On October 11th, 2023, I underwent carpal tunnel release surgery during pregnancy as I was getting nerve damage and my right hand from it. During the procedure, I was told that my blood pressure was elevated, which was unusual for me. A few days later, Jason and I decided to go to the hospital as I was concerned about baby girl's movement. When we got there, they determined that she was fine, but that my blood pressure was very elevated, 176 over 104. Because I did not have elevated an liver panel or protein, they said it was gestational hypertension, and I was sent home.

A couple hours after being home, I developed a splitting headache, and despite medications, my blood pressure remained very high. We were admitted to labor and delivery, where I was told that I had preeclampsia with severe features and that I would receive steroids and would need to be put on magnesium to help prevent seizures. The goal was to get me to 34 weeks to build lung development in baby girl. The next two days were hell. Magnesium makes you feel very sick, like the flu and paralyzed, and the preeclampsia caused splitting headaches, insanely high blood pressures, blurred double vision, shaking, and I was still throwing up from the hyperemesis. However, at 33 + 5, when I couldn't even really open my eyes to talk to the high risk doctor, they called for an emergency c-section. Baby girl was born and immediately taken to the NICU, and I was still on magnesium and had to remain in my room for another 24 hours before I could see her.

Being a first time mom, a new mom, and so sick from the hyperemesis and preeclampsia, and to not be able to see your baby girl for over a day after she's born, is heart-wrenching. I want to raise funds for the Preeclampsia Foundation so that other women don't have to experience that. I will not only be walking the 140 miles over 90 days, but I will increase it to my blood pressure, 176 over 104. Baby girl is going to be my walking buddy! ❤️