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Preeclampsia often provokes feelings of great loss, despair or confusion. In some cases, it is a traumatic event that leads to enormous emotional, economic or physical burdens. Fortunately, this website provides a place of learning and healing among the growing community of people who share an experience with preeclampsia.

Here you will find the face of preeclampsia and the many personal accounts of both survival and tragedy. Feel free to read and comment on their stories, view their photos, and take the opportunity to connect with them to share your story. Many people have found helpful support through this community. We hope you will too.

Please consider sending us your story for inclusion on this page.

MY STORY, My husband and I lost our son in march of 2003 due to

Posted On Thursday, August 21, 2003  by Cynthia

MY STORY, My husband and I lost our son in march of 2003 due to severe preeclampsia,He was our only child Our son Brendan Jay was born 2/4/2003 he lived for 26 days he was taken by emergency c/section at just 24 weeks gestation.We all thought he was going to make it he was doing well to be so premature then he got premature septic shock from 2 infections he got.The sepis began shutting down all his vital organs, He began to code no matter what the doctors ... Read more

I was in going into my sixth month of pregnancy when I noticed my feet

Posted On Wednesday, August 20, 2003  by

I was in going into my sixth month of pregnancy when I noticed my feet had swollen to the size of a mid size bear. By watching the health channel a few night before and seeing a mother loose her baby to preeclampsia, it made me aware that something may be wrong with me. This was a fourth child and I had never experienced swelling with any of the others. Well I contacted my doctor and they scheduled an appointment for me the next morning. When I went to the doctors office they checked my bloo... Read more

HI, Well i am 22 and was wanting a child the first time i got

Posted On Tuesday, August 19, 2003  by Megan

HI, Well i am 22 and was wanting a child the first time i got pregnant i lost it, but when i got pregnant the second time i thought great until i lost the twin of my little boy. Everything seemed to be going well i found out i was having a boy and was over the moon but then at about 26 weeks i realised i was havinf swollen legs in fact my whole body was swollen and i had put on a lot of weight. I kept asking the doctor and a midwife about it and they just said 'it is natural when you ar... Read more

I'm not the best pregnant lady. If I had any doubts about that, I'm certain

Posted On Monday, August 18, 2003  by

I'm not the best pregnant lady. If I had any doubts about that, I'm certain now. My first pregnancy was a happy surprise, and our tip-off was the morning sickness that began before my first positive pregnancy test. I worked in the Women's clinic where I received my health care, and my co-workers had a certain glee when I'd have to drop the phone and bolt for the bathroom. "The joys of pregnancy" they'd call after me. The nausea persisted until about 25 weeks, and I had five dream weeks un... Read more

It was my third pregnancy and I was carrying twins. I was extremely sick. I

Posted On Friday, August 15, 2003  by Rachel

It was my third pregnancy and I was carrying twins. I was extremely sick. I could not eat, cook, or smell any food without getting sick. I could not change a wet diaper on my 2 year old much less any thing else. I lost 12 pounds and was still 2 pounds lighter at delivery than I was when I became pregnant. At 12 weeks I woke up with blood pouring out of me. I went to the OB office thinking that I had lost the babies and wondering why God gave them to me just to take them away before I e... Read more

I want to share my story because it was a very scary experience to go

Posted On Thursday, August 14, 2003  by Eden

I want to share my story because it was a very scary experience to go through preeclampsia and not know what it meant. I got pregnant in March 2001 thinking nothing more than I can't wait to have this baby. Little did I know that I was going to have an abnormal end to my pregnancy. My due date was December 20th and all I thought was poor baby will have to share her birthday with Christmas. In the beginning of September my doctor told me that I was gaining to much weight and gave me a diet to ... Read more

I knew nothing about preeclampsia PE until my first experience with it when I was

Posted On Friday, August 08, 2003  by

I knew nothing about preeclampsia (PE)until my first experience with it when I was pregnant with my 3rd child. I developed high bp and +2 protein in my urine at 36 weeks. I was put on bedrest. My 38th week I went into the early phase of labor. I went in to see my dr. on Thurs. afternoon. She scheduled an induction for the next day. When I got to the hospital the next morning, My bp was 165/110 and my protein was +4. I remember seeing flashing lights and what looked like sun spots and be... Read more

I was 28 weeks into my first pregnancy when I was admitted to the hospital

Posted On Thursday, August 07, 2003  by

I was 28 weeks into my first pregnancy when I was admitted to the hospital due to Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Oligodramnios (low amnio fluid). This was my first pregnancy at 33 years of age and I had considered myself very blessed up until that point because I thought I was very healthy and did not have any morning sickness. I now know that I took a lot of things for granted, and should have questioned a lot of things that were going on with my body. I had been reading my pregnancy... Read more

I am a 28 year old, who is pregnant for the second time. When I

Posted On Wednesday, August 06, 2003  by

I am a 28 year old, who is pregnant for the second time. When I was 24 I delivered my first son, in about the 30th week of pregnancy i developed high blood pressure, then to follow extremely high levels of protien in my urine, also gaining a total of 53 lbs.(starting the pregnancy at 97 lbs). My son was born 2 weeks early after 8 weeks of bedrest. Most of the doctors expected my condition to get better but to surprise everone it became dangerous. 4 days post delivery My blood pressure went up t... Read more

Hi I just had my baby at 27 weeks on June 2nd, and he's finally

Posted On Monday, August 04, 2003  by

Hi! I just had my baby at 27 weeks on June 2nd, and he's finally coming home this week, around August 10th! When he was born, he didn't need a ventilator, and I actually did get to hear him cry. He's continually gained weight, except for hitting a plateau recently, then climbing 4 ounces in a day! He weighed 1 lb 11 oz at birth, and he was 13 1/2" long, and his head was 9" around. Here's what happened: Around the second month, I knew something wasn't right. Keep in mind that, throughout th... Read more

It was really frustrating. My husband is a paramedic and we kept taking my blood

Posted On Thursday, July 31, 2003  by Erica

It was really frustrating. My husband is a paramedic and we kept taking my blood pressure. It was steadily increasing. I was swelling (edema) and I felt terrible. My doctor wasn't taking us seriously. They NEVER checked my urine for protein. We kept telling her that my blood pressure was in the 140/90's, but everytime I was in clinic it was 120/80. Which still isn't normal. One day I woke up with a headache that wouldn't go away with tyenol. I went in to the hospital and was diagnosed wit... Read more

I am a 35 year old Caucasian woman who had an uneventful first pregnancy and

Posted On Thursday, July 31, 2003  by

I am a 35 year old Caucasian woman who had an uneventful first pregnancy and delivery at 33 years old. My husband Gavin and I wanted another baby, and thought it would be as easy as the first time. But this pregnancy was different from the very beginning. I had terrible morning sickness for the first 5 months, which finally eased up around the 26th week. I enjoyed about one month of feeling good, then I began developing early signs of preeclampsia. In my 29th week, I began spilling protein i... Read more

Hi. I am a 24 year old woman, and my mom had preeclampsia when she

Posted On Thursday, July 31, 2003  by

Hi. I am a 24 year old woman, and my mom had preeclampsia when she was pregnant with me. It developed in her second trimester ( I think) She had swelling in her wrists and ankles. I was born three weeks early. It was a very difficult birth because after I was born my mom lost a lot of blood and she needed to have blood transfusions, which saved her life! She had to stay in the hospital for a week or so after giving birth. I was 4pds 15 oz. She fortunately did not have preeclampsia with my two yo... Read more

At 21 weeks, I had swollen a lot at work and I called the ob.

Posted On Wednesday, July 30, 2003  by

At 21 weeks, I had swollen a lot at work and I called the ob. They wanted me to come in asap for a blood pressure check and a urine check. No protein, elevated bp, dr said come back in a week. Came back and BP was a little better. I remember telling the ob my bp wasn't that bad... glad she knew otherwise. At 28 weeks I came home from a rough day teaching school and my bp was 154/94. I called the ob's office but my dr was at a delivery. They had me lay down and monitor it hourly. If it didn't ... Read more

II was a single 38 year old single woman who had aadenomyosis. During my pregnancy

Posted On Monday, July 28, 2003  by

II was a single 38 year old single woman who had aadenomyosis. During my pregnancy I had many cramps and pains, which I contributed to the adenomyosis. As I entered into my 36th week - I suddenly gained 12 pounds in 1 week which did not raise suspicion to the Dr but it did me. Towards the end of that same week, I had what I thought were braxton hicks contractions. I also had trouble breathing. I felt like my oxygen had been cut off, I was lightheaded and dizzy. Then on the Sunday ni... Read more

My pregnancy went so well until about my 7th month. Then my ankles swelled to

Posted On Monday, July 28, 2003  by Kristen

My pregnancy went so well until about my 7th month. Then my ankles swelled to the size of canteloupes! My doctor could not detect any problem, so she just put me on bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy, which didn't last long. On August 26, 2002, I went into labor. My baby wasn't due until October of 2002. I have never been more scared in my life. This was my first pregnancy, and we were at the hospital almost two months early! My daughter came out okay though, weighing in at 4 pound... Read more

I was 34 weeks pregnant at the time July 9 2003. I was single and

Posted On Saturday, July 26, 2003  by Christine

I was 34 weeks pregnant at the time July 9 2003. I was single and 26. Never in mylife had I looked foward to anything as much as the arrival of my son, Nicolas. I thought I was prepared for everything. I had taken care of work, insurance, childcare, everything. Sure I was a little anxious about bills and my appetite was waning from the anxiety but physically I felt great. I never smoked or drank in my life I exercised everyday, water aerobics and walking. Everything was to be perfect I pl... Read more

I had preeclampsia with my first pregnancy. I delivered at 36 weeks. My baby was

Posted On Tuesday, July 22, 2003  by

I had preeclampsia with my first pregnancy. I delivered at 36 weeks. My baby was healthy thank God. She weighed 4lbs and 5 ounces. she was 17 and 1/4 inches long. She is now 3 years old, I want another baby but am scared that my lfe and that of the bay would be in danger. I have to think that I already have a child that needs taking care of I don't want to risk leaving her alone. Can someone give me advice?... Read more

I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter in November 1998. Her father

Posted On Monday, July 21, 2003  by

I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter in November 1998. Her father and I were very happy to be starting a family together. I worked until Mothers Day of 1999 when at about 7 months my feet were starting to swell a lot and it wouldn't go away, other than the swelling all had been very normal and uncomplicated. I went to my regular dr appt on Tuesday June 15, 1999 at 34wks 3 days and had a +1 protein but all else looked normal. I had to go back on the 18th at 34wks 6days, BP was st... Read more

I am an example of early intervention by a nurse who knew what to look

Posted On Thursday, July 17, 2003  by

I am an example of early intervention by a nurse who knew what to look for. I was diagnosed with preclampsia in the 30th week of pregnancy. Up to that point, the whole pregnancy was unremarkable. Not even morning sickness. Then a routine visit showed protein in my urine. My blood pressure was normal, but because of a sudden increase in weight, the head nurse was suspicious. Thank goodness she was. Two hours later I was in hospital for more tests. I was sent home 2 days later. While my blood ... Read more


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I hadn’t 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 un...

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