New Here. May I join?

[rach]

I'm not sure where my introduction should go, so I'll just post it here.
I found this site through a Google search on PreEclampsia.

Short Version:
In August 2003, I gave birth at 35 weeks to Eva, 4 pounds 7 ounces due to Pregnancy Induced Hypertension/Pre Eclampsia. I had a C Section, because during our induced labor, her heartrate kept dropping and I wasn't dialating.
She's a healthy baby girl and is gaining weight like a champion!

Long Version:
With my daughter, I was 21, she was my first pregnancy and everything *seemed* to be going okay. I say seemed, because I had a gradual rise in blood pressure through out my entire pregnancy, and my doctor wasn't too worried since it was gradual, and not sudden. I did have some issues with weight gain [16 pounds in 2 weeks at one point!] but since I had no other symptoms, again, she wasn't worried.
At my 34 week appointment, my blood pressure was through the roof! They had me lay on my side and took my blood pressure two more times, before my doctor came in and briefed me on my situation. I was spilling +3 protein in my urine. She sent me to labor and delivery for blood tests and monitoring and depending on the results I would either stay in the hospital, go home on bedrest OR get sent to a bigger hospital. [In my small town, you can NOT deliver before 35 weeks.] Of course, I was airlifted to a bigger hospital across the state.
There, they put me on magnesium to lower my blood pressure and kept me on bedrest w/ bathroom priveledges. I *knew* something wasn't right, but they kept assuring me my blood pressure was the only problem. After a few days, they wanted to send me home. Finally my mother arrived in town and the next morning [day 5] they decided they'd discharge me under the condition that I stay in town for 2 days, return for a check up and depending on that, I could go home. That morning, they took my blood. A doctor came in and told me they were discharging me. Someone came and took my blood AGAIN. Then I was woken up a while later with the news that I would be delivering that day.
In their rush to get my blood pressure down and send me home, they forgot to monitor anything else, and the blood tests showed my kidneys were failing.
I was induced, but the baby's heartrate dropped [to 33!] and I was wheeled in to the operating room.
My daughter Eva was born screaming her heart out, weighing only 4 pounds, 7 ounces.
She had some problems regulating her temperature, and sucking/swallowing, so she was in the NICU but she overcame those over our 3 day stay. On the 3rd day, they discharged us both.
She's been breastfeeding like a champ [and wearin' me out!] but she's healthy just a little petite. :)

Anyhoo, I came here because I wanted to find other women that went through similar things that I did. I do want to have more children someday, and want to learn ways to prevent or at least minimize my risk of getting it again.

[taras mom]

Welcome, Rach. You've come to the right place. Congratulations on the birth of little Eva![:D]

Carol (38)
DH Bill (40)
Tara Mairichi
12/7-12/9, 2002
The Mightiest Little Angel

[akemt]

Rach,

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! I love her name. Feel free to join in any of the conversations you see on this website, or start one of your own. You've come to a great place for support and information.

WELCOME!

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo

[paljane8]

Welcome, Rach. What a traumatic experience you had. I am glad that you and Eva are well. How big is she now? Any pics? My little Janie is only 12 lbs at 6.5 months-Eva is in good company.

Nancy-35
dh-34
ds-8yrs
dd-7yrs
Scott-born 05-14-99 @38 weeks-PE
Janie-born 05-12-03 @37 weeks-PIH, small for gestational age (oligo and low blood flow)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/4/4lbs/

[rach]

quote:

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Originally posted by Paljane8

How big is she now? Any pics?

---

She's 10 pounds 4 ounces now! She's solely breastfed, so she's doing excellent! She'll be 3 months old on the 27th. Wow, time does fly!

http://frontiernet.net/~arioch82/eva
That's a site I made for family and friends that live far away so they can watch her grow. :)

12 pounds at 6 months? She is a little petite thing. How does her pediatrician like that? Eva's doctor thinks she needs to get FATTER and wants her on formula to help fatten her up!

Mom to Eva born @ 35 weeks

http://frontiernet.net/~arioch82/eva

[paljane8]

Rach,

She is SO pretty! She has such a perfect nose.

Janie follows her curve-she is just little. Dh and I have kids to bump every one else up on the percentile scale!

Nancy-35
dh-34
ds-8yrs
dd-7yrs
Scott-born 05-14-99 @38 weeks-PE
Janie-born 05-12-03 @37 weeks-PIH, small for gestational age (oligo and low blood flow)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/4/4lbs/

[julie f]

Rach,

Welcome and congratulations, your little girl is beautiful!

Julie
Zachary James, 7/22/03-7/27/03, born at 26 weeks due to severe pe