I was extremely exhausted after the birth of my first baby. I was a failed induction after 48 hours of labor. I developed a severe infection and had to be rushed for a C-section. Not long after my care team noticed my urine had turned dark orange/brown. Ran some tests and told me I had preeclampsia. 

I remember being so confused. I had no idea what preeclampsia was. I was put on magnesium for the next 24 hours and Labetalol to control my blood pressure. I was discharged after 5 days in the hospital with strict instructions to check my BP a few times a day. 

48 hours after arriving home I knew something was wrong. I become incredibly anxious, confused, and short of breath. I lay down and tried to rest because I thought feeling this way was normal, given everything I went through. My husband checked my BP and it was 165/99. We called the hospital and they told us to call 911 immediately or get to a hospital now. We raced there and by the time I was admitted (only about an hour later) my BP had rose to 185/110. My O2 sat was 88% and I was hypoxic. I was admitted to the critical care where an X-ray showed at least 50% of my lungs was filled with fluid. They told me I was lucky. 

When your O2 reaches 88 it's a matter of minutes if not hours, before catastrophic injury occurs. Learning the warning signs and how to take my BP saved my life that day.