Preeclampsia Promise Walk

Here is my story:

As most people already know, I was 30 weeks pregnant when my blood pressure shot up to around 170/110 and I developed preeclampsia. I was in the hospital for a few days and they got it "under control" at around 150/95ish and sent me home on bed rest and basically told me to attach a blood pressure monitor to my bed and watch closely. About 2 hours after we got home I had a panic attack...a big one. I was on the verge of hyperventilating and could not stop shaking. After being on monitors where I heard Mason's heartbeat for 3 days and then suddenly off of them, I FREAKED. Then I took my BP and it was back up to around 170/120 (with blood pressure medication in my system) and I FREAKED even more. We rushed to the hospital...I was 29.5 weeks pregnant and was told upon arrival "you are not going home this time."

The next morning the doctor came in and told me that I would be on hospital bedrest and hooked to a monitor for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was given steriod shots to help Mason develop his lungs at that time. Everytime I went to the bathroom it was in a cup and was measure for protein. It was multiplying rapidly. I had a constant dull headache and felt VERY dizzy anytime I stood up (although I would say "nope, not dizzy" not realizing how serious that was-duh). My blood pressure RISING still. They came in and told me that Mason would be born in the next 2-3 WEEKS and I needed to be transferred to a hospital with a NICU that could handle a baby that early in gestation. So, 2 days later they moved me.

I was told that once the move took place, I would be monitored for a couple of weeks. No big deal, I was becoming a pro at this. I brought an egg crate from home to make my matress comfy. I was on ambien to sleep. I had WONDERFUL AWESOME friends and family that would bring me activities to do. No big deal, right? Wrong.

I called Brady and he decided he would take off work and come get me settled and then go back in. I arrived and not 1 hour later I was on the phone with a specialist from the NICU waiting on teh arrival of Mason THAT DAY, a few hours later. The nurse came in and said the anesthesiolgist would be in shortly for signed waivers. A few minutes later the doctor that would be delivering Mason walked in, he said something like "your preeclampsia is progressing quickly. We might have another day or 2, but the chance you take is that your placenta will rupture and we will have to perform an emergency miracle to save your baby. Do you want to take that chance?" Uh, no! Not like 2 more days would make a huge difference in his development anyway. So, that quickly I went from thinking I had a good 2 weeks to veg and watch TV all day to being prepped for c-section.

I was told not to expect him to cry. He was 10 weeks early after all. His lungs not fully developed. Mason was just way too small to put forth such effort as to cry. They told me he would be immediately taken to NICU on oxygen. I would not see my baby except for a glimpse as they wheeled him out for intubation. I was on a magnesium sulfate drip so that I would not have a seizure or a stroke---and out of it I might add. That stuff is NOT fun! So, I would not see him for over 24 hours.

5:25PM. 11/25/2008. He cried. He screamed. They were able to work on him right in teh room with me. They brought him over to me for a few pictures before taking him to NICU. Best moment of my life. He was purple, but he was screaming. He was mad at this cruel world. And so was I.

That night the sweet nurses wheeled my entire bed down to NICU so I could see my precious baby boy. Wires, tubes everywhere. Alarms sounding. Nurses rushing around. But there was my little baby boy...all 3 pounds of him and he wrapped his fingers around my finger. That was the moment I was hooked to that little boy! :)

The NICU journey was a long one for us. Another story for another time. Luckily Mason remained healthy during that time, but other issues caused him to stay a long while- he didnt want to eat.

I just wanted to share what Preeclampsia did to us. And to think we were SO fortunate that we only had to stay in the NICU 10 weeks. Many times there are 3, 4, 5 months stays. Many times baby does not make it. Many times mom does not make it. Sometimes BOTH. It is a horrific disease. No known cause. No known cure but to deliver the baby. We need more research. We need more awareness for pregnant mom's. Most have never heard of it.

For once in my life I can truly be thankful for a history of high blood pressure or I would have not known to be watching for it either. It could have turned out MUCH worse.