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I feel blessed to have found this site, and to read the stories of other women who have lived to tell about this experience. My name is Kerri and I am the mother of two beautiful children. My first pregnancy ended at 30 weeks with the premature birth of my daughter. She spent 21 days in the NICU. Although small, she survived without any long-term health problems. When my daughter was 12 months old, my husband and I found out that we were expecting our second child, a son. Being a registered nurse and having my first daughter delivered by emergency c-section at 30 weeks, I was cautious as I approached this pregnancy. When I was 35 weeks along, I had my usual prenatal appointment where my physician was concerned about my elevated blood pressure. It was 140/90. He admitted my to the hospital for further testing. The next day, he told me that my 24-hour urine came back for very mild preeclampsia, and decided that I could be managed at home. I remember looking at him, and asking him to take the baby now (as we were already scheduled for a repeat c-section at 38 weeks.) He said that he did not think it was neccesary, and I was discharged home. The next day I felt a terrible headache coming on, and knew that something was wrong. I checked my blood pressure, and it was 160/100. I called my sister-in-law who also happens to be a registered nurse to check it for me. I thought maybe I was crazy. She got a higher reading. I called the Dr. and was transferred to the nurse. She told me to lie on my left side and recheck my BP in an hour. I fell asleep. At 3 am, I awoke with breathing difficulties. I felt as if I could not catch my breath. I called the Dr. who told me to come in and be checked, but he thought it was nothing. My husband remained at home with our daughter. I drove myself to the hospital, and looking back at it now, I don't know how I made it there. In triage my blood pressure was 220/160. I was wheeled it for an emergency c-section. Our son was born at 35 weeks, 4 days and was early, but healthy. I on the other hand, was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit unable to breathe. Fluid had accumulated in my lungs as a result of the preeclampsia. I was placed on a magnesium drip to prevent seizures as well as pitocin to control bleeding. The pitocin was eventually stopped because it relaxed my diaphragm, making it that much more difficult to breathe. As a result, I began to bleed profusely and needed 3 blood transfusions. This was a complete nightmare.Having a baby was supposed to be a happy time, and here I was fighting for my life. After 7 days in the hospital, I was dishcarged home to be with my son. My husband and I would like to have another baby, but I am terrified that I will relive this experience. They say that there is a chance that preeclampsia will happen again, but every pregnancy is different. I am thankful that I survived, and my son did as well. Update... Since I delivered my son, My OB/GYN did some lab work as they found blood clots and infarcts in the placenta. We were very lucky to have made it, since he told me that if I had not been diligent enough to seek treatment, I may have suffered from a placental abruption. I have since learned that I have a prothrombin II gene mutation, which causes excessive clotting as well as an elevated plasma homocysteine level, which I take folic acid daily to help lower it. If I were to get pregnant again, I would need to take daily loveneox injections to thin my blood. As an RN, I know the risks, and feel that maybe God gave me both my children ( a beautiful son and daughter) and I should be happy that my son and I survived! All I can say, is that you should ALWAYS listen to your body, your feelings and your instincts, because in my case, I was right. God bless! Kerri klynnkopaczrn@aol.com |
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