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Our Stories-Our Stories-How to Share Your Story Jenn I knew of the major signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia before becoming pregnant. I had told my OB about my grandmother having severe pre-eclampsia with her third pregnancy. I did not know until after experiencing pre-eclampsia myself that several women on my husband's side of the family had the condition during their pregnancies (aunt, sister and grandmother). The first trimester i had the usual nausea and vomiting , which subsided. I had been gaining weight fast right from the beginning. Ten pounds in the first trimester. My blood pressure was a little high--but I have had white coat syndrome in the past--my blood pressure elevates in the office and is better when taken at home. At every visit I had to lay on my left side so that they could obtain an accurate blood pressure. At about 24 weeks I was told that I could start rotating between doctors for my prenatal visits. I had been starting to gain weight quickly 6-10 pounds in a month. I told the doctor --it was excess fluids. I had not been overeating and watched my calorie intake and everything I ate carefully . My feet and hands were swollen --especially when I got home from work. I knew something was wrong although reassured at my prenatal visits that I was ok. At 28 weeks I went to my routine visit gaining another 10 pounds, again I told the doctor it was excess fliuds and that my feet become very swollen while on my feet at work. That week I was on vacation and had kept my feet propped up and I told the doctor this. The checked for protein in my urine at every visit and none was present then. For weeks I had been snoring very loudly and very tired but I did not think of these as pre-eclamptic symptoms. One week after my doctors appointment I started to have headaches that would not go away . I had my husband take my blood pressure it was 180/120. We called the doctor on call, and went stright to the ER. My protein was only 1+ but they did a 24 hour urine. The doctor on call was upset reguarding the excess fluids--when did this start? I told him and I told him that I did tell the other doctors at my prenatal visits. He reviewed the chart and still seemed upset. I felt so horrible as if I did something wrong. I was trying to do everything I could, and even thought long before the doctors did that I was having symptoms that could lead to pre-eclampsia--and told them about how I was concerned about the excess fluids. At 29 weeks I was in the hospital for 4 days before they sent me home on bedrest. I was home for 48 hours before going to see the doctor again this time with shortness of breath --not relieved by my inhaler -as I have asthma. I was supposed to see him later in the day but I called for an earlier appointment. I was readmitted to the hospital and a few hours later transferred to a hospital that could take care of premature infants. That hospital kept me on bedrest and blood pressure medication with careful monitoring of myself and the baby. I was sent home at 34 1/2 weeks gestation. The next day I had a blood pressure check at the doctor's office and some lab work taken. I returned to the office two days later and the lab work came back abnormal. I was in the hospital again. My son was born by c-section at 35 weeks gestation on July 3, 2000. He is doing very well and developing normally. Back to Our Stories
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