I had a relatively normal and healthy pregnancy, with the exception of being sick (nausea/vomiting) the entire time. By the time I reached 40 weeks, my baby was measuring a bit on the smaller side and I was being pushed to induce - but I wanted to try to go into labor naturally. However, they did want me to start coming in for NSTs once I reached 40 weeks, which I was more than happy to do.

My first NST showed less activity than they'd like to see from baby. Even though the ultrasound looked perfectly normal, they recommended induction. So in I went - just a day after I turned 40 weeks.

They started with a pill to induce labor, and I eventually got the foley balloon and Pitocin. All in all, it was a very long labor. I was in labor for over 24 hours before it was time to start pushing. I only pushed for about 30 minutes, but baby's heart rate kept dropping every time I pushed. We then attempted the vacuum, which failed. The doctor decided she had to physically push baby back inside me and move to an emergency c-section.

The c-section went well, but my son came out not breathing well. The cord had been wrapped around his neck twice and his stomach once. He went straight to the NICU for help with his breathing and to monitor hematomas on his head from the failed vacuum attempt.

Thankfully, his NICU stay was brief. He was discharged after about four days. I was discharged a day before him. By that point my blood pressure was higher than usual, but not at a concerning level, and I had no other symptoms of hypertension or postpartum preeclampsia.

Because I had a c-section, I had a post-op appointment with my OB a week after delivery to check my stitches and remove my wound vac. It was only then that I found out my blood pressure was not at a concerning level - right around 140/90. I hadn't been monitoring my blood pressure at home (I wasn't really advised to), and I had no other symptoms. If I hadn't gone to that appointment, I wouldn't have known.

My OB advised me to go back to labor and delivery. With a week-old newborn at home, I was hesitant, so I started monitoring my blood pressure that day and told myself I'd go in if it kept rising or if I developed other symptoms. It did keep rising, and even though I still felt fine, I decided it was time to go in.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that since it was so soon after delivery, my husband and baby were both allowed to be with me. When I got to triage, my blood pressure was very high and they found protein in my urine, so I was admitted for postpartum preeclampsia. I was on a magnesium drip for 24 hours and ended up staying a few days while they monitored my blood pressure and adjusted my medication.

Thankfully, I'm now over two years past this. I only need blood pressure medication for a few weeks and haven't had any issues since.

All of this to say: I am so grateful I had that post-op appointment. If I hadn't gone, I would have had no idea I had postpartum preeclampsia, and it could have gotten much worse without treatment.

If you're reading this, please stay on top of your blood pressure postpartum - even if you had a healthy pregnancy, no prior issues, and delivered at full term like I did. It could save your life.