My name is Diana G. but everyone knows me as Dee. I was 23 yearsPosted On Thursday, August 26, 2010 by Diana |
|
My name is Diana G. but everyone knows me as Dee. I was 23 years old, when I got pregnant. I was in good health and in decent shape. I thought I took the necessary precautions (pregnancy vitamins, monthly doctor visits, normal weight gain until the 5th month.) At six months, my doctor and I started noticing an abnormal weight gain. I had gone from gaining 2-3 lbs, to gaining 9lbs my sixth month and 10 lbs my 7th month. At my 28th week visit, the doctor noticed my blood pressure was high, but she thought it was because of the walk from the parking lot to her office. We also noticed that I had lost my ankles. They were beyond swollen, but again we assumed it was because of the walk and heat. Well, that weekend was my birthday weekend and my husband and a few friends went to Laughlin to celebrate my birthday. In Laughlin, I kept getting abdominal pain and massive headaches, not to mention the swelling in my ankles had spread to my feet, legs and hands. I figured it was the heat. Once the weekend was over and we went back home, the pain was still present and the headaches were incredible. I told my mom about it and she asked me to go to the doctor. Of course, I figured I would tough it out. The following week (29th week) my family was working on decorations and preparing things for my baby shower which was going to be that Saturday. My family was shocked when they saw my legs and arms, even my face was swelling up. By Tuesday my vision was acting funny, I was starting to see spots. Thursday rolled along, and everyone was getting excited for the baby shower my sister, best friend and brother in law's wife were making final preparations for the baby shower. My brother- in-law's wife looked at my legs and said they looked abnormal. I told her, I thought so too. To be honest, my legs were hurting. I felt that my skin was stretching out so much it might rip from all the swelling. She advised me to go to the doctor. I was being stubborn and didn't want to go. I kept telling them I was fine. My husband called the on-call nurse and they told him to take me to the hospital as soon as possible. My husband was worried, so at this point I agreed to go to the hospital. As I left my house my brother-in-law's wife joked and said "call us if you go into labor." We arrived at the hospital and they began doing all kinds of tests, they took my blood pressure at least 3 times. Then they decided to leave me in a dark room all alone for 20 min. and then came back to take my blood pressure. After they took my blood pressure, the doctor came in the room with a little white pill in his hand and told me he had to induce me. What are you talking about? I questioned. It's not time! My baby wasn't due for another 10 weeks. Panic kicked in. My family was notified, and my husband was trying to be as calm as possible. I was hooked to an IV and Magnesium Sulfate. Soon after my family arrived. Nothing happened all night, but my headaches were getting worst and now I was throwing up. My head felt like a huge balloon. The next day (Friday), everything looked normal, except for my blood pressure. Family and friends were stopping by to visit, we chatted and had a few laughs. In my head, I thought I was just going to be on bed rest and then later on that night they would send me home, since I wasn't really dilating anyway. I was wrong, in the late afternoon the nurses were coming in and out of room, checking my blood pressure every 15 mins. They asked me if I wanted the epidural and I denied it. I wanted to have this baby naturally. Again, at this point I had no idea what was going on. They said I was only 2 1/2 cm dilated. I even asked If I would be able to make it to my baby shower the next day. The nurse came in and asked me if she can give me the epidural, again I said no. A few minutes later the doctor came in and told me I should consider taking the epidural, because it can help me relax and dilate. I said no again. The doctor asked to speak to my husband and they walked outside. My mother was by my side. After 15 mins., my husband calls my mother outside. 20 mins later my husband, mother and father come in and asked me to please take the epidural. They acted calm and relaxed, but by the looks in their faces, I can tell something was wrong. My mother asked me to please take the epidural for the baby. I took the epidural, but my blood pressure was still going up. At 5:20 in the morning and 9cm dilated the doctor decided it was time to push. There were four doctors and like five nurses in my room. My son was tiny, it only took three big pushes and he was out. He weighed 4 lbs. 9oz. I was able to hold him for a few seconds, then he was cleaned and rushed to the NICU. I was in the ICU for 2 days and was not able to see my son until the third day. Family visits were cut short, due to my blood pressure. Eventually my blood pressure went back to normal after a few weeks and my son came home after 2 weeks. I saw my discharge papers and I had been diagnosed with preeclampsia/toxemia. He is a strong baby. My son is now 3 years old, very healthy and active. He is currently diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and I wonder if it was due to the preeclampsia that caused his premature birth. |
|
|
Please login to write comment
Featured
Make a Difference
Help us continue our vital research, education and advocacy programs.
Join Our Mailing List
Copyright © 2013 Preeclampsia
Foundation. All rights reserved.