In 2017 preelcampsia came for me at 35 weeks pregnant. I had been experienceing some pretty massive swelling and then my blood pressure went pretty high. I was admitted and had to deliver my first baby at 35 weeks gestation because my blood pressure would not stay down even with medications. Thankfully my first born was delivered healthy and is now a thriving almost 7 year old. I was still feeling pretty crappy after delivery and my blood pressure was still staying high. I spent over 6 weeks on blood pressure medicaiton and then was finally able to stop it. After a lot of thought and weighing the pros and cons and waiting the recommended 18 months before trying again, we pulled the trigger and went for baby #2. We lucked out and I was pregnant again. I started the recommended low dose aspirin to help lessen the effects should preeclampsia strike again. Unfortunately it did, but this time it tried to take my unborn baby. Baby #2 was delivered at 37 weeks and only 4 lbs 11oz. Despite being small and born with an open VSD, she was healthy. She is a healthy, thriving, spicy almost 5 year old. I hit 40 in 2023 and preeclampsia's after effects started to rear their ugly head and mess with my heart, which I knew I was at an even greater risk for. Thankfully I only need to take a low dose of a blood pressure medicine at this time, but it was a wake up call that I need to focus on improving my lifestyle and focus on getting healthier to prevent worsening heart disease and stroke.
The 140over90run is helping to provide funding for blood pressure cuffs as well as further preeclampsia reasearch. If it weren't for my home blood pressure cuff and diligence at checking my blood pressure, we could have had a much different outcome. I am one of the lucky ones that was able to have access to and pruchase a blood pressure cuff to keep at my home. There are pregnant people that don't have the ability to obtain a blood pressure cuff. This is one of the many reasons I participate in the run. I hope that all pregnant people can gain access to blood pressure cuffs. Also, I hope that with all the gains in research, by the time my children are ready to start their families they won't have to worry about preeclampsia.