I walk for my son, Owen, who passed away at 4 days old from complications from preeclampsia. I hadn't even heard of preeclampsia until I had to go to the emergency room because my blood pressure was high and my hands were swollen. I was only 25 weeks pregnant. I spent 24 hours on a magnesium drip, which I can say was not fun. I spent 42 days in the hospital. Some days they took my blood pressure every 4 hours (those were good days) and some days every 10 minutes, giving me medicine while we all hoped and prayed my blood pressure would go down.

I faced a lot of complications while I was there. I got three blood clots and one of them was a deep vein clot, all in my arms. I got two shots in my stomach a day of blood thinners. My stomach looked like a graveyard of bruises. The nurses would come to take my blood, get into the vein, and nothing would come out. They said some of my veins started to act like valves.

I had never been sick like this in my life and I was terrified for my baby.

On New Year's Eve my blood pressure finally became uncontrollable and they said I would deliver the next day. Because of the blood clots, they decided it was too dangerous to do a spinal, so I had to be put under general anesthesia. We did not get to see our boy be born. Since I delivered on magnesium I didn't get to see Owen until the next day.

He was the most beautiful baby. He looked just like his daddy. He was so small at 30 weeks, but I was shocked at how big he was. Only 2 pounds and 6 ounces but 14 inches long. His little body was formed perfectly. His little hands grabbed for ours. I went to read to him and his precious little arms kept popping up in his little isolette.

He developed a brain bleed on his fourth day of life and passed away in my arms.

I am still so thankful for the 4 days that we got to spend with our precious Owen. He was curious and always reaching for mom and dad and ganny. We loved him like you wouldn't believe.

I am so thankful for the support of my family and my community during these times. My mom and Josh were with me every single day. Members from Kingwood Church of Christ came to visit me. My friends and family came to visit. Josh's company he works for, Coolsys, donated money that allowed us to put Owen to rest and to take the time we needed to grieve. I am forever greatful for all of these people.

I spent 42 days in the hospital and did not get to bring my baby home. It is my hope that we can fund more research to help babies and moms. Preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome affect 5-8% of pregnancies and we still don't really understand it. So many moms and families have stories of preeclampsia if you ask. It may have changed their birth plan, they may have had their baby spend time in the nicu, they may have had to deliver early. All of these things are devistating. It is my hope that we can understand and prevent this horrible condition.