Let me start out by saying that I'm an older Mom (had my son at 40), and I've had high blood pressure since I was in my 20's. 

When I first got pregnant, the first thing my Dr did was take me off my BP meds.  He told me that my BP would naturally go down during my second trimester, so I would be fine until then- and I was.  But keep in mind that I monitored my BP from home, at least once a day.  Everything was going soooo smooth, and I was getting very excited for my 3rd trimester!

At about 7 months, I noticed that my BP was gradually rising.  I brought this up to my OB at each appt and she never seemed concerned.  Her medical assistant would take my BP (which was always oddly low), and I would pee in a cup, at every single appt.  Then my OB would come in the room, and I would mention that it was strange that my BP was low, because when I take it at home, it's high.  She would just brush it off, and mention to me that there was a little protein in my urine, but nothing to worry about.  "Ok, I trust you... you're the Dr".  This happened at each appt during that 7th and 8th month.

At the end of 8 months (35 weeks), I started getting headaches, and my BP was still rising!  I made another appt to talk about the headaches.  My OB was out for the day, so I saw another one.  His asst took my BP and saw that it was very high.  She had me lay on my left side in the room for 15 mins, and then took it again.  Still high.  The new OB came in and asked what was going on.  I told him about the prior appts, and how the other OB was just brushing me off.  He immediately put me on bedrest, and ordered a 24 hour urine test. 

I was on bedrest for about 3 days, when the new OB called and said they got the results of my 24 hour urine test, and to get the hospital immediately!  I was not happy about going to the hospital, as I had already done an overnight stay about 3 weeks prior due to the signs of pre-eclampsia- stayed the night- and it cost me over $1,000 (WITH INS!!!).  Regardless, I went to the hospital.  They hooked me up to monitors, BP cuffs, IV's, everything.  According to the OB (a 3rd one, by the way), I was going to have my baby the next day so we were going to start the labor process.  They inserted Cervadil and my contractions started.  I went through about 4 hours of labor, when the OB called and said I needed to have this baby NOW!  Within 20 mins I was having an emergency c-section!

Caden was born on June 18th, 2012 at 11:16pm, and I was 36.3 months pregnant.  He was only 4 lbs 8 oz and had a little trouble breathing, so off to the NICU he went.  He ended up spending 17 days there, but the nurses were AMAZING, and I felt that he was in the best hands possible! 

He is now 20 months old, and so smart!!  You would never guess that this little guy was a preemie! 

I would love to have another child, but the thought of going through that again frightens me to the core!!