I was diagnosed at 27 weeks and 5 days

Posted On Sunday, November 28, 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 bad indigestion.  I was already seeing a specialist because I have chronic high blood pressure as it is.  I went to my montly appt the following week and my blood pressure was very high but not a lot of protein in my urine so my specialist prescribed some high blood pressure meds to me and said I had to come back the next day.  Well, my blood pressure was still high so she increased the dosage and put me on home bed rest.  Two days later, my blood pressure was still high and I had the pain again in my stomach.  This time I went to the emergency room only to be sent home because my blood pressure had stablilzed when I was there.  I was given steroid shots for my baby's longs and the NICU doctor had come in to talk to us.  It's funny because I never thought my baby would end up in the NICU.  Here I was in the hospital and I have to say I was still pretty ignorant to how sick I was or how much preeclampsia was going to affect my life.

Two days later I went to see my specialist and my blood pressure was up again and this time an increase in protein in my urine.  She sent me straight to Labor and Delivery where it was decided that I would be having an emergency C section.  I was 27 weeks 5 days.  My daughter was not due until Sept 5th!  I remember hearing her cry when she was born and how I only got a glimpse of her  before they took her away.  I was not able to see her the next two days because I was hooked up to magnesium sulfate.  My ob/gyn came in and told me I had severe preeclampsia and was very lucky to have not have had a seizure.  I have to say it took this to bring me back to God.  I grew up in the Catholic church but had lost my way through the years.  I hadn't prayed or spoken to God in years.  Well, my baby was in the NICU 59 days.  I went to see her twice a day and my husband came when he could since his job was an hour from where we lived.  It was the hardest 59 days of my life, but after years of not speaking to God, he heard me.  I brought my baby girl Madelyn Elaine home.  She is now 5 months old and full of life and energy!  I thank God everyday for my miracle baby.  She is my and my husband's world.

I would love to have another child but I don't want to go through that again.  I don't want to put another child through that again, the wires, the monitors, the shots.  I would NEVER wish this upon anyone.

I have attached a picture of my beautiful former 27 week 5 day old preemie.