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Erica Loop - Pittsburgh, PA.
My husband and I went in for my 37th week checkup when I was told that I had
preeclampsia and that I would be delivering some time within the next day.
My blood pressure which had been 110/70 for my whole pregnancy had skyrocketed,
there was suddenly protein in my urine, and the swelling in my feet and hands
had also taken over my face (I gained six pounds my last week of pregnancy-
mostly water).
Terrified, I went to my hospital's birthing center to be
induced. I was given pitocin to start contractions and magnesium sulfate for
the preeclampsia (the doctor told me that it would make me feel bad, I just
wasn't prepared for feeling like I had been dragged behind a car while having
the flu). About ten hours later my son ian was born.
I was thrilled two days
later when we were sent home from the hospital. The following day I developed
a headache. Though not severe, my doctor felt it wise for me to go back to
the hospital for a check. My blood pressure had risen again and my liver
enzyme tests were looking pretty bad, since I was told that I must be
readmitted and placed back on the mag.
I desperately wanted to be at home with
my husband and new son. I spent much of the next twenty four hours crying in
my hospital bed. It seemed like every nurse and every doctor was telling me
something different. Finally I was allowed to go home.
Two days later my blood
pressure was normal. Three days after that I went back into the office for a
check up. Again there was protein in my urine (I don't know what two plus
protein means, but none of the medical staff seemed happy about it). Also, my
bp had risen to 160/110. When my doctor spoke of readmitting me to the
hospital I broke down sobbing.
Not only was I sad, but I was scared and felt
like a horrible mother for having to be away from my son. I was allowed to go
home, with a prescribtion for labetalol and the promise that I would stay on
bedrest and have a home nurse visit.
It has been almost four weeks since I had Ian, there is still a trace amount
of protein in my urine, but my doctor seems optimistic. Also, my blood
pressure is still not normal. This is not how I had planned the birth of my
son, but I am finally getting to be a mom.
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