I went in for my appointment and was told my blood pressure was slightly elevated, but we will just keep an eye on it. At my 20 week appointment, my BP was still elevated and my doctor decided to put me on labetalol as a precaution. On the labetalol my BP was finally starting to normalize. At around 28 weeks I started to retain water. I didn't think much of it; I thought it was normal to experience swelling. At 28 weeks I started to go in weekly for non stress tests and protein checks. Around 33 weeks my BP medication was increased and the swelling in my feet was so bad I couldn't wear any shoes but flip flops. At work, I started to notice that I could go all... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, June 09, 2010 By
My name Is Abigail S. I was a young woman expecting a baby at 19 years old. I didn't find out my body was developing a child until I was about 4 to 5 months pregnant. It wasn't until after I started going to my doctor visits regularly and taking my prenatal vitamins did I feel fine. I thought to myself, "Man this pregnancy is going to be a walk in the park." I, like many other young mothers did not know anything about preeclampsia and was concerned and worried when I started to gain at least ten pounds a month. Along with the weight gain I developed high blood pressure which I thought was just something genetic since my mother also has high blood pressure. My body also... Read More
Posted On Saturday, June 05, 2010 By
My story begins 8 years ago, my husband and I were expecting our first baby together. My pregnancy began as a typical pregnancy with morning sickness and water retention or so I thought. About 12 weeks into my pregnancy I began to become ill with blurred vision, pain around my kidney area and vomiting. I had just been in for a doctor's appointment and made another one. They set me up for a sonogram for the next day, September 11, 2001.I did not make it to my sonogram appointment. I had spent my entire evening ill, and soaking in a warm bath of water to relax me and get rid of the pain I was feeling. I called my doctor at 4 am. He advised me to go to the emergency room. There I had... Read More
Posted On Sunday, May 30, 2010 By tere
Two years ago I decided it was time to have a child. My first born. A baby girl. She was active and kicked and it was just amazing. Until that day, the day it all hit me. I woke up one morning with a headache that I just couldn't
Posted On Friday, February 19, 2010 By Gail
Hello! I am 35 years old and 14 weeks pregnant and showing some protein in my urine. I had preeclampsia with my first son and the doctor told me I had toxemia which I never understood for years. I was a week overdue when I went to the hospital feeling really horrible with a headache, bad pain in the upper abdomen, and vomiting. I decided to go to the hospital myself since I was only a 5 minute walk away and I didn't tell my family. When I got there I was admitted right away and was being monitored. I had high blood pressure and protein in my urine. I didn't know what was going on because no one was explaining anything to me. They were just panicking and doing this and that and telling me to... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 18, 2010 By Lisette
Currently I am 36 yrs old and had my first child in 1996 She is going to be 14 yrs old this year 2010. With my daughter I had her at 25 weeks due to preeclampsia. My blood pressure was 180/120. I had a seizure and it was not a pretty experience. My daughter received the three steroids during my pregnancy to try to expedite the organ growth of the baby. Well I gave birth and she was 25 weeks and weighed only 1 lb. She stayed in the hospital for two months but thanks to the lord that my baby today is a beautiful young lady. After 13-14 years I decided to get pregnant and currently am 14 weeks and very frightened, Doctors tell me not to worry. This pregnancy is with a second marriage... Read More
Posted On Thursday, February 18, 2010 By Leslie
I would like to share my story about the birth of my daughter, Janalee. I was due with her on December. 23, 2009. This was my second pregnancy, 12 years after I had my first. I was 32 years old when I became pregnant and this was a planned event. My first pregnancy, also a daughter, was textbook. I went through the normal sickness in the beginning it lasted through the first trimester, I felt great during the second, and began to feel tired during the 3rd as my belly grew larger and larger! I was due with her on August 27th and went into labor late in the day on August 25th then having her on the morning of August 26th. She weighed 9... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 15, 2010 By Meghan
I am currently 13 + weeks pregnant and at my initial OB appointment my platelets were found to be low in the 120s. I was then referred to hematology that rechecked my platelets approx 1 week later and found them to be 110. They did not seem to be concerned until they got down into the 70s but wanted me to get my blood checked at each OB appointment. The next week at my OB appointment they were down to 90 and now I am having to go to the perinatal doctor. I am just starting to get a little worried. Are my platelets going to continue to drop at this rate? Even though it is early, am I heading down the HELLP path? Is there something wrong with me or with the baby? I feel fine other... Read More
Posted On Friday, February 12, 2010 By Jamie
In March 2009 I found out that I was expecting our first child. We had been praying for and trying to conceive a child for almost 2 years at this point, so we were overjoyed and thankful to have received such a blessing! For the last couple of years I had not had a visible menstrual cycle. I was diagnosed with Polycystic ovarian syndrome, indicated by the amount of testosterone in my system, a big weight gain over three years and my lack of a period. We were prescribed Clomid, but I was confused by my... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 10, 2010 By angela
My daughter was born at 28 weeks. She weighed 2 lbs. 5 oz. I had never been so scared in all my life. They told me before I gave birth to her, she would not cry. She did however struggle to make a squeaky, almost kitten meow sound. She was on a ventilator for only 2 hours and it was room temp air, not oxygen. To everyone's amazement, she was only in the hospital for about 30 days. She came home at 4 lbs. even. She is now 11 years old. No learning disabilities or growth set backs. We are so blessed. She truly is a miracle baby. Today, I am writing this story from bed rest. I am 24 weeks and having symtoms of... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, February 10, 2010 By
I became pregnant very young at 18 years old. At around 5 months I was informed at a checkup that my baby was showing up a little smaller than she should've been on the utlrasound. The nurse told me that since I was small, it may just be genetic. But I was sent to a specialist anyway. The specialist informed me that I was going to develop preeclampsia and that my baby would most likely be delivered early, "But we're gonna try to keep her in there as long as we can" he said.The very next day I woke up to severe back pain and fell to tears. I told my grandmother, whom I was living with at the time, and she was worried and asked me to call my mother. I did. My mother took... Read More
Posted On Monday, February 08, 2010 By Darlene
I remember waking up a week before having my stroke with my whole face, legs and feet being completely swollen. The night before I had my stroke, I remember telling my husband that I think they would induce my labor. That following morning, I was so swollen that I could only take baths. While I was taking my bath, I remember having my stroke in the bath tub. The paramedics rushed me to the hospital and performed an emergency c-section. My daughter was born at 6 months. Now, my daughter is a year old without any complications!! I thank God everyday for blessing me with my daughter and my life! I could have died without ever seeing my child
Posted On Monday, February 08, 2010 By Vanessa
I never quite know where to start on a story involving as many details, as well as gray-areas, as my story does. So, I will begin with the fact that it was my first pregnancy (and only, so far) and I had began my sobriety at the first knowledge of conception. Therefore, my body was going through both hormonal changes as well as homeostasis adjustments, which made it that much more stressful physically and mentally. I went from 114lbs at conception to 189lbs at the time of labor. Not once during my doctor's office visits did they express any concern for my blood pressure levels OR my protein levels. The only concern was the swelling of my lower legs/ankles that... Read More
Posted On Sunday, February 07, 2010 By kimberley
My beautiful son Alfie-James Paris was born sleeping due to severe preeclampsia on December 22nd 2009 at 8.35 a.m.I went to the hospital in the early hours Tuesday morning December 22, 2009 as I was in a lot of pain. I was actually in labor. The nurses tried to find Alfie-James's heartbeat but they couldn't find it. That's when mine and my boyfriends' world's fell apart. They told us he may have died. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could my perfect son be dead? They then got the consultant to do an ultrasound but they couldn't find his heartbeat. They told me he was dead. They then told me I would have to give birth to him naturally. It was heartbreaking having to go... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 24, 2010 By
I survived but our son did not. He was stillborn at 34 weeks. I had an appointment at my doctor's office two days before this happened and the nurse indicated in the medical record that there was protein in my urine sample which told them that there was a problem with my kidneys. She did not tell the doctor of this and I was sent home to rest rather than be hospitalized to be observed.Two days later I became very ill with pressure in my abdominal area. I went to see my doctor who sent me to the hospital in Waterloo and contacted a OB-GYN to look at me. By the time I got to the hospital my kidneys had failed and my blood pressure was so high that they gave me two shots of magnesium to... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 24, 2010 By
I had my first child at a young age, 18 years old. I was having a girl. Everything was going well up until my 25th week of pregnancy. I started to notice my ankle swelling for a few days. I thought I was retaining water but wasn't. I woke up on May, 21, 2009 and my whole body was swollen. I went to the nearest hospital. I was there for a little over 3 hours and the doctor came in and told me I had preeclampsia and was being sent to a hospital in Pontiac.So I went and four days later, at only 26 weeks and 0 days I had a beautiful baby girl at 6:53 a.m. She weighed 1 pound, 4oz and was 12 inches. My original due date was August 31, 2009. My daughter lived for 3 weeks and 2 days and... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 21, 2010 By
When I became pregnant with my son in the summer of 2008, everything seemed like a dream. I had an absolutely perfect pregnancy. I experienced minimal morning sickness, did not gain very much weight, and basically felt physically amazing. As I neared my due date, I became pretty confident that things were going to be cake, as everything else had been. When I went to my 37 week checkup, I felt great and was looking forward to another perfect appointment. That was when the nurse looked concerned when taking my blood pressure. She took it again, then again. THAT was when the doctor came in to let me know I was spilling protein. She made a quick diagnosis of Preeclampsia and scheduled me to be... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 21, 2010 By
I have had two battles with preeclampsia. The first was with my son, who was also my first pregnancy. I went along with a fairly normal pregnancy. I did have a lot of swelling and weight gain, but my Dr kept telling me that was normal. It was at my 38 week check up that they couldn't get my baby to move during the NST and my blood pressure was high, so they sent me over to another office to have an emergency ultrasound to make sure the baby was ok. He looked good, but my BP was still high, so they sent me to labor and delivery and said I was being induced. Being my first baby, I was scared to death. The induction went fairly well, but then they... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 21, 2010 By
It all started Sunday, Jan 31st. I woke up early in the morning, around 6 a.m. feeling really sick. I thought it was the usual routine of morning sickness because I had morning sickness throughout the entire pregnancy. My boyfriend started to get concerned because he thought I was dehydrated from all the the vomiting and nausea. I decided to call my OB and he told me to go to the hospital. My mother met me at the hospital because my boyfriend was on his way to church. When I got to the hospital the OB said I was dehydrated and... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, September 22, 2010 By ROMINA
Posted On Thursday, September 16, 2010 By chiluyabe
My name is Chilumba Kakusa Yabe I am a Zambian aged 37. I have been trying to have a baby for the past 5 years now, & everytime i get pregnant my blood pressure shoots up abnormally from 20 weeks, & three of my babies have died in my tummy but with the last one my doctor decided to operate on me after 28 weeks of taking all kinds of highblood pressure medicines but the baby died after two days due to the fact that there is no proper equipment in my country that could help a very small baby survive, this has made my life very miserable especially when i see most of my friends with children. I would really love to have a child and experience the joy of being a parent. I would... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, September 15, 2010 By
I had my first child, Brook-lynn, on February 14, 2007. I had just turned 19. That pregnancy was great! No problems at all. I just gained 90+ lbs, because I took the phrase eating for two literally! Then, I became pregnant with my second child, Cheyenne. Everything with that pregnancy was going great.....or so I thought! About 33 weeks into my pregnancy I started seeing flashing spots in my vision and I grew more and more dizzy. So for about a week I just ignored it and said to myself, "Well, like they say,'Every pregnancy is different.' " But, things just started getting worse and I was getting weaker as the days went on. So, I told my husband at around 34 weeks. He... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, September 15, 2010 By
Hey my name is Jessica. I got pregnant when I was 22 years old and throughout my entire pregnancy I was sick 24/7. I found out I was pregnant a week into it so it felt like I was pregnant forever. Anyways through out my pregnancy I was sick day and night the first 2 months I had lost 20 lbs. I couldn't keep anything down and I was in and out of the hospital for dehydration and would stay a day or two and go home. Seemed like no pill would help me. I work at the hospital myself. And I work 12 hour nights and as my pregnancy went on I started getting massive headaches and the doctors thought it was just pregnancy related. So I was put on medicine for that and it seemed to help. Well when... Read More
Posted On Sunday, February 07, 2010 By Paula
I had preeclampsia when I had my son 10 years ago. Since then, I have had trouble recognizing voices on the telephone, even those of people very close to me. I recently learned that this condition is called phonagnosia. It usually results from brain injury or stroke. There is a case documented of someone who had it from birth. Since I didn't, I wondered if it resulted from my preeclampsia? Has any one else had this experience?
Paula Barvin
Posted On Friday, February 05, 2010 By Maribel
Hi my name is Maribel,In May 2006 I found out that I was pregnant. This was going to be my third baby. On September 19 I noticed that I was very swollen and I went to see my doctor. When the doctor was checking to see if the baby was okay, she could not hear the baby's heart beating so the doctor sent me to the ER asap. When I arrived @ the ER my blood pressure was 190. It was very high so they immediately decided to give me an ultrasound to see if the baby was okay. ( I was only 17 weeks pregnant at the time) When they checked they realized that my baby was already dead. This was very devastating for me. This had never happened to me before. The doctor told me that I had... Read More
Posted On Sunday, January 31, 2010 By Rachel
When I found out that I was pregnant May 2001 my husband and I were so excited!! This feeling quickly turned into one of anxiety when my bloodwork came back with all my"numbers" low and the call from the doctor saying that I was probably going to have a miscarriage. We were so upset, this was our first pregnancy and we wanted this so much. Fortunately for us things turned around and my numbers went up and we saw the heartbeat. My pregnancy was mostly typical after that. I was diagnosed with an ulcer at 5 months gestation and had to be put on many medications for this but the baby was doing well. One morning when I was 39 weeks I woke up with what I... Read More
Posted On Sunday, January 31, 2010 By Nikki
Our Little Miracle Life After HELLP Syndrome As I sat with my photographer taking maternity pictures in late August of 2008, I never thought I would be faced with such critical decisions about my health... Read More
Posted On Saturday, January 30, 2010 By Kimberly
I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia at about 32 weeks to the day. I had severely limited vision and a protein count of about 3000. My nightmare really didn't begin until doctors got involved. After my son was born an (unknown to us) umbilical catheter was inserted and it pierced his heart. Nothing was said or attempted but they did an x ray and moved it knowing what happened. He died 5 days later of cardiac effusion all because of incompetent medical care.
Posted On Thursday, January 28, 2010 By Dawn
At 31 weeks, I was having what my doctor quoted a "boring pregnancy". She commented that not very much was going on with me, I barely looked pregnant, and my blood pressure was remarkable. Well that was Wednesday and what may have been her unexpected prediction to something much worse to come. On Friday, I woke up feeling very uncomfortable and was unable to wear my work shoes or my pants. I scrammbled to find footwear that fit and was forced to wear a very uncomfortable pair of flats. Within a few hours of arriving at work, I noticed that my legs were extremely swollen and I couldn't bear to sit. I approached my nurse friend and she said that my... Read More
Posted On Thursday, January 28, 2010 By danairi
My name is Danairi Alfonso and on Halloween 2008 I first discovered to be pregnant. My boyfriend and I were so surprised and thrilled. We were so anxious to tell everyone but waited couple months till we let our news out. I was 23 yrs old, healthy, read a lot of pregnancy books, ate healthy and took my prenatal vitamins. On February 14, 2009, was one of the most memorable and happiest valentine
My name is Danairi Alfonso and on Halloween 2008 I first discovered to be pregnant. My boyfriend and I were so surprised and thrilled. We were so anxious to tell everyone but waited couple months till we let our news out. I was 23 yrs old, healthy, read a lot of pregnancy books, ate healthy and took my prenatal vitamins.
On February 14, 2009, was one of the most memorable and happiest valentine
Posted On Thursday, January 28, 2010 By Sara
I was 32 weeks pregnant when I had suddenly gained over 20 lbs. in one month, and I was only 19. I had headaches and swelling, but never thought anything about, I just assumed it was normal to swell and an occasional headache couldn't mean anything serious. My doctor immediatly called me in to her office and did a urine test for protein and check my blood pressure. It was positive for protein and my BP was around 170/100. It all happened so fast and it was so scary. I was receiving care from a hospital that lacked the ability to care for such an early delivery so I was transported by ambulance to a civilian hospital which had state of the art NICU. I was sent to Labor and Delivery and was... Read More
Posted On Monday, January 25, 2010 By Christine
On July 20, 2009 I went in for a 32 week u/s. I was measuring small from the outside, so my obgyn scheduled an u/s to make sure the baby was growing correctly and there was enough fluid, etc. Everything looked great and the baby was actually slightly bigger then her gestational age, which was a healthy sign. My 1st pregnancy was going perfect. On July 26th I woke up around 4am with severe upper abdominal pain, blurred vision, and an indescribable headache. I had no idea what was going on. I drove to the emergency room and there the triage nurse took my vitals, asked me a series of questions, and put me back in a room in the emergency department. By this point I couldn't sit still the pain... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 19, 2010 By
A year ago, I was feeling pains in my stomach. I was pregnant for the first time and thought... maybe these were just Braxton Hicks, but I started noticing my urine was getting darker and darker and it caused concern. I wasn't sure what was going on because I was a model patient. I hadn't had any problems in my first 32 weeks of pregnancy. We went to the doctor and they found there was a high level of protein in my urine and my blood pressure was elevated. I met with the doctor and she was concerned but said to go home, take it easy, do a urine test over the weekend and to bring it in to have multiple days tested. I took a stress test and baby was fine. I could tell I... Read More
Posted On Saturday, May 15, 2010 By
A happy, healthy married woman, I was 21 years old when we found out we were going to have our first baby! We were over the moon! I got pregnant in late may 2009 and was given a due date of February 26th 2010. I would be 22 at the time. I was being sent to a high risk practice in a fabulous hospital where I live in Baltimore, MD. However I was not high risk, or at least not at the time, but God knew and thank God I was with the practice I was!My grandmother had placenta previa with my mother. The doctors did not think my grandma or mother would make it. Both did. When My mother got pregnant for the first time she developed preeclampsia and had no idea. She went into labor at 35 weeks... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, September 14, 2010 By
My son was born in early March of 2010. I was only 28 weeks pregnant. I had suspected Preeclampsia due to the 12 pounds I gained in two weeks. When a urine test and blood pressure check confirmed it, I cried and cried. I was terrified for my baby, I had never considered prematurity before. I was ambulanced to Toronto and monitored continuously. I felt like a pincushion and was trying very hard to remain calm. My husband stayed with me the whole time in my room. We were trying to wrap our heads around the long hospital stay ahead.Our son was delivered via C-section 4 days after I arrived in Toronto. He was 2.2 pounds and the frailest thing I had ever seen. I got a quick... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, September 14, 2010 By
I had a "normal" pregnancy other than the fact that I was hyperemic in the first trimester. I was considered an "elderly" OB at the time because I was 34 years old. I did not gain a great deal of weight during the pregnancy, only 28 pounds. I led an active life working as the Supervisor of a small hospital Blood Bank. I had expected my baby to be born sometime early in June. It was still May and the doctor seemed content with the progression of the pregnancy, in fact he worked at my hospital, so I felt secure that if anything would happen I would be in good hands. My glucose test had come back slightly elevated at the prescribed 29 week check, so I... Read More
Posted On Friday, September 10, 2010 By Marjorie
My name is Diane Williams, and I am a mother of a preeclampsia survivor and a healthy currently 13 month old granddaughter, Lilleonah.Kata had an almost perfect pregnancy. At 36 weeks, Lille stopped moving. She had been very active since about 18 weeks. Martin,( Kata's boyfriend and Lille's dad) Kata, and I went to the L&D. Her BP was okay and they took a urine sample. The nurses were able to get the fetal kicks and we were sent home about 2 hours later with Kata's urine sample sitting on the tray left untested. The feet were so swollen she could not wear shoes. She had daily headaches and was sleeping almost 16 hours a day if not... Read More
Posted On Monday, January 25, 2010 By Jill
I was about 24/25 weeks along, when I just had thats "feeling" something wasnt right. I was small, I kept thinking when will my "bump" appear? My doctor never measured me. I started noticing my ankles and feet started swelling and I knew that just wasnt normal especially for how little I was and I hadn't gained much weight. I told my doctor and she said it was normal. I didn't believe it. I wish I had insisted more.April 18, 2009 I was in the mall, and I started having pains in my upper right abdomen and I thought it wasnt right and so I had an ambulance come I to get check out. They brought me to the hospital (a different one because I was unsure of the hospital I wanted to deliver... Read More
Posted On Sunday, January 24, 2010 By Jennie
Hello, My name is Jennie. I was 23 when I became pregnant the first time. It was only 5 months since my husband and I were married. It was a bit of a shock but we were so excited. My pregnancy started out good until I had some issues at work. I worked at a hospital in dietary and had to carry,push and pull a lot of heavy equiptment and stock. One day while at work I felt really crampy and just the general feeling of uneasiness like something was wrong. I was only 9 weeks into my pregnancy so I was really scared that I was miscarrying and of course I had just been in the middle of lifting something very heavy. I went immediately to the er. After a long couple hours and 2 ultrasounds... Read More
Posted On Thursday, January 21, 2010 By Olga
My first son was born four weeks before his due date because of preeclampsia. We were lucky to avoid major complications but the whole experience was terrifying. I and my husband never talked about it after our son was born as it was the most frightening thing that ever happen to us. We were simply grateful to be alive. To get pregnant for the first time we went through infertility treatment, so it came as a total surprise to learn 5 years later that I was pregnant again. We were both happy and devastated. Those who know what it takes to have another baby after preeclampsia would understand. Our first son was born in the USA. I got pregnant for the second time when we... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 14, 2010 By Debra
It started the Sunday before Christmas, of 2007.I had gone swimming with some girlfriends to take the mounting pressure of baby belly off my back.The water felt so good, I was weightless! The next day, I had this awful pain in my side. I figured I had over done it at the pool, and decided to rest up.The pain got worse as the days went on. Christmas was comical. I was on the living room floor, in the most intense pain of my life. I still thought "Wow, this must be practice contractions." I wasn't due for another four weeks. I'd convinced myself that I would be going overdue, and having a ten pound baby. I was excited! I wanted to be that woman waddling around,... Read More
Posted On Friday, May 14, 2010 By goldie
I developed HELLP Syndrome in my 36th week of pregnancy with my son. I had been experiencing high blood pressure readings since the 2nd trimester and was monitoring at home. My husband and I had gone out to dinner on January 11th, 2007, and that evening I didn't feel so well. I thought it was indigestion from dinner, but no matter how many Tums I took or how I tried to get comfortable, nothing worked. I was having some mild right quadrant pain, but nothing severe. Finally, at about 4:30 in the morning, I remembered something my OB had said at one of my recent visits. He told me to get medical attention if I started having pain in my upper right quadrant, and I remember... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 13, 2010 By
Today, I can tell you I celebrate the fact I have a beautiful and healthy baby girl, but things didn't start out so well!Here's a little background on how me and Brooke's journey began. Around my 28th week of pregnancy, I was begining to have signs of preeclampsiaia. My symptoms were all the regular ones, like high blood pressure, blurred vision, headaches, severe water retention in the legs/feet/face. I was progressively becoming more sick. So, to make a long story short, in my 30th week I was hospitalized... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 13, 2010 By
My son was born October 25, 2009. He wasn't due until December 1, 2009.On October 14, 2009, I went to the emergency room in my hometown because I was feeling a lot of pain. Turned out I was having "threatened pre-term labor". They sent me to another hospital right away where they are known for their NICU. 2 days into my stay in the hospital I caught H1N1 and they placed me in isolation for a week. The doctors continued to monitor my blood pressure and checked my urine for protein. On October 24, 2009, I was diagnosed with HELLP. My son had to be delivered right away. I delivered him on the 25th. There was blood in my urine and... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 13, 2010 By
Hello -I had an up and down pregnancy last year. I was told I had a 1/8 chance of having a baby with down syndrome so I did an amniocentesis and found he would be okay. It was the most scary time of my life. 1/8! I couldn't believe it since I was 34 and thought I had better odds than that. Anyway, at 29 weeks for my regular check up I went in to my appointment letting my ob-gyn know that my swelling had gotten worse and I was down to only one pair of comfortable shoes. She felt my legs and immediately told me she was going to admit me to the hospital that night and I was done working until the baby came. Of course I was in total disbelief! I had 2 1/2 months to go, how was this... Read More
Posted On Saturday, August 21, 2010 By
When working as a labor and delivery nurse one never feels that all the things you watch out for for your patients could ever happen to you. The "rules" of pregnancy, drinking sufficient water, eating healthy, kick counts, etc... all the things done that most of the patients we see rarely do and yet even in doing all these things as one is supposed to the unthinkable still can happen.At work on a Wed, laboring a 36 week ruptured anorexic teenager with only one other nurse available due to staffing shortage, the day continues to get more and more stressful. The patient reports " I don't eat because I can't get fat and I want to nurse so I can lose as much weight as possible."... Read More
Posted On Saturday, August 07, 2010 By
On Jan 6, 2009 we found out we were pregnant after trying for approximately 8 months and we were overjoyed. My pregnancy was watched by my GP for the first 30 weeks until I had to go see an OB/GYN. I normally have lower blood pressure but through the pregnancy my blood pressure had gone up to more normal levels which didn't concern my GP but she was keeping an eye on it just in case. I met with the OB/GYN at 30 weeks and everything was normal, same with the 33 and 35 week check ups. My ankles and feet had started to get quite swollen but the doctor wasn't concerned since it is normal for pregnant women to have swollen feet. After my 35 week check up (which was a few days after 35... Read More
Posted On Monday, August 16, 2010 By
Hello, my name is Tonya and I was told all my life I wouldn't be able to have any children. Well to my surprise I got pregnant with my daughter Tianna Nicole. I was horribly sick during my pregnancy from about 14 weeks on. Everyone was telling me it was normal pregnancy symptoms but I felt like something was wrong. My mom went with me to one of my appointments and she noticed on the blood pressure machine that mine was high.Since about 14 weeks they (OB Clinic) was telling me I had protein in my urine but they never did a 24 hour urine catch. After this appointment my mom talked me into switching to a private practice instead of a clinic. My first appointment with the private doctor he... Read More
Posted On Friday, August 06, 2010 By
I was very blessed to have wonderful doctors throughout my pregnancy. Everything seemed fine...morning sickness, a little swelling, but nothing out of the ordinary. I did call the doctor's office one morning and got a doctor that was not mine...my lips were swollen...he said not to worry, so I didn't.A few weeks later, I went in for one of my first "every week" appointments...I guess I was about week 34 or 35...my last appointment had been 2 weeks earlier. I felt really horrible, and did not want to eat because I felt so sick. I even had taken to sleeping sitting up....I told my husband I felt like I was drowning if I was lying down (he told me I... Read More
Posted On Thursday, August 05, 2010 By
Posted On Tuesday, March 02, 2010 By Regina
My story begins on August 4, 1997. I was 32 weeks along with my first pregnancy. I woke up that morning with severe abdominal pain and I had chest pain. We called my doctor and I went over to their office right away. My blood pressure was skyrocketing and I was spilling protein in my urine. The doctor sent us to the hospital immediately! As soon as we got to the hospital, they started hooking me up to all of the monitors and my blood pressure was 188/118. They immediately started me on Magnesium Sulfate and my doctor came in and said that he was delivering my baby in one hour. He then took my husband outside the room and told him that I had developed HELLP syndrome. My liver and... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, January 20, 2010 By Christi
I am hopeful that writing all this out will better help me cope and deal with my pregnancy. February of 2009, I found out I was pregnant. That was amazing news after many years of trying and many rounds of fertility drugs due to PCOS. I fell to my knees and began to cry and thank my Heavenly Father. The first 4 months were difficult due to morning sickness. I made it through by taking Zofran three times a day. I had prayed for this child over and over again and decided that I would try and do everything right. I ate really well, worked out, and just took really good care of myself. My little girl was so active all throughout pregnancy. Months 4-6 were so much fun. My energy returned... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, January 20, 2010 By Shannon
I had successfully given birth to two very healthy baby boys, with very uneventful pregnancies, I joked that I was made to have babies. I never even read the chapters or articles in the pregnancy books or magazines that discussed possible problems, thinking "that won't happen to me." How wrong I was! My third pregnancy (another boy) had me extremely swollen, ridiculous really, I had to buy new shoes just to find a pair that I could get my feet in. My blood pressure stayed steady and continually tested negative for protein in urine, so the Dr. basically told me I was having a run of bad luck with this one and stay off my feet as much as possible and keep them... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 19, 2010 By Lisa
I had, what many would consider, a "perfect pregnancy" -- until I got sick. At 28 weeks I had a great prenatal appointment with no complications and appropriate weight gain. Two days latter I had a spitting headache all night that was very difficult to control. I swelled up like a balloon, and for some reason I just stopped urinating. I called my doctors office in the morning to ask just how much Tylenol I could take without harming my baby. Wisely, the nurse asked me to come in to have my blood pressure checked. Grudgingly, not wanting to be sick, I stopped by my doctor's office on my way to work. Sure enough, I had very high blood pressure. ... Read More
Posted On Sunday, January 17, 2010 By Van
After renovating our house for 2 and a half years, after struggling financially for most of our 10 years together our life had finally taken shape. Our first daughter was now 3 and my wife had just given birth to our second daughter. Life was grand and my wife looked like an angel and so happy. You see she did not like being pregnant and was scared when our first daughter was born but the second was much different. She was immediately in love and looked like an angelic mommy. Just as my wife was being discharged the pediatrician on staff informed us that they would be submitting our new born into NICU and given antibiotics in fear that she had a systemic... Read More
Posted On Sunday, January 17, 2010 By April
Hi,I had never heard of HELLP syndrome before. In fact, I didn't know much about preeclampsia either, as I had a healthy first pregnancy and didn't worry myself with such complications. I read "What to Expect When You're Expecting" but always skipped over the part about complications in pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my second son, I remember doing this, saying to myself that this would be a perfect textbook pregnancy as well. Boy, was I so wrong.About one to two months before I delivered, I was getting swelling in my face, hands, and feet. I also experienced tingling in my fingers. I mentioned this to my OB/GYN and he said that I had carpal tunnel - which was common in... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, March 03, 2010 By Whitney
Posted On Thursday, May 13, 2010 By
Hi my name is Adryan,I am Lisa's son. My mom was pregnant with twins and her due date was Dec 23. She was married to my dad who beat her. One day he beat her and she went into labor and had them both on September 25, 2009. My sister was born Lynnzie. May was fighting for her life but gave up and on October 6, 2009 she went to be with our God and my little brother died right after he was born. His name is Tristan Jamie. Now my mom was fighting for her life with cancer and went for brain surgery on April 30, 2010. She is doing well but we are still in the hospital and waiting for the doctors to tell us when we can go home. We both are doing well. Since mom has... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 12, 2010 By
I think a lot of people don't know that eclampsia can hit after giving birth. I have spoken about my condition at a Heart and Stroke Foundation event and am now trying to raise awareness for eclampsia. Everything I have read seems to point to mother's dying in the emergency room due to lack of knowledge on this subject. Doctors just don't know what they are looking at.My story is from April 2008. My husband Chris and I anxioulsy awaited the birth of our first child, we had no idea whether it was a boy or a girl. We were 1 week overdue and our family GP decided it was time to induce me. They put in the gel and I went in to labor like I was supposed to. I seemed to have an... Read More
Posted On Thursday, May 06, 2010 By Dina
My Story. My Daughter Alexis was born at 31 weeks, 3 lbs. 6 oz. and 17 3/4 inches due to severe preeclampsia. This is my 2nd pregnancy. My first was delivered full term with no preeclampsia and my only issue was Gestational Diabetes which was under control via diet.This time I was really sick. No Gestational Diabetes but severe morning sickness for the first 6 months. I was fine up until the week I had her. I began not feeling well one Sunday. My feet were swollen but my doctor was not concerned and my BP was a little high, but I can run hIgh and not on meds. I did not feel the baby move at all that Sunday so I went to L&D. They took the test via swab of cervix to see if I was... Read More
Posted On Monday, May 03, 2010 By
My pregnancy was going great! I was so excited for my first child. Then out of nowhere things got bad. At 28 1/2 weeks I woke up completely swollen EVERYWHERE! I called my ob/gyn &and they told me to come in. When they took my Blood Pressure it was 188/110. I was then sent to the hospital where they kept me for 8 hours monitoring me and my baby. Eventually the swelling went down a little and my BP became better so they diagnosed me with Gestational Hypertension and put me on bed rest (which is not fun!). I was put on BP medication and had to see a perinatologist twice a week and also had to have a NST (non stress test) twice a... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, May 05, 2010 By
I developed preeclampsia on 5/25/98 at 25 weeks along and I had to deliver the baby via c-section. Emilia weighed a little over 1 pound and lived for 7 days. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to experience. She was my first child, and I still feel responsible for what happened to her. I feel that I wasn't informed at all about this condition during my pregnancy and I maybe could've changed things had I known.
Posted On Friday, July 30, 2010 By
I don't really know where to start my story. I knew I had preeclampsia but I had so much going on in my life that I didn't suspect or even think something could happen to me. Lets start when I was 16 weeks pregnant. I was traveling into the mountains, a snow storm hit so fast when I rounded the mountain, I lost control of my vehicle and hit a ten passenger van head on. It was a very scary moment. I remember hearing a pop. I didn't have blood anywhere. My windows weren't cracked. I couldn't open my door. I couldn't find my cell phone to call my husband. I was lost. Finally, a gentleman pried open my jeep door. He let me... Read More
Posted On Monday, August 02, 2010 By
Hi, I just don
Posted On Sunday, July 25, 2010 By
I was 24 weeks, 2 days, when out of nowhere I was being admitted to the hospital and rushed into surgery for a c-section because I had a BP of 251/175, and my baby girl, Sadie Quinn, was in distress. My baby was delivered (via classic c-section) and survived only a few minutes, due to "severe preeclampsia/HELLP and low birth weight" (as printed on her death certificate). She was only 365 grams, but truly the most beautiful and precious thing I had EVER laid my eyes on. We held our beautiful baby girl for as long as we could, crying and praying that this was just a nightmare and she wasn't gone. I was in ICU for 2 nights, then moved to a floor for 2 more nights, while... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 21, 2010 By
Hi. I'm new to this forum but I believe that the women here can understand what I'm about to write and any insight would be so appreciated. I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia when I was 25 weeks pregnant. I got hospitalized right away...my BP was 196/114. It was pandemonium to say the least. They straight out told me I was 24 hours away from having a stroke and dying. It was the scariest time of my life. They managed to bring down my BP and keep my baby in me until he had to be delivered at 27wks. He was born a little over a pound. He was in the NICU for 4 months and he's now 4 years old and I have to say, after 5 surgeries that he had to undergo because of his prematurity, he is... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, July 21, 2010 By
June 18, 1982: Sarah was conceived and I experienced a very normal pregnancy. I was 28 and this was my first pregnancy, so I was nutritionally and physically fit. Working out regularly and losing any extra weight before I conceived was a goal, so I began the pregnancy weighing 127 pounds, which is good for my petite 5'4" height. My mother had three normal deliveries and I read all the books available. Of course I skipped over the chapter on preeclampsia, since I just KNEW that would not be a problem for me. My husband and I decided that I would substitute teach instead of renewing my teaching contract. As the Thanksgiving holidays approached, I began to eat sweets and high... Read More
Posted On Saturday, July 17, 2010 By
During my first pregnancy I was only 17 and trying to deal with life. I lived in a maternity home for women needing help. I got a lot of help learning what I would need after my baby boy was born but no one told me that I would be fighting for my life before he even got here! During my 7th month of pregnancy I keep telling my doctor that something was wrong. I didn't feel right! She would just tell me that this was my first pregnancy and that I didn't know how I was suppose to feel! I stayed this way until 36 weeks with slightly elevated BP's but nothing severe until the day I passed out while walking down the hall at the maternity home! When... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 15, 2010 By
We were ecstatic to find out we were going to have a baby. The first time we saw him was on our one year wedding anniversary. He was about the size of a blueberry so we nicknamed him Blue. He was conceived on Christmas Day and we thought he was the ultimate Christmas present. My pregnancy was completely normal. Prior to pregnancy the only medical problem I had was Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). It was controlled with Metformin. I stopped taking it after 12 weeks gestation, per my doctor's advice. My endocrinologist also agreed it would not make a difference to take it... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 15, 2010 By
I started having really bad back pain on Friday. It wasn't the normal back pain like I had had with my first pregnancy and it didn't feel like contractions. The pains were in the middle of my back and were constant. It felt as if they radiated threw my back into my chest and it was mainly at night.I had the worst time sleeping. I would take Tylenol which would only work for a short time and I switched positions so many times trying to get comfortable. I already had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and they were doing an ultrasound to check on the nutrition of the baby because I was measuring small and also was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the beginning of the pregnancy. So I... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, July 20, 2010 By
I had a wonderful pregnancy, relatively complication free until I was diagnosed with preeclampsia at 37 weeks. I was at my routine checkup, and expecting no problems to arise, just like all our past visits. We were running a little late, so I was stressed at being late for the appointment. Much to my surprise, our whole world was rocked in a matter of minutes. At the visit, my blood pressure was pretty high and I also had protein in my urine. I remember saying, we were rushing to get here, so that is probably why my BP is high. The look on the doctor's face is something I will always remember. I realized that things were more severe than I was... Read More
Posted On Saturday, January 16, 2010 By Jason
As I write this, I am actually sitting in the hospital, next to my wife who is asleep in the hospital bed. She has been in the hospital for 8 days now. Yesterday was our 30 week gestation period. What started as a routine OBGYN appointment turned into a small nightmare. Upon arrival to the hospital on the Army post where my wife and I live, her blood pressure was found to be extremely high. The doctor admitted her for observation and ordered blood pressure checks every 15 minutes and a 24 hour urinalysis check. We received the results of the urinalysis check the next afternoon. The doctor told us that 300 was a good level of protein in the urine. My wife's level was 1100. They... Read More
Posted On Saturday, January 16, 2010 By Sarah
Hello, my name is Sarah and I am 29 living in New Zealand. I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy. Luckily it was diagnosed early and we had a very happy outcome. Here is our story: The first 28 weeks of our pregnancy ran smoothly, I was healthy and baby was growing well. I have a health condition (IBD) which can lead to the baby being born small so I was scheduled for regular ultrasounds and obstetrician appointments. At one of the OBS appointments, my BP was taken as per usual and read 140/90. As I had a BP reading of 126/60 at my first prenatal appointment, the obstetrician was now less focused on my IBD but on my elevated blood... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 29, 2010 By
I am a very lucky woman. I hear that every time I tell my story. I am a 37 year old mother of three. My oldest daughter was born at 33 weeks after I was finally diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. I had major swelling.......gained 20 lbs in one week. Maggie was in the NICU for 2 weeks and did very well. She had respiratory issues until she was about 3, but is a healthy active almost 10 year old now. We felt we had been very lucky. The stress and emotional battles did not keep us from having our second daughter two years later. We were optimists and had been told that HELLP syndrome does not typically occur in second pregnancies and should we be the rare case it would be... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, April 27, 2010 By
In June of 1986 is were my story begins. I was 7 months pregnant, happily married or so I thought when my baby's father told me he was leaving. This of course placed a lot of stress on me, so I made sure to keep a regular check on the baby with my health care provider. I didn't have a family doctor at the time, I was being cared for at the health clinic in my town, but I was assured at each visit that things were going fine. Since I wasn't working at the time, I moved in with my parents, which was the best decision I ever made. In my 9th month I began to worry, I was already under an enormous amount of stress, and then my grandfather died. Three weeks later my whole life... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 09, 2010 By
My husband and I were married in June of 2002. I am a bit older than he so we decided to try for a child right away and much to our surprise we succeeded. My first pregnancy was miserable and things were complicated with gestational diabetes and such but no preeclampsia. Our baby boy Lucas is now 7 and wonderfully feisty.We conceived shortly after Lucas was born and I suffered a terrible labored miscarriage at 13 weeks with our second child. We really wanted a sibling for Lucas and another child and we tried for several years and finally conceived Lyndzie. I had no concerns at all during this pregnancy and I pasted my glucose test with flying colors so no GD. Towards the... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 09, 2010 By
Hello, My name is Allison and I'm here to tell my preeclampsia story. First, I want to thank the Preeclampsia Foundation for their awesome efforts to spread the word and educate about the dangers of preeclampsia. I wish I would have found this particular site while I was going through the signs and symptoms.I was 28 years old, my first pregnancy, and aside from the normal morning sickness I felt great being pregnant. I was enjoying every single moment. At 25 weeks I came home from a normal 8 hour shift of work, being on my feet and noticed I had major ankle swelling and edema. So much you couldn't see my ankle bones. I'm a sonographer at a... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 09, 2010 By Erin
I am Jyoti Sharma from India. In Feb. 2009 I conceived after 10 years of marriage at an age of 37 years. It was a precious and happy moment for us. We were having our regular visits to our gynecologist and everything was smooth. On Sep. 3, 2009, it was my husband's birthday. We visited the hospital and our doctor told us to get admitted as my blood pressure was on the higher side but she assured us nothing is very serious as such. She told me to be on complete bed rest and if the blood pressure is not normal by noon tomorrow you should get yourself admitted in the hospital. The next day I got my BP checked from the nearby nursing home and it was high. I contacted the... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 09, 2010 By Christine
I was always told that life was like a rollercoaster ride. I never knew what that meant until March 5, 2008. Here is my story.I guess you can say I was living the "American Dream". I married my High School sweetheart and bestfriend whom I met at age 11. Josh was busy climbing the corporate ladder and I was traveling the state of Iowa as a motivational speaker for high school seniors. We bought our first home, a Craftsman/Stucco home that we fell in love with at first sight. We remodeled the kitchen and added on a baby suite. We had everything planned out in the right order and everything was going so perfect. We planned a... Read More
Posted On Thursday, July 08, 2010 By
I usuallly am a great conversationalist. For once I don't know exactly how to start so I'll ramble on my story to the best of my ability. It has been 6 days. Dark days since I felt an inch of light. Last moment of light, holding my beautiful baby boy Caleb Montiel in my arms. Though his breath was gone and his eyes were closed, I knew his spirit was still in this shell I carried.Caleb Montiel passed in my womb at 25 weeks. I delivered my baby boy on July 2. Although weird or abnormal to some I held him in my arms and slept with him in my arms that night. I could feel his spirit. I knew exactly when his spirit left his body... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 08, 2010 By Jamie
I want to tell my story so that I can give other women hope. I had preeclampsia while pregnant with my child. It was a complete shock. I had never heard of it, never seen it, and never knew of anyone who had a complicated pregnancy which resulted in extremely premature birth. I was first diagnosed with preeclampsia at 29 weeks. I was diagnosed, sent to the nearest hospital which was able to facilitate my needs (and was also 1 1/2 hrs. from home), and delivered my son all within a single weekend. this was the most horrify experience of my life. I acknowledged the fact that I my own health and even life was on the line and in danger, but the... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 08, 2010 By Jayne
At 33 years of age with my first pregnancy I had pre-eclampsia. I was informed that if I were to have any more children that the chances of it reoccurring were slight. However, five years later during the birth of my second son I had it more severe with the onset of HELLP syndrome, nearly losing my sight. but with the aid of magnesium sulphate and a long hospital stay my son and I survived. I was not informed that this was so dangerous. Unfortunately, because I was not informed that if there was a 'next time' I did not look into sterilization and fell pregnant for a third time (unplanned) within ten months of giving birth. My GP and 2 perinatologists informed me... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 23, 2010 By
I had a great pregnancy. We were so excited as it took us about 2 years to get pregnant in the first place. I was first diagnosed with PCOS, so in order to get pregnant, was put on Metformin and rounds of Clomid. When that didn't work, we did an IUI with an Ovadryl shot which did work. We were even more excited at 20 weeks when we found out it was a boy. I didn't have any problems until 5 months pregnant with severe headaches. I was prescribed Tylenol. Repeat headaches. They recommended Tylenol 3 which I refused to taken for fear that it would affect the baby even though they told me it would not.Around 32-34 weeks, my left leg started to swell and I... Read More
Posted On Friday, April 23, 2010 By
Hi, my name is Alyssa McLaughlin. I'm 19 years old and I was 5 months pregnant when I got severe preeclampsia. It was at 11pm January 31st when my husband and I got home from Walmart. I had to buy some Tylenol because what I thought was severe rib pain was hurting so badly I couldn't sleep or walk. It hurt to even breath. I went to the hospital but they said nothing appeared wrong and it might be bronchitis. Right when we got in our driveway I threw up and my whole body swelled up. It was so scary I was crying. I had my husband go get my mom. She asked if I recently took anything new that I might be allergic to and I said no I haven't. I've taken the things and eaten the... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 22, 2010 By
My name is Melisa. I am 22 years old and live in Arizona. I recently had my daughter Jayden Lynn who was born on May 13, 2009. I've had a history of high blood pressure since I was 18 years old, but nobody could get it under control with any medications. I developed severe preeclampsia when I was 20 weeks pregnant with Jayden and was admitted to the Hospital. The doctors kept trying so hard to push me into having her, but I would tell them no. I ended up having her May 13, 2009 which was at 23wks 4days. She wasn't due until September 5, 2009. I chose to have a c-section because I knew she wouldn't survive a vaginal birth with all the stress that would be caused to her. My doctor put the... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, July 06, 2010 By
Hi everyone. I am new to this forum, and I am here because I have reached the end of my rope with my health and how I feel since I had my son. I had him at 30 weeks and I suffered severe preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome. I came very close to death and I have never felt normal since. I have gone to my cardiologist and my family doctor...I swear they all think I'm crazy...but I'm NOT!!Everyday i feel horrible...my vision is blurry, I'm dizzy all the time, I just feel out of it a LOT, I get very weird headaches. I'm exhausted all the time. I have numbness and tingling in my arms and legs and sometimes I feel like I can't breathe. I could list a hundred more weird symptoms, but you... Read More
Posted On Saturday, July 03, 2010 By
I had 3 different pregnancies all with preeclampsia. I had swelling of the feet, hands & face but never suffered from headaches. I was put in the hospital a week before my first childbirth due to high blood pressure. I had started throwing up and had broken blood vessels in my eyes. My first baby was born 8/30/89 by c-section. Healthy baby girl born with a heart murmur.My second childbirth I was told it was unlikely to have repeat preeclampsia but they would keep watch. Again, I never felt the high blood pressure. I always felt fine. The doctor checked me and said I want you on bed rest, I do not like your blood pressure. When you feel fine it is hard to rest. Once the... Read More
Posted On Saturday, June 26, 2010 By
I began to show symptoms during the seventh month of my first pregnancy. I swelled up; my face was puffy, I had to wear my wedding ring on a necklace and I could only wear sandals. I knew my OB was concerned, but I don't think I knew why. This continued until my ninth month when my blood pressure starting edging up. During my 40 week checkup my blood pressure was higher and I had protein in my urine. I was diagnosed with preeclampsia; my OB scheduled me to be induced, but I went into labor before they had a chance. My son arrived healthy and perfect at 7lbs. My preeclampsia developed into HELLP syndrome and I spent 5 days in the hospital until my blood count and... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 08, 2010 By Mary
My daughter had migraines, horrible indigestion, pain in her right side, very very swollen ankles and legs. When she complained to her ob/gyn, she was told she had normal, end of pregnancy complaints and she would be fine. She was 40 weeks pregnant. She called me and was sick and vomitting, couldn't keep anything down (this had been going on for months), I said to call her dr. She did, they said to do a fetal kick count and call back. They had her go to the hospital and they did some tests, no protein in her urine. They sent her home, saying she would have the baby that weekend. She was only dilated to 1/2 to 1 centimeter. Late that Sunday, her... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, January 05, 2010 By Kathie
Until my 15th week in pregnancy, it seemed like everything was going just normal like all the books and websites told me it would be. Around my 15th week, we took a trip down to Tennessee (in the beginning of June), and that's when I started to notice some swelling in my ankles and feet. I thought it was caused by the heat and humidity, so I hoped it would disappear when we got home. Unfortunately, it didn't. My midwife checked my blood pressure and protein levels and I was fine at the time, but she would continue to monitor it and she gave me some advice about my diet to prevent it from getting worse. Some family situations came up, and I didn't really pay as much attention to my diet as I... Read More
Posted On Monday, January 04, 2010 By Miranda
THIS IS OUR STORY....My first pregnancy back in 2003 seemed to be normal to me. Until about my 33 week. I was extremely swollen, couldn't hardly walk with out being in pain, headaches that would not go away, not able to keep any food down, high blood pressure and very flushed feeling. My Ob office proceeded to tell me that my BP was high from walking from the parking lot to the office. Being my first pregancy I trusted them. That weekend my husband and I took a trip (about 3 hrs away) to visit my family. My cousin is a nurse and worked in Labor and Delivery. She was so concerned that something wasn't right with me. And was praying nothing happened while I was there. She... Read More
Posted On Friday, January 01, 2010 By Dawn
It was December 23, 2009 when I went to my doctor for my 38 week visit. This was my first pregnancy and I had been blessed with a wonderful pregnancy as well. Throughout my 38 weeks of pregnancy, I never once felt sick, tired and gained on 26 pounds. I actually enjoyed my time being pregnant. However, all that changed two days before Christmas. On my routine visit that typically took 5 to 10 minutes, I was informed that my blood pressure was too high and there was a high level of protein in my urine.Never hearing of Preeclampsia, I didn't become alarmed. I was sent to the hospital for further testing. I felt fine with no other symptoms until... Read More
Posted On Monday, April 19, 2010 By
I remember coming to this website looking for hope after having HELLP Syndrome with my first pregnancy, so I wanted to come back and post my story to give hope to anyone in the same position. My first pregnancy went very smoothly, I was all about having a natural birth. I exercised regularly and ate well. I did however seem to be putting on a lot of water weight but my doctors said it was normal. I gave birth at almost 41 weeks. I needed to be induced because my water broke and I was not contracting. So a little over 24 hours after my water broke I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She looked super healthy to me but the doctors were concerned due to several factors... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 15, 2010 By
I was hospitalized with preeclampsia at 23 weeks. I tried to stay pregnant for as long as possible. My beautiful son, Ayden Joshua Williams, was born at 24 1/2 weeks on 3/18/2010 at 6:09 PM. He was spunky and fighting all the way.He was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. He passed away on 4/6/2010 at 2:35 am in our arms. He contracted an infection in the NICU, and could not fight it due to the lack of his immune system, as he was born premature.Although he was here for a short time, he will always be loved. Ayden was our first child. I pray he knew we loved him, we wanted him so badly, but God decided to take him home. I know I will see my beautiful, sweet... Read More
Posted On Thursday, April 15, 2010 By
Hello. My name is Samantha. I have experienced preeclampsia twice now. My first son was born 9 weeks and 1 day premature by emergency c-section because of my preeclampsia. I had a very quick onset in his case and don't think they could have caught it any sooner than they did. They gave me steroids before he was born so that his lungs would develop more rapidly. He was born at 3lbs 12 oz and was in the NICU for only 12 days. He never had any complications to speak of and was gaining weight fairly well. He is now 3.5 years old but everyone thinks he's at least 5! He has had a problem with seizures and has been seeing a pediatric neurologist for the past two years, with no results or... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, April 14, 2010 By
My name is Jennifer. I am both a product and survivor of preeclampsia. I was born at 29 weeks in 1984, weighing 2 lbs. 8 oz. and have been healthy since. I am now 25 years old and just recently lost my first child, Kelsie Mae due to severe preeclampsia. I was diagnosed at 27 weeks and sent to hospital bed rest. I delivered a healthy baby girl, Kelsie Mae, on January 10 ,2010. She weighted 2 lbs. exactly. She was doing great in the NICU and I truly thought she would come home to my husband and I. She had no problems with her lungs and was close to being on room air when disaster struck!We had an observational surgery to see what was causing her to bloat in her belly, nothing was... Read More
Posted On Saturday, March 13, 2010 By Jamie
Our first baby was born in April 2008. I had gestational diabetes with him, and he was born 2 weeks early. Because of the diabetes we had several complications. He had a feeding tube due to being very dehydrated. His blood sugar was very low, and he had no energy to nurse. He actually never did breastfeed and several of the nurses felt that our due date was wrong, and that he was actually more like a month early. So, I was prepared in my second pregnancy in March 2009 to have diabetes again. We were very surprised when I didn't get it after all. I felt great, although very, very tired ALL the time. My blood pressure in my first pregnancy was on the low end and same with this... Read More
Posted On Thursday, March 11, 2010 By Mary
I am a first time Mom to a beautiful baby boy named Tyler who is now 10.5 months old.At about 20 weeks into my pregnancy my blood pressure began to creep up a little bit, but it was nothing alarming. My doctor kept an eye on it and eventually tested me for preeclampsia (24 hour urine), which came back negative.About 6 months into my pregnancy, my feet started to swell and the blood pressure was still an issue, though my doctor did not put me on bed rest or put me on any medications. Just for peace of mind, I bought a home BP monitor.I was going weekly to my doctor for blood pressure checks. I also had low Thyroid levels and was on medication for that, but other... Read More
Posted On Sunday, February 21, 2010 By Jennifer
My first pregnancy started out an uncomplicated one. No morning sickness, very little cravings and very little weight gain. This was up until my 3rd trimester - once I hit 30 weeks, it all changed. I started to have some problems with my blood pressure. It was getting way too high for this point in my pregnancy. It had been normal, in the 120's/130's over 70's/80's, and then in started raising to the high 140's/low 150's over high 80's/low 90's. My obstetrician of course caught it right away, and advised me to lower my activity level. This was difficult for me because I was working full time and didn't intend on backing off. I was visiting the office weekly, and in one of my urine samples,... Read More
Posted On Friday, July 02, 2010 By
I found out I was pregnant in July 2009. My husband and I had just gotten married in June 2009 and were thrilled we got pregnant so fast. We had planned to start trying right away. At our first ultrasound we found out we had a single vessel umbilical cord. The doctors reassured us that lots of babies are born with a cord like this (1 in 100) and told us everything would be okay. I researched it over and over again. I didn't like some of the things I read but overall our baby had a 75% chance of being "normal." Everything was progressing as should be. I was mostly tired at first and had a few slight headaches, nothing major. No swelling really, ankles... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, June 22, 2010 By
January 2, 2009, at just 27 weeks pregnant, I went into the hospital with high blood pressure, swelling, and other complications. I was told that I needed to stay overnight to have a urine test and to monitor the baby. After the initial 24 hours they determined that I had preeclampsia. My BP had come down and the nurses thought that maybe I would get to go home but that wasn't the case. I met with the high risk OB and he did an ultrasound to see how our baby was doing. He said that he hadn't grown since the 20 week ultrasound and so I was ordered to stay on bed rest until the birth of my son. Unfortunately that happened a lot sooner then we... Read More
Posted On Monday, June 21, 2010 By
In November 2008 my daughter in her 24th week of pregnancy at age 21 had facial swelling, trouble with her vision and complained of a headache ( all of this came on in just one day ). I am a cardiac ICU nurse and remembered from nursing school that these symptoms were not a good thing in pregnancy. I called the OB doc and was told it was probably just a headache and to take Tylenol. After day two of this I brought a BP cuff home from work and checked her BP myself at home and it was 190/102. I called the OB doc again and was again told it was probably not anything to worry about and to call the doc the next day for an appointment for her. I told them we were going to the ER and... Read More
Posted On Wednesday, December 30, 2009 By Mindy
Hi...My name is Mindy and I have an almost 3 year old son named Andrew and here is my story...I was 19 when I was preggo with Andrew and I had a rough pregnancy. I was on bedrest from 16 wks till I delivered. I suffered from sciatic nerve pain and swelling all over. I was miserable to say the least but never had any known problems with preeclampsia. I would go to my OB visits and sometimes I was unable to use the bathroom to give them urine to test so it was no big deal they said I was fine. My water broke on its own one morning when I was 37 wks along and I went to the Dr and they sent me to the hospital on a Monday morning around 1100am. I had a hard and rough delivery with little... Read More
Posted On Tuesday, December 15, 2009 By Mindy
I was diagnosed with preelcampsia in week 35 of pregnancy. I was placed on bed rest for four days but when it was determined that this was not helping my condition the baby was delivered via C-section. The baby was born perfectly healthy at 5 lbs 2.7 oz and 17 inches He did not have to spend any time in the NICU and soon after delivery he was brought to my hospital room. The baby and I were released from the hospital within 96 hours of delivery and within two weeks my blood pressure had returned to normal. The baby and I have not suffered any long term effects and although I was a little surprised at his early arrival everything is great!
Posted On Saturday, December 12, 2009 By Laura
I was thirty weeks pregnant. This was my first child. On August 1, 2008, I woke up around 3 am with a bad headache, which wasn't uncommon in my pregnancy. I took some fast acting Tylenol and laid back down. I couldn't go back to sleep and the headache wasn't going away. My husband was soon up to commute to his construction job for the summer. I put a cold rag on my head to try and soothe the pain. The headache only got worse. I called my doctor's office as soon as it opened, and they said I should go to the Emergency Room. But, silly me, I thought, "I don't need to go to the ER just for a headache, especially since I just went to the doctor yesterday and he said everything was fine." I... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 07, 2009 By Amanda
For all of you that don't know, this is going to be hard, but today I feel strong, so I am deciding to write my version of the tragic event that forever changed my life. No one ever talks about what could happen, or tells you about diseases to look out for during pregnancy. I bet 90% of women don't know what Severe pre-eclampsia or HELLP disease is. I did not...if I did it could have saved baby Cara's life, not to mention it almost took my own! October 10 2009 I noticed I seemed to be (for a lack of better description) leaking...I called the OB on call right away and they told me to come into labor and delivery. I did and after running a few tests they said I was not leaking.... Read More
Posted On Monday, December 07, 2009 By Julie
My story begins with my third pregnancy. My first two pregnancies went very well, both delivered to term, natural childbirth, no complications, very fast deliveries. My third started out the same way, I got pregnant when my second daughter was 5 months old. This was not a planned pregnancy, but we were happy none the less. We wanted 4 children. I had always enjoyed being pregnant, I suffer from migraines, but never had them while pregnant. My pregnancy was progressing normally, until about 34 weeks, that's when I noticed some swelling in my ankles. I had told my doctor at my last appt. that I was a little concerned and I was told to relax and keep my feet elevated. At my last appt., I was... Read More
Posted On Sunday, November 08, 2009 By
When I was pregnant with my first son, I found out at 24 weeks he was missing half his umbillical artery, called "SUA" or single vessel cord. The fact that he was missing the cord was reason enough for alarm, as my body would have to compensate for the rest to get him through pregnancy. I was terrified and warned that chances for my pregnancy to continue were not good. The, at about 28 weeks, I started having unusual swelling of my hands and feet - so bad I could barely wear flip flops. I started gaining water weight and felt like I had a water sack hanging on my belly. I contacted the doctor, who told me to stay off my feet and try to do as little as possible. I hun in for another 3 weeks.... Read More