I started checking my blood pressure 2-3 times per week at 28 weeks gestation after being diagnosed with fetal growth restriction. At 30 weeks 3 days, I got a reading of 148/97. We measured it multiple times. But we kept getting readings in that range. I went into the hospital, where they took a urine sample and found high protein, ultimately leading to my diagnosis of preeclampsia. 

I remember when we were waiting for the results of the urine test. All I could think was, I hope I don’t have preeclampsia. I didn’t know much about preeclampsia, but I knew it was scary and deadly. I was absolutely terrified. But before long, the nurses and doctors came in and told me that I had it.

After a 24 hour stay, during which they gave me steroid shots that help baby’s lungs develop in case I have to deliver early (within a week), I was sent home and told to continue monitoring my symptoms and blood pressure. About a day later, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling some chest pain and had a blood pressure reading of 166/103. 

This night was the first time it had snowed in our area in 3 years. My parents were so worried about us driving on the roads in the middle of the night and begged us to call an ambulance. We decided to drive and made it safely to the hospital. The whole time my mind was just racing. I couldn’t believe how high my blood pressure had gotten. Was I going to be ok? Were they going to have to deliver the baby? 

At 30 weeks and 5 days, I was back in the hospital. I was put on magnesium (for short, mag), which was a horrible experience. I was so tired, I kept getting hot and cold, I couldn’t eat anything (only liquids were allowed to be consumed) or get up to go to the bathroom while on mag. At this point the doctors said I’ll have to stay in the hospital until delivery- with a goal of making it to and delivering at 34 weeks. 

This felt so daunting. I don’t think anyone likes the idea of having to stay in the hospital for a while. My husband and mom talked about taking turns to sleep in the room with me so I didn’t have to be alone over the next 4 weeks. I kept thinking, what was I going to do to keep myself occupied all day. I couldn’t believe how quickly my pregnancy experience was changing. 

In the hospital, every day they pricked me to take a blood sample to check my liver enzymes, platelets, and other things. My body was starting to swell and the pricks were painful because they’d have a hard time finding a good vein, so I’d get pricked multiple times before they could get a blood sample. 4 days in, they started having to try getting blood samples from my feet because of how many sore spots I had on my arms. I hated having to get pricked every day, sometimes multiple times a day. I dreaded it every morning. 

At 31 weeks and 1 day, my liver enzymes got too high and they said I’d need to be induced for my own safety. My platelet levels ended up dropping as well, meaning I had developed HELLP syndrome. 

At this point, I was panicking. After my first experience on mag, I was absolutely terrified imagining delivering baby while on mag. I also just was shocked and scared imagining having to deliver baby so early. What would that mean for the both of us? Why was this happening to us? It wasn’t fair. I felt like my body was failing us. Baby was doing just fine, but I felt like we had to force her out because of what was happening to me. It took several weeks before I realized that my body didn’t fail me, it saved us by signaling and letting the doctors know that I wasn’t ok. 

I was put back on mag and they did an ultrasound before starting the induction. Baby was in a transverse position so we ended up having to do a c-section. Delivery luckily went smoothly. Afterwards, my blood pressure remained high for about a week, which felt scary. I relied heavily on my husband for emotional support during this time. I broke down every time I’d get a high reading, and he’d just hold me through it. Eventually my blood pressure went down over time and I was able to go off the blood pressure medication. Our baby was delivered 9 weeks early and was in the NICU for about 52 days. She is now home and healthy and growing. 

I can’t imagine how different things might have looked if I wasn’t checking my blood pressure at home. My might have preeclampsia gotten become more severe before it was caught. I am sharing my story in hopes that I can encourage other pregnant people to take charge of their health and measure their blood pressure at home just to be safe.